I had a plan for today but I didn't get to implement it. Instead, I stayed home with my daughter as she is ill with strep. I'm okay with that because I am one step ahead in my quest for tomorrow. So what did I do with intention today to keep the Spirit of Christmas alive? I spent some really good quality time with my little girl and I let her know how much she means to me. Merry Christmas, Lilly.
I also had the chance to think about the Lord a lot. I am so very grateful to Him for everything - every thing - he has done for me and those I love. But I will confess that I sometimes still struggle with unbelief. Why is is so much easier to believe the scary, ugly things than the beautiful, hopeful things? I'm working on it...are any of you dealing with these thoughts, too?
So I thought long and hard about the meaning of Christmas and what it represents. I believe it is the ultimate spirit of hope...hope for redemption, hope for love, hope for a meaningful life. That is exactly what Jesus Christ represents...all of these beautiful, wonderful, life-giving things. So the question is - how can we spread this to our family, our places of work, our communities and our cities? As believers, we have a duty to make disciples...and it seems to me that spreading a little Chritmas cheer everyday through intentional acts of love and selflessness are a good way to start. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love our God first and foremost with all our heart, mind, strength and spirit. A second equally important is to love others as we love ourselves. When we stand before God in Heaven - he isn't going to care if we were "nice" people...He's going to care about what we did to advance His Kingdom on Earth.
How do we advance His Kingdom? By living a life of honor, integrity and one that is full of love for others...even if we're tired, even if we're overwhelmed, even if we don't feel like it. When we radiate a spirit of lovingkindness, people will be attracted. Think about all the people you know...and how many are miserable, never content, always looking for something more, always focusing on negative drama or making their own? Too many. And what if all these people around you thought of you as a calm and soothing pool of water where they would receive unconditional acceptance, wisdom and peace; what if you were a place of respite? How would that affect those around you? You know you cannot be that person on your own - you can only be that person when you fully accept Jesus and allow Him to work through you. So when these people ask you why you're different, you would have to give credit where credit is due...to the Lord Jesus Christ. What conversations would you have then? How many people would you bring into knowing the Lord by the very simple act of loving those you interact with?
Deep thoughts, my friends...deep thoughts. So how can I become that person? Prayer. Openness. And living a life of intention for my Jesus as I spread that ever hopeful Christmas spirit.
Until tomorrow... Annie
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