Do Y'all Do This?

Man, I'll be honest. This holiday season, I've just really found myself down in the dumps a lot! Why? This is such a cheery time of year. I know I know. I should be ashamed of myself.

I, like most of you, get so stinkin' wrapped up in buying gifts for people. Then, I end up all sad that I can't do everything for them that I want. The money just won't stretch for everything you know? Man, it's the pits!

I can honestly say that I'm not all about receiving gifts. I don't even consider what I would like to have and when asked what I want, I have to rack my brain to come up with a couple things I'd like. I LOVE...L.O.V.E. to make people happy. I love to see their faces light up when they open a gift that I've purchased or made with love; one that I've really put a lot of thought or time into. It is so awesome! It pains me that I can't buy one of everything I want to buy for all of my family and friends.

But, over the past several days, I've really been hearing that simple saying in my head, "Jesus is the REASON for the SEASON!" Christmas is not and never has been about gifts. It's certainly not about receiving gifts...and it really isn't about giving - when it comes to the presents.

CHRISTmas is about thanking God for sending us His ONLY Son. It's about celebrating His birth. It's about the GIVER...of the Ultimate Gift! Without Him, this life just simply would.not.be!

Giving gifts is great...serving the community is great...giving and reaching out to others is great and I do believe it is our duty as Christians. But, as we do this, don't forget the true meaning of this special time of year. CHRISTmas - NOT "Xmas" - NOT "Happy Holidays" - But, C.H.R.I.S.T.mas.

It is all about Christ our Lord!

As you read this, my prayer for you is that you will take a moment to focus on the receiving part of Christmas. Receive the gift of God's love...a love so great for you - so immeasurable - that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you.

There is NO love greater than that!

Jesus & Santa...NO comparison!

Why Jesus is Better Than Santa Claus

*Santa lives at the North Pole... JESUS is everywhere.

*Santa rides in a sleigh... JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

*Santa comes but once a year... JESUS is an ever present help.

*Santa fills your stockings with goodies... JESUS supplies all your needs.

*You have to wait in line to see Santa... JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

*Santa lets you sit on his lap... JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

*Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"... JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our head.

*Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly... JESUS has a heart full of love.

*All Santa can offer is HO HO HO... JESUS offers health, help and hope.

*Santa says "You better not cry"... JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

*Santa's little helpers make toys... JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

*Santa may make you chuckle but...JESUS gives you a joy that is your strength.

*While Santa puts gifts under your tree... JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

added by me: *Santa is coming to town - for one night...JESUS is coming to rule and reign for all eternity!

Wouldn't you rather have JESUS?

It's obvious there is really no comparison! Jesus is still the reason for the season!!

Talking Two's

I always said I would never claim the "terrible two's" and label my child with that.

I have to admit that I have slipped up a couple of times with "t t" and I immediately fuss at myself in my mind for doing it. Someone will ask me how old she is and I will answer, "She's two - and every bit of it!"

But, excuse me...that isn't even what this post is about. I just wanted to discuss the "Talking Two's" instead. This is such a neat age in so many ways because of how much their vocabulary is growing.

I have to make note of several things she says that are just precious so that I don't forget. So, I thought I would try and list them 10 at a time, in no particular order.

1. "I want to wide the alligator." (elevator)

2. "Atchooally (actually) I think I need to."

3. "Let's hit da woad Jack." (when we are about to leave)

4. "My house is booootiful. Mommy, what you do to it?" (after we decorated for Christmas)

5. "I not a girl! I a LADY!"

6. Where does Jesus live E? "In my heart." Where do you live E? "In my Georgia."

7. E, are you ready to go? "I got eat my bwekfass first." (breakfast)

8. "Give so&so a hug." "No mommy, I alweddy gib dem hugs. I did!"

9. She is beginning to have a say-so in what she wears and wants to pick out her shoes and outfits. The other day, her shoes didn't match her outfit so she put them on, went to the mirror and looked and said, "Oh mommy - dey fine! I wear dem tonight k?"

10. Lastnight, she was spinning around in circles saying, "I makin' myself dizzy." She stopped and looked up and said, "Whoa! Daddy, what's da house doin'?"

"Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 19:14

Still Here

Don't give up me y'all! I know I know it's been a while since my last post and I need to start posting regularly again.

I have so much to talk about...really - LOTS - it's just finding the time to share it all.

But, life is happening right now and it is busy, which is good. I am busy with candle shows and gearing up for the Christmas season as we all are.

But, my blog has been on my mind. I hope you've missed me...(wink)

I'll be back very soon so keep checking!

The B-I-B-L-E

I was reading my Bible yesterday morning and E squatted by the chair and said, "Mommy, weed to me bout Daniel!"

I asked her what she knew about Daniel and who he was.

And she said, "da lions...ROAR!!"

Yea - she does listen in Sunday School! We are off to a great start folks!

"They got him. Da lions got 'im." Okay, so she kinda got the main part of the story wrong. They didn't get him. But, she knew who he was!

This mommy won't be picky just yet.

This face...

If you've never seen the face of an angel...well, now you have.

The Cup or the Coffee?

I received the following story in an email today and I just had to share it because it is so very true. Please feel free to share your thoughts.

A group of alumni, all highly established in their respective careers, got together for a visit with their old university professor. The conversation soon turned to complaints about the endless stress of work and life in general.Offering his guests coffee, the professor went into the kitchen and soon returned with a large pot of coffee and an eclectic assortment of cups: porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal - some plain, some expensive, some quite exquisite. Quietly he told them to help themselves to some fresh coffee.When each of his former students had a cup of coffee in hand, the old professor quietly cleared his throat and began to patiently address th e small gathering. ''You may have noticed that all of the nicer looking cups were taken up first, leaving behind the plainer and cheaper ones. While it is only natural for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is actually the source of much of your stress-related problems." He continued. "Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In fact, the cup merely disguises or dresses up what we drink. What each of you really wanted was coffee, not a cup, but you instinctively went for the best cups. Then you began eyeing each other's cups.'' ''Now consider this: Life is coffee. Jobs, money, and position in society are merely cups. They are just tools to shape and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not truly define nor change the quality of the Life we live. Often, by concentrating only on the cup,we fail to enjoy the coffee that God has provided us. God brews the coffee, but he does not supply the cups. Enjoy your coffee!'' The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything. So please remember: Live simply. Love generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. Leave the Rest to God. And remember - the richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.

"Lord, let me focus on the coffee and not the cups ~ not the "things" of this world: the best of this and the best of that...But, to focus on this life in which you have blessed me with! Regardless of what avenues you take to get my blessings to me, the fact is that you have brewed me up a Life of really great coffee! Help me to sit back and relax while I enjoy the coffee you've provided. But, most importantly, help me Leave the Rest to You! Who needs the fancy "cups" when I've already got the Maker?!!"