The Day Time Stood Still

Upon hearing the words, my heart began to pound. 

The world kept spinning, but for me time stood still.

Crash?

Ejected?

Hospital?

I could hear his voice, "Honey, I had to punch out.  I'm alive."  

And all I could do was say with disbelief, "What?  What happened?  You WHAT???"

"I have to go.  I'm alive.  I love you."

And with that, the call ended.

This wasn't how our afternoon was supposed to go.  Was it?

Not five minutes before, I was on the phone talking to a nice man about buying a puppy dog.

I'd eaten lunch with the kiddos.

McDonald's. 

Put in another load of laundry.

Read the kids a book.

Normal.

Normal.

And more Normal.

But receiving that phone call?  Not normal.

And I didn't know how to react.

"Wait!  I want a do-over!  I want those five minutes back, please!  Rewrite that script!"

It was almost an out of body experience.

Life came to a screeching halt.

Breathing became priority.

In.  Out.

In.  Out.

Then I realized what I was saying while tears coursed down my cheeks:  "Thank you, Lord!  You are so good, Lord!  Thank you, Jesus!!  Your mercy is unfathomable, Lord!"

Because that call could have been much, much worse.  

And the outcome could have been much, much worse.

But it wasn't.

It isn't.

Because God is much, much more than I even imagined He could be.

Because at my darkest point today, I was able to feel His hands holding me up.  

Whispering in my ear.  "Press into Me.  I am here.  I am with your husband.  He is mine."

And as I listened even closer, I heard this:

"Be still and know that I am God."

And I realized that nothing comes to me that hasn't filtered through God's hand first.  

His world didn't stand still at a phone call today.

He knew what was going on.

He was present.

Upon trouble.

Upon ejection.

Upon ER waiting time.

He was there.

He is here.

Today I realized that my God is WAY bigger than I had imagined. I realized that I had boxed God into how I thought He "worked." 

I realized that His grace and mercy abound and are much, much bigger than I can ever comprehend.

Though I do not deserve it, He loves me.

And His grace and mercy abound. 

They simply runneth over.

And today, they covered me.

As a Christian, I thought I "got it."  I thought I "got" God's mercy, His plan, His salvation, His love.

Apparently He is much, much bigger than I ever imagined or dreamed He could be.

And now I wonder...

Will I ever really "get" God?  

Do I need to?  

Grace Flows Down  

Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound
Amazing Love
now flowing down
From hands and feet
that were nailed to the tree
As grace flows down, it covers me.
It covers me
It covers me
It covers me
As grace flows down, it covers me."

Attributes of God Free Printable

Our Greatest Gift has arrived!  

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

If you, like me, are avoiding cleaning up all the wrapping paper, bows, bags, tissue paper and all the small rubber bands, screws, and plasticky thingies that require untold hours of manipulation to set free the toys within that wrapping paper, then you'll enjoy this gift from me.

It requires no unwrapping.  

No clean up whatsoever.   

No wrestling with packaging. 

Just a quick download.

The Attributes of God free printable!

I thought you might like to have all of God's attributes on an easy to find, all in one place, document.  

Unless, of course, you'd like to come to my blog each time you're trying to think of the attribute.  And search.  And scroll through lots of other posts.  And search some more.  

If you have that kind of free time, let me know.  I'd like to know how you do it.

For the rest of us, I've created an all-in-one sheet.

Kinda like our Lord God.  All-in-one!  All-I-need in one! 

Enjoy the Attributes of God download.  I pray it is a blessing to you. 

But, you still have to come back often and see what the Greyhaired Momma's up to!

Wishing you many blessings today and everyday...

Attributes of God -- Day 25

Loving -- The attribute of God which causes Him to give Himself for another, even to the laying down of His own life.  This attribute causes Him to desire the other's highest good to His glory.  This love is not based upon the worth, response, or merit of the object being loved.

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:

   “I have loved you with an everlasting love;
   I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

Jeremiah 31:3

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Romans 5:8

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 

1 John 4:8

O Come Let Us Adore Him!!

     At that time, the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.  (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  All returned to their own towns to register for this census.  And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home.  He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.  He took with him Mary, his fiancee, who was obviously pregnant by this time.

      And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.  She gave birth to her first child, a son.  She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.

      That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly, and angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them.  

     They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them.  "Don't be afraid!" he said.  "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!  The Savior -- yes, the Messiah, the Lord -- has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!  And this is how you will recognize him:  You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"  Suddenly the angel was joined by a vast host of others -- the armies of heaven -- praising God:

             "Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and peace on earth to all whom God favors."

     When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "come on, let's go to Bethlehem!  Let's see the wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

     They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph.  And here was the baby, lying in the manger.  Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.  All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often.  

     The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.

Luke 2:1-20

Merry CHRISTmas!

Attributes of God -- Day 24

Jealous -- God is unwilling to share His glory with any other creature or give up His redeemed people.

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; 

for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God...

Exodus 20:5

Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, 

whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. 

Exodus 34:14

Attributes of God -- Day 23

Faithful -- God is always true to His promises.  He cannot lie.  He can never draw back from His promises of blessing or of judgment.  Since He cannot lie, He is totally steadfast to what He has spoken.

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; 

he is the faithful God, 

keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations 

of those who love him and keep his commandments. 

Deuteronomy 7:9

... if we are faithless,
   he remains faithful,
   for he cannot disown himself. 

2 Timothy 2:13

Attributes of God -- Day 22

Truthful -- All that God says is reality.  Whether believed by man or not, whether seen as reality or not, if it is spoken by God, it is reality.  Whatever He speaks becomes truth, as we know it.

Into your hands I commit my spirit;
   deliver me, LORD, my faithful God. 

Psalm 31:5

... in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, 

promised before the beginning of time...

Titus 1:2

Attributes of God -- Day 21

Good -- This attribute of God causes Him to give to others in a way which is not limited by what the recipients deserve.

The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, 

the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang:

   “He is good; his love endures forever.”

2 Chronicles 5:13

Praise the LORD.

   Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
   his love endures forever.

Psalm 106:1

Attributes of God -- Day 20

Wrathful -- There is within God a hatred for all that is unrighteous and an unquenchable desire to punish all unrighteousness.  Whatever is inconsistent with Him must ultimately be consumed. 

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” 

Exodus 34:6-7

Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, “Should you help the wicked and make alliances with those 

who hate the LORD? 

Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is on you. 

2 Chronicles 19:2

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.  

Romans 1:18

Attributes of God -- Day 19

Longsuffering -- God's righteous anger is slow to be kindled against those who fail to listen to His warnings or to obey His instructions.  The eternal longing for the highest good for His creatures holds back His holy justice. 

‘The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ 

Numbers 14:18

'The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.' 

2 Peter 3:9

Attributes of God -- Day 18

Wise -- God's actions are based on His character which allows Him to choose righteous ends and to make fitting plans to achieve those ends. 

A person too poor to present such an offering
   selects wood that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
   to set up an idol that will not topple. 

Isaiah 40:20

Praise be to the name of God 

for ever and ever;
   wisdom and power are his. 

Daniel 2:20

Attributes of God -- Day 17

Merciful -- God is an actively compassionate being.  In His actions, He responds in a compassionate way toward those who have opposed His will in their pursuit of their own way.

... and with you, Lord, is unfailing love;
and, You reward everyone
   according to what they have done.

Psalm 62:12

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
   love and faithfulness go before you. 

Psalm 89:14

What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses,

   “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
   and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

Romans 9:14-16

Attributes of God -- Day 16

Just -- In all of His actions, God acts with fairness.  Whether He deals with man, angels, or demons, He acts in total equity by rewarding righteousness and punishing sin.  Since He knows all, every decree is absolutely just.

‘The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ Numbers 14:18

God is not human, that he should lie,
   not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
   Does he promise and not fulfill? 

Numbers 23:19

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
   love and faithfulness go before you. 

Psalm 89:14

Lights video

If you subscribe to receive my blog posts directly into your email box, you didn't receive the video that was embedded in the Lights post.

You need to go to the blog and see that video! 
I can't think of any better way to spend 3 minutes.
Well, I can think of better ways:  catching up on my Attributes posts, reading your Bible, praying, lovin' on your kiddos, scrubbing toilets.
Wait!  Not the toilets part!
Go to the blog. 
Watch the video.
Be entertained. 
Or scrub a toilet.  Your choice. 

And if you're here on the blog and have no idea what I'm talking about, then just carry on!  Just having a Greyhaired moment!

Wishing you blessings and lots of Light today and everyday...

Light

To get you into the mood of this post, watch the video below.  Several times if necessary.  Turn your speakers up and get ready!  Then, once you catch your breath, read on...

For the last two weeks, our pastor, PB, has been sharing a series called "True Christmas."  Last week, he talked about light, linking it to the lights we use to decorate our Christmas trees and the outside of our homes.  

Because the teacher in me is screaming to do so, I have to give you some history on lights.  Pay attention!  There will be a quiz at the end of this post!  (Disclaimer/Credits:  Though some of this is from PB's message, I am getting most of my history from that wonderful book I told you about before, The ADVENTure of Christmas.)

• As the story goes, Professor Martin Luther was walking thru the forest one December night in the early 1500's.  He saw stars twinkling with unusual brighness against the inky sky.  In fact, when he walked under the branches of the evergreens, it seemed to him as if miniature stars were dancing in the trees all around him.  
• Luther felt an unexpected wave of worship overcome him.  He was overwhelmed by the awesome beauty of God's creation.
• The legend goes on to tell how Luther chopped down a small fir tree and set it up in his family's living area.  He desperately wanted to somehow capture that holy moment in the starlit forest.  However, words failed him.
• Luther had an idea:  He gathered up all of the family's candles and carefully placed them on the branches of the tree.  His idea worked!  The Luther children's eyes danced with understanding of Psalm 19:1:  "The heavens tell of the glory of God.  The skies display his marvelous craftmanship."  

Throughout the Bible, the word light is used.  It is used to speak of God's creation, as in Genesis 1:3-4:  And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 

It is a term to signify separation -- light from darkness.  

I think of the darkness that lived in me and around me before I surrendered my life to Christ.  And how, by surrendering to Him, He separated me from that darkness and filled me with His light.

When I think of the word light, I think of it most frequently as a term for Jesus. That Light symbolizes hope.  Hope that can be found in our Savior.  

'When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”'  John 8:12

As Christians, we are called to be salt and light to the world.  To the let light of Christ shine through our actions, our words, our deeds.  

"You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."  Matthew 5:14-16

And I think too frequently that possibly, quite possibly, there are times when my light doesn't shine strongly.  When I, as a Christian, might be known for what I am against instead of what I am for.   

I am committing myself to live as a child of the light.  To shine that light so that others might see the hope of Christ through me.  And I'll live on the promise that this light will produce only what is good and right and true. 

"For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!  For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true." 

Ephesians 5:7-9

So, in this season of Christmas, as you look at and enjoy the lights, I pray you'll see two things:  the wonder and beauty of God's creation, and the Light.  Find His light in you.  Shine it boldly.  Let it guide your path.  And let it be a beacon of hope for others.

I'm ready to be a child of the light.

A Christian who is identified for the things I stand FOR.  

I stand for Him.

And I'll shine for Him. 

Now go back up and watch that video again.  

You know you want to!

Oh, and as for the quiz I mentioned at the top of the post?  Be deLIGHTed -- It was a joke.  Kinda.  Seriously though?  If I could figure out how to hand you all a #2 pencil, and conduct an oral test over the Internet, it would have been Pop Quiz time!  Heh, heh, heh... (Or should I say, "Ho, Ho, Ho" this time of year?!)

Attributes of God -- Day 15

Righteous -- God is always good.  It is essential to His character.  He always does the right thing.  Ultimately, since He is God, whatever He does is right.  He is the absolute.  His actions are always consistent with His character, which is love.

He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
   and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
   upright and just is he. 

Deuteronomy 32:4

Your righteousness is everlasting
   and your law is true.

Psalm 119:142

Attributes of God -- Day 14

Impartial -- The Lord of the universe does not show favoritism or partiality.  He does not treat any one of us as our sins deserve, but freely offers His grace to all. 

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, 
the great God, mighty and awesome, 
who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. 
Deuteronomy 10:17

... who shows no partiality to princes
   and does not favor the rich over the poor,
   for they are all the work of his hands? Job 34:19

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—
the same Lord is Lord of all 
and richly blesses all who call on him.  
Romans 10:12

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.  
1 Peter 1:17

Attributes of God -- Day 13

Gracious -- God is a forgiving God.  His goodness and compassion cause Him to not treat us as our sins deserve; but instead to provide a way for our salvation.

But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. 

Nehemiah 9:31

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
   therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
   Blessed are all who wait for him!

Isaiah 30:18

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

2 Corinthians 9:8

... to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us 

in the One he loves. 

Ephesians 1:6

Attributes of God -- Day 12

Holy -- God is a morally excellent, perfect being.  His is purity of being in every aspect.

Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 

‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy. 

Leviticus 19:2

So listen to me, you men of understanding.
   Far be it from God to do evil,
   from the Almighty to do wrong.  

Job 34:10

Our Redeemer—the LORD Almighty is his name—
   is the Holy One of Israel. 

Isaiah 47:4

Attributes of God -- Day 11

Sovereign -- God is totally, supremely, and preeminently over all His creation.  There is not a person or thing that is not under His control and foreknown plan. 

All the peoples of the earth
   are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
   with the powers of heaven
   and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
   or say to him: “What have you done?

Daniel 4:35

Attributes of God -- Day 10

 Immanent -- God is no abstract deity removed from, or uninterested in his creation, but actively involved with everything, particularly the people in it.

In his hand is the life of every creature
   and the breath of all mankind.  

Job 12:10

And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.  

Acts 17:25

For in him we live and move and have our being.  As some of your own poets have said, We are his offspring.  

Acts 17:28

Attributes of God -- Day 9

Transcendent -- God is above His creation, and He would exist if there were no creation.  He is in no way dependent on his creation.

“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD,
   “and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
   and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
   nor will there be one after me. 

Isaiah 43:10

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways,”
            declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

Isaiah 55:8-9

Attributes of God -- Day 8

Infinite -- The realm of God has no limits or bounds whatsoever. 

But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 

1 Kings 8:27

God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough.
      There are no boundaries to his greatness. 

Psalm 145:3

Attributes of God -- Day 7

Self-Existent -- There is nothing upon which God depends for His existence except Himself.  The whole basis of His existence is within Himself.  There was a time when there was nothing but God Himself.  He added nothing to Himself by creation.

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ 

Exodus 3:14

For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also 

to have life in himself.   

John 5:26

The ADVENTure of Christmas

I love Christmas time.  I love it!  And in case you didn't get that, let me reiterate:  I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

It is a time of hope.  A time of wonder.  A time of joy. 

A time of baking, crafting, wrapping, and creating.  

A time to take a break from school.  

Just kidding.  

Kinda.

But not really.

One of the big perks of homeschooling is that we get to choose what our kids learn and when they learn it.  We get to choose what to place emphasis on and how much emphasis to place on those things.

This year, we're choosing to heavily emphasize Christmas.  Specifically, the meaning of Christmas.  I mean more than just the "Jesus is the reason..." type lingo.  I mean talking to the kids about what the symbols of Christmas mean.  The trees, the carols, the ornaments, the decorations.  You get the idea.

This book has been a God send!  Honestly, I really didn't know the history behind many of the traditions that our family uses to create a festive atmosphere.  

And so, while I read to my kiddos and we discuss this amazing time of year, I too am learning.  (Apparently this old dog can learn new tricks!)  

It's great to be able to learn the history behind our traditions.  I am glad that my children will be able to explain how each part of our tradition represents the birth of Christ.   It is my hope that in each ornament, decoration, craft, and cookie that they will see the hope that Christmas brings.  And that it will fill their lives with His love.  And that that love will bubble up and spill over to all those they come in contact with.  That's my Christmas wish!

 This book also ties into the Advent ornaments that we made to decorate our classroom tree.  Each ornament has an activity on the back and when I planned activities, I tried to correlate them to a section and activity in the ADVENTure of Christmas book.  

We're also using the "Christmas Around the World" curricula from Galloping the Globe and Expedition Earth for our Geography.  Each day, we're focusing on a country and making/doing a craft or activity that would be similar to what the children of that country are doing.  This also gives us a great opportunity to pray for those countries who might not know the Good News of Christ's birth, nor know Him as Savior.

 We learned that many Japanese are not Christian, but participate in the commercialism of Christmas.  

They decorate their trees with many things, including fans.

The ADVENTure of Christmas book also has a section on Christmas in other countries. 

  

 

All in all, it's been an ADVENTure.  One that we plan on continuing until the day of our Savior's birth.  We're having a great time learning about the One who is coming.  And, in the process, the joy grows!

Attributes of God -- Day 6

Incomprehensible -- Because God is God, He is beyond the understanding of man.  His ways, character, and acts are higher than ours.  We only understand as He chooses to reveal.

Can you fathom the mysteries of God?
   Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? 

Job 11:7

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways,”
            declares the LORD.
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
   How unsearchable his judgments,
   and his paths beyond tracing out! 

Romans 11:33

Attributes of God -- Day 5

Immutable -- God is always the same in His nature, HIs character, and His will.  He never changes, and He can never be made to change.  

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
   and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you remain;
   they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing you will change them
   and they will be discarded.
But you remain the same,
   and your years will never end. 

Psalm 102:25-27

I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.    

Malachi 3:6

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.    

Hebrews 13:8

Attributes of God -- Day 4

Eternal -- God has no beginning and He has no end.  he is not confined to the finiteness of time or of man's reckoning of time.  He is, in fact, the cause of time.  

Before the mountains were born
   or you brought forth the whole world,
   from everlasting to everlasting you are God.  

Psalms 90:2

For this is what the high and exalted One says—
   he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
   but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
   and to revive the heart of the contrite."

    Isaiah 57:15

Attributes of God -- Day 3

Omnipresent -- God is present everywhere, in the entire universe, at all times, in the totality of His character.

"The eyes of the LORD are everywhere,
   keeping watch on the wicked and the good." Proverbs 15:3

“Am I only a God nearby,”
            declares the LORD,
   “and not a God far away?

Who can hide in secret places
   so that I cannot see them?”
            declares the LORD.

   “Do not I fill heaven and earth?”
            declares the LORD.   

  

         Jeremiah 23:23-24

Attributes of God -- Day 2

Omnipotent -- God possess all power.  He is able to bring into being anything that He has decided to do, with our without the use of any means.  

"Is anything too hard for the LORD?"  Genesis 18:14a

“I know that you can do all things;
   no purpose of yours can be thwarted."  Job 42:2

“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"  Jeremiah 32:27

Attributes of God -- Day 1

Omniscient -- God knows all.  He has a perfect knowledge of everything that is past, present, or future.  

"Do you know how the clouds hang poised,
   those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?" Job 37:16

You have searched me, LORD,
   and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
   you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
   you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
   you, LORD, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
   and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
   too lofty for me to attain.  

Psalm 139:1-6

Christmas Corinthians

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.  But giving the gift of love will endure.

Merry CHRISTmas!

-- Author Unknown

Corinthians 13:13: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."