Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, Schedules Day 21 countdown.....

 

2. Listen to Your Mind and Body

I didn’t realize how quickly my body would tell on me until after I had my first son. The lack of sleep, dehydration from nursing without replenishing my own fuel tank, and surviving on random bites of random snacks wasn’t cutting it. I wasn’t showering or brushing my teeth as I should. I was simply surviving, all in the name of putting my son first. To an extent, the newborn season leaves you with little choice, but when you allow this idea of ignoring your body’s messages to continue, you and your family pay the price.

Listen to your mind and body this Christmas season, and recognize how your family is managing as well. Are the kids constantly burnt out from sugar highs, exhausted because they’re consistently out past their bedtime to attend yet another Christmas party? Is your husband feeling the mental weight of financially providing in this season because you feel obligated to cook for every Christmas function and bring a White Reindeer gift?

Don’t allow outside demands to harm the physical and mental well-being of your family (which includes you, too).

3. Set and Maintain a Reasonable Schedule 

Last-minute things will pop up. That’s just life, especially during the holiday season. However, you typically have a decent idea of your family’s December schedule in advance. You already know if there are ballet recitals, choir recitals, work parties, small group functions, volunteer events, and so on.

Take an evening to sit down with your family and map out your December calendar. This allows everyone to recognize just how much the family is already committed to, so no one is volunteering your family for yet another function that simply won’t fit with your prior festive obligations. (Source: Part 2 and 3 : from: How to Let Go of People-Pleasing This Holiday Season

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Have you noticed it? That Christmas Day is fast approaching? That time is running out to get done what we need to do. 

I know I can be slow. But it hit me a little while ago at about 4:00 am!

You may be asking: Why are you up at 4 am doing a post on Sunday? Or maybe you don't even care. But...

It's because my time is running out already today. lol. You see, my 40 plus son teaches SS in a Baptist Church in another state. We found out recently that I can go online and actually participate in his class as though I am there.

We got it set up yesterday as to how to do this and I think I will be successful. So, I aa getting an early start so I can be ready to hopefully tune in when that time comes.

Although, let there be no mistake, I usually am awake at this time of morning because last year I recused a homeless cat that came to my door during a severe storm we were having in our area and once I let him in, he became a wonderful fixture in my family. 

The downside to his coming here, is that he has made himself so comfortable here that he wakes me up early to meow (sometimes very loudly, lol) for food. And I cannot say no because he is an older cat and his body shows it and so I get up to feed him so that he no longer goes hungry. 

And because I love him.

Now that he is fed for a while, I remain wide awake, and that is ok. My sleep has always been fragmented anyway, for other reasons so it really isn't a big deal. 

Anyway, especially because of these particular posts I have been doing the past few days, I am doubling up today and will tomorrow as well, to get it wrapped up before we are unwrapping those gifts we will be receiving on Christmas Day.

Or as I said at the start of this one, you can check out originating website to get the rest of it for yourself, if you have a few spare minutes left to do so. 

So I thank you for staying with me because I may not know you, but I do desire for you to know Jesus and I love what I do in these posts to hopefully show you just how much He does love you.

During this season, during the Easter season, and every day. 

Thanks as always, for coming by. Have a wonderful day in His Holy Name which is above all other names under heaven. Philippians 2:9

Reflections: Day 20 countdown...

 

1. Reflect on Seasons Past

All it takes is a few moments of reflecting on that hectic Christmas spent with my then-fiancé to steady my mind and remind me that I can’t and won’t please everyone. Checking off all the boxes won’t guarantee a Christmas well-spent. Simply put: you can’t expect a perfect Christmas by means of imperfect people. That’s an impossible standard.

Rather than reaching for the impossible, rest in what you know. Through personal experience, you and your family are best equipped to know your capacity during the holidays. You know if your kiddos will be miserable and cranky if you drag them to a late-night Christmas dinner. You know if your infant will nap through the entire Christmas craft party, leaving you unable to do anything besides sit there and sweat in your wool sweater. You know if your husband can only handle his work colleagues for so long at their company’s Christmas party, and vice versa.

Use seasons past to not only determine but also decide how to protect your family’s mental, emotional, and physical health this Christmas.

Part 2: Continued from: How to Let Go of People-Pleasing This Holiday Season

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Adding my 2 cents:

What she says here is true. Learn what works and what doesn't is what she is saying. However, in reflecting back, you may also think about sad times too. Perhaps this year may bring memories of a loved one that isn't with you anymore.

I have a cousin whose husband left her years ago. She really loved him and all these years later she still has a hard time each holiday season because they had had such good times during the holidays while they were married.

These kinds of memories can interrupt the holidays for so many of us, if we let them.

So be prepared.

Seek spiritual help. Learn how to handle these things that come at you with such intensity that you just can't get passed them.

Don't hide away and be alone. 

The Bible says for us to bear one another's burdens. Galatians 6:2

Above all, be thankful every day that Jesus came to give us peace.

It's because of His birth we are even celebrating Christmas.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends.

Coming tomorrow:

2. Listen to Your Mind and Body

Have a blessed day!

Doesn't it Just Want to Make You Cry? 18 days countdown

 

Is it getting to you? The season, I mean. Is it getting to you? The stress of all that goes on during this month.

As a mom, we can be put through the mills as it were, by all it brings. Decorations, parties, gifts, Church activites, cooking, school functions, and what about those kids involved in Scout programs, hosting Christmas day. And to top it off the kids home from school for the next couple of weeks, possibly squabbling with each other. Or with you.

Let's be honest here. It can just be overwhelming. 

Well, been there done that. And I know what it feels like. Even though a lot of that activity has come to an end as I am older. 

Sometimes, don't you just want to sit down somewhere quiet and cry? 

My mom, long passed into the arms of Jesus-used to hear my complaints and say to me, "This too shall pass, Becky."  She could say that then because she knew.

And now I know so I can share that with you.

But more than that, I want to give you a little something for the next few days that I didn't have back in the days when the internet wasn't even a word in my family yet.

Crosswalk,org has an article called How to Let Go of People-Pleasing This Holiday Season

They have some very good advice about how to make the holidays less stressful and so I decided for the next few days, I will copy some each day here for you to consider. 

Today, it will be just the introduction and then each day I will add to it. Or if you prefer to read the whole article instead, please feel free to do so. 

So, here we go....

Does Christmas leave you feeling more drained than joyful? Here are six biblically grounded ways to quiet the pressure, care for your soul, and refocus your heart on what truly matters this season

I’ll never forget the Christmas my husband and I spent together as an engaged couple. There were sweet, romantic moments we shared, but Christmas Day, as a whole, was…miserable. Between breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we were at three different houses, constantly unloading and loading gifts, juggling food, and quietly agreeing, “We aren’t doing this again next year.”

What I learned that year is that even when you show up for all of the things to please all of the people in your life, you still don’t please everyone. One grandparent is mad because you were too full to try their special dessert, a cousin is mad because everyone wasn’t right on time, and an in-law is upset that you spent a few minutes more at the other family’s house than theirs.

Deep down, you know it’s true that you can’t please everyone. You don’t have to dig much deeper to acknowledge that pleasing everyone drains you, leaving little room to tend to your heart, mind, and body. This reality only escalates during the holidays, as more parties, non-profit fundraisers, family functions, Christmas pageants, and choir recitals pile high.

Before you know it, Christmas is over, and a big piece of you feels relieved. But should we spend our Advent season, one meant to rest in the hope, peace, and joy of our Savior, meeting the demands of countless people who are more concerned with their function than your soul’s well-being (and your family’s)?

If Christmas feels like a season of survival, all in the name of pleasing others, I encourage you to consider these six simple ways to let go of the unrealistic expectations and find rest:

(source:  Peyton Garland is an author, editor, and boy mama who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee. Subscribe to her blog Uncured+Okay for more encouragement

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Coming tomorrow: 1. Reflect on Seasons Past

Hopefully we can learn some things to do or maybe not to do to make this season a truly special time of those things that are actually more important.

Thanks for coming today, Friends.

Have a blessed day!

A new website Day 17 countdown...

Good morning, Friends. I was on the Pinterest site this morning and found a site that I had never known existed before. I checked it out and found it to be very interesting so I am going to suggest it in case you want to take a look at it.

The story that I read was short but to the point about Jesus being the "First Gift" to us. He truly was the first gift. What greater one is there than someone would allow what Jesus did, to save humanity. Not just from sin, but from eternal judgement and torment. 

Only One person took it upon himself to do what no human being could.

Jesus Christ.

Anyway, I have provided a link to this author's information in case you are interested and what to check it out.  I myself intend to check out other items on it as well.

Have a blessed day in Jesus as we continue to prepare for the celebration of His birth.

Thanks for coming by.

Courageous Christian Father

A Christian Blog about the Bible, Theology, God, Jesus Christ, Christian Music, Christian  Movies, Family, Cats, Odd Holidays an

John 1:6-8 Day 16 countdown...

 

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

John the Baptist played an important part in bearing witness to the fact that his cousin Jesus was the One came as the Light of the World. He was appointed by God to let us know this so that we can believe in The Light.

It was a dark world back in that day. And even though it is still a dark world now, the wonderful thing about it is that we ourselves do not have to live or walk in darkness.

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

The life, death and resurrection that brought Jesus to earth proved that and given to John the Baptist as a witness of who Jesus was and still is. 

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. Have a blessed day!

Thoughts from my desk Day 15 countdown...

 

Just a few words and thoughts from my blog today....

If there was ever a time when I believed this to be true about making family traditions that bring you closer to Jesus, I would have to say it is this year.

This year when my husband is no longer with us, when my kids are now adults, when 2 of them with their families, live in other states.

And when one of those-my son-probably is not a Christian.

How I wish I could go back to re-do some of the mistakes we made in bringing up our kids.

Oh, for a good part of their years, we were in church and participated in those things about Jesus and His birth that the church did. We were involved with the youth during some of those years, and the kids knew we believed in all that the Christmas season was about His birth.

But somehow, we missed it about having our own traditions that would bring Him closer to us as a family. 

It was too much about the other parts of Christmas. The tree, the gifts. The food. 

And now that time is probably running out for me as I get older, it is something that I want to try to include in the family celebrations that I have now with those that are left.  With those that are willing.

Because sadly, one son in another state has no interest in Jesus or why He came to save us from our sin.

And so, he has not taught own 2 sons those things that he learned so long ago. Not to my knowledge anyway. Because you see, he doesn't talk to me about spiritual things. 

And so, I wish to convey to you today, how important it is to not only participate in those things about the Birth of our Savior in your church, but then to bring them home to show your family that you truly believe in Him. 

I know that there are just 10 days left to come up with some things that you can add to your family traditions. However, I believe it is so important to show our families more than just the fun things of the season, and even those things about Jesus that will be in Christmas programs at church.

I think it is important to do it while we still can. When they will still listen. While it can make a difference perhaps.

There are ideas on the internet, there for this purpose. So, I encourage you to find some that will be meaningful for your own family to make this season more faith-filled, a somewhat less worldly than it has been in the past.

While your family is still with you. 

As you may read this and think I am sad today, yes. I am a bit sad. And regretful.

But I am not hoping to put my sadness into your own plannings for Christmas.

I also truly look forward to Christmas this year. It will be the 3rd year after I lost my husband and the first time that I am more happy than sad.

For this year, I have already been working on a project that has brought meaning to me personally and I pray it does for my family that I will be spending it with. 

Just one thing has brought back the joy that I have had other years and can be the same for you, if you will find it among all the ideas that other people have shared.

As for me, mine is a secret until Christmas day. The family know I have something special for that day, but they have no idea what it is. And I can't wait to share it. 

Hopefully, it will be an special addition to our celebration this year. And next year, Lord willing, we will add some other tradition to the day that we celebrate the fact that yes, Jesus was born to save us from our sin. 

Thank you my Friends, for allowing me to speak with you on my thoughts today. May they encourage you to find new traditions for your own family to add more of Jesus, and less of the world into your own celebrations.

Have a blessed day!

Jesus Wasn't Born on December 25th? (Christmas Myths Unwrapped) Day 12 countdown....

 

 Is December 25 Jesus’ birthday?

Answer

What is probably the first mention of Jesus’ birth on December 25 dates back to the 3rd century, when Hippolytus of Rome wrote, “The first advent of our Lord in the flesh, when he was born in Bethlehem, was December 25th, Wednesday” (Commentary on Daniel, tr. by Schmidt, T. C., 2010, Book 4, 23.3). The earliest mention of some sort of observance on that date is in the Philoclian Calendar, representing Roman practice, of the year 3

People have put forward various reasons for the choice of December 25 for the birth of Jesus:

1) December 25 is nine months after March 25, which the historian Sextus Julius Africanus and the early church father Tertullian calculated to be the date of the Passover on which Jesus was conceived (see Tertullian’s Adversus Judaeos, Ch. VIII). This reckoning was based on the tradition that Jesus was conceived and died on the same calendar day.

2) According to another tradition, March 25 was the anniversary of the creation of the world. Jesus’ conception on that date would lead to His birth on December 25.

3) December 25 coincided with a pagan festival celebrating the winter solstice. The church thereby offered people a Christian alternative to the pagan festivities and eventually reinterpreted many of their symbols and actions in ways acceptable to Christian faith and practice.

December 25 has become more and more acceptable as the birth date of Jesus. However, some argue that the birth occurred in some other season, such as in the fall. Followers of this theory claim that the Judean winters were too cold for shepherds to be watching their flocks by night. In the end, it is impossible to prove whether or not Jesus was born on December 25. And, ultimately, it does not matter.

The truth is we simply don’t know the exact date of our Savior’s birth. In fact, we don’t even know for sure the year in which He was born. Scholars believe it was somewhere between 6 BC and 4 BC. One thing is clear: if God felt it was important for us to know the exact date of the Savior’s birth, He certainly would have told us in His Word. The Gospel of Luke gives very specific details about the event, even down to what the baby was wearing–“swaddling clothes”—and where He slept—“in a manger” (Luke 2:12). These details are important because they speak of His nature and character, meek and lowly. But the exact date of His birth has no significance whatsoever, which may be why God chose not to mention it.

The fact is that He was born, He came into the world to atone for our sins, He was resurrected to eternal life, and He’s alive today. This is what we should celebrate, as we are told in the Old Testament in such passages as Zechariah 2:10: “‘Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,’ declares the LORD.” Further, the angel that announced the birth to the shepherds brought “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Surely here is the cause for celebration every day, not just once a year. (Source: gotquestions.org)

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Have a blessed day knowing that even though the date of Jesus' birth, we can celebrate it on any day of the year and be thankful every day that He came to save us from sin!! Thanks for stopping by!