Have Yourself a Mary Little Christmas-3 - Tuesday December 11, 2012
Mary treasured all these things in her heart and always thought about them. Luke 2:19 God's Word Translation
This verse is one that has been convicting my spirit recently. It takes time, solitude, and intentionality to treasure things up in our hearts. I find that I rush through my day and go on to the next thing without stopping to reflect. I have come up with a few ways to help me with this.
Be thankful. We treasure what we appreciate. Psalm 103:2 instructs us to "forget none of His benefits." If I can look back on my day or an event and see all the ways that God blessed me and was faithful, it will help me to better value the things I have.
Journal. It slows me down to write about special things that God is doing and teaching me. It gives me a treasure of memories to look back on over the years.
Simplify. In the same way that it is difficult to receive twenty presents and fully enjoy them all, we can put so much in our schedule that Christmas can cease to be very much fun. Selecting a few special activities with margins built in to rest will help us savor and appreciate the holiday season.
I am becoming increasingly aware of how quickly time passes. The holiday season will be over before we know it. The lights and carols and opportunities to give can fill us with the wonder of the Savior...or we can be distracted and miss it all. I hope to treasure the important things this year, "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).
Submitted by:
Kelly Lewis
Grace Point Community Church
Lewis Center, Ohio
One-Year Reading Plan:
Amos 4:1-6:14
Revelation 2:18-3:6
Psalms 130:1-8
Proverbs 29:21-22
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