Weighing Holiday Parties in the Balance

So you survived Thanksgiving while only gaining a pound. You breathe a sigh of relief until you remember you’ll be attending 16 more parties before Christmas. Then it’s football playoff parties and the Superbowl to contend with until Valentine’s Day. Oh goodie, no food challenges here, right? (I sarcastically ask in all Christian love.)

I know it seems like climbing Mt. Everest barefoot, but you can attend parties, enjoy them, and only gain a smidgin of weight.

Here are some suggestions to get you through “party season hell.”

The answer lies in your brain as well as your resolve.  Use common sense:

• Don’t arrive hungry.
• Remember you’re surrounded by friends who want you healthy.
• Do your socializing away from the appetizer table.
• Choose low alcoholic drinks or consume sparkling water.

Bring an appetizer you’d enjoy eating. Low fat appetizers needn’t taste like cardboard. Homemade salsa with red, green and/or yellow pepper, surrounded by baked tortilla chips on a colorful Christmas plate looks attractive and is low-fat!

1. Create homemade spicy salsa using mango, peach, pineapple, black bean or corn. Salsa recipes are easy. Bake your own seasoned tortilla chips.
2. Tapenades are very popular this year. Search for low-fat recipes and use crusty bread.
3. Bring shrimp cocktail and create your own spicy cocktail sauce using lots of horseradish. Spicy foods increase metabolism.
4. Hummus, a dip made with blended chick peas and lots of garlic makes a fabulous choice. Bring baked pita chips or veggies along for dipping.
5. Create your own Chex mix with a variety of sodium free pretzels, dried fruit, popcorn, sunflower or pumpkin seeds and nuts.
6. Bring Bruschetta topped with a spread of tomatoes, garlic, herbed cheeses, pesto or an olive mixture.
7. There are many low-fat cheese brands; Laughing Cow, Sargento Light, Alpine Lace, Cabot. Use Triscuits or a high fiber cracker.
8. Try baking pizza squares and top with ham, pineapple, banana or jalapeno peppers, mushrooms,  bell peppers, onions, black olives, etc.
9. Create black or pinto bean dips. They are low in fat and high in fiber!  Add garlic and it’s a high antioxidant appetizer!
10. Roasted garlic (bake with drizzled olive oil for 30 minutes) spreads smoothly over wonderful hearty wheat, French or Italian bread.
11. Want to bake a spinach, artichoke dip? Spinach & artichokes contain no fat and use less fatty, 1-2% dairy products.
12. Bake “buffalo bites” using chicken breast and place on holiday toothpicks.
13. Bored with the typical veggie plate? Try seasoned roasted vegetables instead. Add a low-fat roasted garlic dip.
14. Create your own fruit kabobs with whatever’s in season, pears, apples, bananas, pineapple and place on theme appropriate spears
15. Set up a chocolate fondue display surrounded by cherries, strawberries, bananas, apples, marshmallows, graham crackers or vanilla wafers.
16. Make a fruit tray and create the darkest chocolate dip you can. Dark chocolate contains magnesium, copper, potassium and antioxidants.

If you’re having a hard time resisting, use your visualization skills. Visualize that rich Velveeta Cheese coursing through your veins into your heart muscle, clogging your arteries, turning them into a nice golden sludge. (I know, I can really take the fun out of a party, can’t I?)

Remember whatever you eat, you’ll wear it. Before you consume it, ask yourself “Is this something I want to wear?” Probably not. If you withstand temptation, you’ll have reached another goal. Congratulations! You’ve replaced temptation with  positive accomplishments!

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

Building Successful Health Goals

People who are never happy with the bounty God has already given them are not joyful, contented residents on Earth. Rushing around, they strive for something they’ll never achieve. Even when reaching a goal, they’re usually not satisfied with the final result.

They are like spoiled children on their birthday party who open present after present and then ask, “Is that everything?”  Happy for a moment, they look around, wishing for even more.

God wants us to live a happy, contented life. He designed each of us individually and only wants what’s best for us. If He wanted us to be someone else, don’t you think He would have created us differently?

Trying to be someone else enslaves us to something else. Remember God looks at our spirit! A grateful, contented smile is the most beautiful asset one will ever own, whether poor or rich.

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)

True freedom is powerful! Even a prisoner will find freedom within his confines if he has godly peace within. For in his chains, his repentant Christian testimony will inspire others.

What imprisons you? Are you imprisoned by smoking, greed, weight gain, drug use, or other harmful habit? Look for godly ways to conquer these addictions, taking it one step at a time.

Yes, it’ll take time. There is no instant gratification, especially in health goals. For example, if someone is large-boned, they will never be a size 2 without looking emaciated. Becoming healthy is the goal.

Suggestions for Success

Make your goals realistic and start out small.

• Develop discipline. Everything in life has a cost but remember, you are the only one who lives inside your body. Only you can reach success. Define your goals.
• Choose realistic goals. If one is small in stature, eating smaller portions and creating a workout to keep that physique is essential. Write out a game plan.
• Allow Scripture to be your Coach and you’ll pass the Finish Line. Overcoming an addictive habit might be a sprint, for others a marathon. (Five versus a hundred pounds.) We are each uniquely designed. Therefore run your own race. Listen to your coach!

How to exercise if you absolutely loathe it:

• Start by simply walking around the block. The next day, walk around twice. Increase until you’re walking a few miles each day on a trail. Enjoy the view and the weather.
• Begin lifting small weights for a short amount of time for each position. The following week, add a few more reps.
• If you begin planking, attempt a minute, add 30 seconds gradually until you’ve reached a comfortable level. It’s the best way to develop a flat stomach.
• Find an exercise you enjoy. (pickleball, golf, biking, hiking, shuffleboard, skiing, etc.)
• Keep track of your successes. Document them – it’s nice to view your results on paper.

Start finding success in small personal goals because accomplishing any goal builds confidence! With confidence we can do much more than we think.

Eventually you’ll view yourself in a different light. Self-discipline is empowering! A confident attitude will also draw others to you; for by conquering addiction, you have conquered the chains of a sinful nature.

“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”  (1 Corinthians 9:27)

Become that New Creation in Christ that God wants you to be!

God’s Furry Messengers: Life Lessons Learned from Dogs

Have you noticed how bad behavior in our current culture is now characterized as permissible? We live in a topsy-turvy world today. Our children view daily news clips of people stealing, lying, and vandalizing property, and being rewarded for it. What’s going through children’s heads? Why bother obeying rules? I’m a fool if I do so!

More and more, parents’ rights seem to be taken away and children are growing up with little respect for authority. My husband and I are privileged to attend a church where 65% of the congregation is under 55. Teenagers are respectful and hungry to learn about their Creator and Lord. What makes the difference? Parents.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

Parents need to take back their godly authority. Children shouldn’t have their faces staring at video games or iPhones six hours a day. Parents must talk with their children daily to discover what’s happening inside their heads.

Sadly, when a school tragedy occurs, we repeatedly hear the child’s parents lament how they hadn’t realized there was even a problem! Again, parents and grandparents need quality time together. Our young people need Godly Direction and should understand the value of boundaries.

Today’s society is one where “anything goes,” and too many children are floundering with no moral compass. I was challenged to write God’s Furry Messengers, a children’s book that aspires to draw the entire family unit closer.

God’s Furry Messengers: Life Lessons Learned from Dogs is a family Christian Devotional that targets the 5 – 11-year-old. It aims to draw the entire family unit closer. What better way for a grandparent to get to know their grandchild? What better way to impart some of your hard-earned wisdom in a non-judgmental form? Older siblings can read chapters to their younger ones, confiding how their trials and experiences were not so different and how they coped.

The idea for the book arose as I  noticed how human our pups acted at times. Through the years I’ve posted about our beloved dogs and the life lessons we learned observing them. I also discovered that thru observing our furry friends, we learn valuable lessons about the nature of God.

Therefore, based on that idea, I compiled a sweet children’s devotional with questions dispersed throughout each chapter.

God’s Furry Messengers:

Meet the Marshall family – ten-year-old Alex, seven-year-old Mattie, and their parents, Lydia and Jim. It’s a happy family with two adorable pets, Sebastian, an older, wiser Cocker spaniel, and Jinx, a feisty female Lhasa apso who believes she’s wise, but instead is a wise guy.

Everything has been running smoothly for the household until Lydia brings home a furry new family member. The Marshall household will never be the same.

This professionally illustrated book addresses essential personal, social, and spiritual issues.  Each chapter provides multiple opportunities to discuss the daily challenges of today’s world.

Topics address respect for authority, prejudicial issues, bullying, impatience, the importance of good character, why God disciplines, and peer pressure among other subjects. It’s told from a pup’s point of view, but every child will relate to each chapter.

God’s Furry Messengers: Life Lessons Learned from Dogs can be found on amazon.com/books in paperback form.   (Link here )

I pray it will open up the lines of communication not only for families, but Sunday School teachers, Christian schools, church nurseries, and other Christian organizations.

If you agree that today’s children are too valuable to waste, please help me network by sharing this post. Thank you so much, Ellie

Where Has All Our Kindness Gone?

A study conducted by the University of North Carolina indicated that stress levels were lowered when participants hugged each other. It’s a kind thing to do. During Covid, no one could touch each other. Is this why we became unkind?

Hugging releases chemical feel-good endorphins such as oxytocin, described as a hormone of love, and the neurotransmitter, serotonin. (Cuddling with our beloved animals does the same.) This allows us emotionally to feel safe, secure, and in trusted hands. No amount of x’s, o’s, or happy face icons attached as an internet hug can replace a physical one!

What has happened to relationships, friendships, marriage, and simple kindness in this modern age? 

“How delightfully good when brothers live together in harmony!”  (Psalm 133:1) CSV

I surmise like me you are disgusted with the outcry in our political arena today. No one listens to another – rather hatred spews forth like sewage waste. It makes me grateful we have a God who always listens to us and is Absolutely Truthful and Kind.

In all things, GOD should be our Anchor. He instills a moral compass as well as the Golden Rule.

A spouse should always be your best friend. God brought you together for a reason. There was no coincidence. Do you care enough? For what you treasure, you take care of. (Matthew 6:21)  Protect each other’s feelings through a lifetime commitment of respect, courtesy, and love.

LAUGHTER keeps a relationship young at heart. What seems like a crisis in a relationship can often be a learning experience which is usually laughed about years later. Don’t sweat the small stuff, as the saying goes. In perspective, it’s all small stuff. It’s only what we do for our Lord that truly matters.

TIME. In a strong, loving, balanced relationship, people  continually allocate more time together than apart. Never stop supporting, learning, and growing together! God created us as complex creatures. It’s exciting to discover new friendships and interests that add to any couple’s extensive memory portfolio.

God, time, communication, and laughter, in my opinion, is the glue that holds faith, family, and friendship together.

COMMUNICATE! Don’t let your friendships or marriage become complacent! Complacency leads to boredom. Sadly, many marriages are disposable in today’s throw-away society. How many times while counseling, did I hear the phrase: “We used to talk for hours, but he doesn’t communicate anymore.” Food filled their loneliness void. Wouldn’t most women prefer good communication from the heart than a gift from the store?

I can’t believe someone fails to find something to talk about:  vacation plans, friendships, sports, travel, world events, work, music, television shows, a joke you heard, a Bible study point of view . . . there’s literally a world of items to discuss!

We surround ourselves with such busyness and noise and yet more and more, as humans, we are lonely. Then we reach for anything that temporarily satisfies: food, drugs, alcohol, shopping. We find other items filling a void, falling further and further away from God’s Friendship. Get back to the Word! Communicate with our Lord.

Surround yourself with godly friends who build you up, encourage, and believe you are worth speaking to. It takes commitment, patience, and the Lord as the center of any relationship to ensure longevity. Reach out: Communicate!

 “Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will listen to the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us when we listen to the voice of the LORD our God.”  (Jeremiah 42:6)

The Quest for True Beauty

True beauty touches on all aspects of mental, physical, and spiritual health. Everyone longs to look and feel their best. Some do so for questionable motives, (Oh, aren’t I beautiful?) while others to overcome illness, or simply for a healthier lifestyle, respecting our Lord who designed us.

How do we become a totally healthier Creation?

Mentally: Forgive

Find Peace. One of my patients, a young woman, looked so much older due a spiteful attitude. She refused to forgive someone from twenty years ago. The one she disliked went on with life, oblivious to the rancorous attitude against her.  Who did it hurt more, my patient or the recipient?  Of course my patient!

Our energy level reflects on our faces.  Retaining an unforgiving spirit only manages to destroy the one holding it. That’s exhausting!

Spiritually: Reduce stress   

Occasionally I’ve been told, “Wow, you look tired today.”Immediately any energy I had left escaped because I thought, “Gosh, maybe I am.” Relax, stress adds years to your face! Find ways to de-stress through Bible meditation, aromatherapy, soft music, fresh air activities, bubble baths, sit on the beach, or massages.

A peaceful, contented demeanor makes one look and feel younger. (They also attract happy friends.)

The most perfect way to become stress-less is to cast your cares on the Lord. “Be anxious for nothing,”  (Philippians 4:6. )  Learn to rest in the fact that God controls our destiny and He only desires what’s best for you, so do His Will.

Physically: Honor your body

God loves the “beauty-challenged” as much as he loves Miss Universe for God looks at the heart.

“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

To honor Him, become your best physicological self.

Increase water: 

Many believe we drink water only to fill us up and reduce hunger pains. Well partially, but there are so many practical reasons to drink water daily. I won’t go into detail here but please use my search engine above to discover all the important reasons why water is essential for healthy living.

Water not only bathes your skin in moisture, it removes toxins from your body which could appear on the surface of the skin as blemishes. If you can’t stand water, then drink green tea.

Increase collagen production by eating nutritionally balanced!

Collagen is a protein that firms the skin and reduces sagging. As we age we lose collagen in our skin. But some foods will actually increase collagen production and fruits and vegetables contain protein too: spinach, broccoli, cabbage, red peppers, strawberries, beets, tomatoes, oranges, cherries, apples, walnuts, beans and guavas among others.

Reduce inflammation:

Cut down on sugar and junk foods which cause inflammation. Choose foods that are filled with antioxidants, vitamin A, E, and C.

Consume omega-3 fatty acids.  Those dieters who restrict fat run the risk of depleting not only the brown fat that protects vital organs and your heart muscle, but risk having sallow complexions. By consuming too much fat, one risks high cholesterol and triglyceride levels which can produce a greyish hue to the skin tone.

Great selections are salmon, shrimp and other fatty fish, milled flaxseed, walnuts, tuna, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kidney beans.

Forget about starvation and “dieting.” That robs nutrients from the skin! Learn how nutrients metabolize within the body’s physiology to create youthful health.

Real beauty truly begins from the inside out.  Forget the over-promising, nearly $150 billion “miracle” cream industry, eat right and start looking younger. Become a New Creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 and feel beautiful inside and out.

 

Create A Positive Attitude!

Have you ever thought, after accomplishing something extremely tough but satisfying,  Why did I grumble so much, thinking I couldn’t do it? Well, let me ask a question, “Who influences you?”

When you were a child, did you strive for perfection or excellence? God doesn’t expect perfection. In our imperfections God allows us to grow, building confidence through a sense of accomplishment.

“Why didn’t I do this sooner?” is usually the first comment I hear when a person successfully loses weight. All that complaining and believing stinkin’-thinkin’ negativity is time wasted! Whoever said you couldn’t accomplish something?  Unfortunately, whether it’s a parent, employer, acquaintance or sibling, don’t hang around those who express negativity!  It only brings you down.

“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Have you found that if you’re around a chronic complainer, it changes your attitude too? Me too. Now I’ll smile and say something my mother used to say, “Now say two good things.”

Associate with positive people. Even though I assured patients they could indeed lose weight, some kept whining, “You don’t understand, it’s too hard.” Actually, the harder a challenge, the more satisfaction comes in conquering it! Besides the Holy Spirit, you are the only one who lives in your body. Success depends on your mental determination.

I’ve worked with patients who had hundreds of pounds to lose. Talk about mountains to conquer . . . well even climbing a mountain begins with a single step. Start walking!

The Israelites complained almost every day after fleeing Egypt and meeting struggles along the way.  “Oh to be back in the days of leeks, onions, cucumbers, meat and garlic.”  Complain, complain!  I miss a nice drink of water . . . complain! I wish I could take a hot shower . . . complain! Even Moses couldn’t stay positive as he led through challenging circumstances. He lost his optimism around complainers. He then sought positive influences through quiet time and prayer with his Lord.

I understand legitimate gripes – that’s totally different. Everyone has to vent some time. If one holds stress inside, it will come out in self-destructive ways. But either rectify the situation or let it go before it destroys your godly character.

“or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.”   (Proverbs 22:25) 

Negative speech corrupts good thought patterns no matter how strong one is. Remember Job’s friends who simply sat with him at first as a supporter? Then they opened their mouths. As the saying goes, with friends like those, who needs enemies? Pray for spiritual friends who will build you up, not drag you down! Find happy, optimistic people to be around and it’ll change your outlook.

How does one increase positive development?

• Develop your assets. Don’t know what they are? Ask a trusted friend. Remember you’re unique. You don’t have to like everything about yourself but everyone has good points. Discover and embrace yours!
• Do something nice for others. Remember life isn’t all about you. Sharing happiness while helping others is an uplifting feeling!
• Find ways to learn different activities to attract upbeat friends into your life: photography, art, sports, theater, comedy, or some other club.
• Find new influences. Invite positive friends over for coffee or go shopping.
• Read motivating biographies or self-help books. Highlight inspiring points.
• Reward yourself with small non-food treats, Chart accomplishments after reaching goals. It’ll build confidence.

Happiness is a choice. Choose to glorify God and find the peaceful JOY He gives! Rid yourself of the negative influences, both spirituality, and nutritionally.

“A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.” (Proverbs 15:18)

New Year, A New Attitude, New You!

It’s the New Year again! A time of renewal and positive actions.  And yet are you feeling just a bit frazzled?

Have you had a little too much sugar this holiday season??? Does the house look like a disaster area after unwrapping all those presents and having toys underfoot? Need to release some pent-up energy after the in-laws departed?

Fear not, you tell yourself, this too shall pass, and life as I know it will return . . .   Oh, but wait! It’s a New Year – I’m supposed to strive toward a new and healthier attitude. Guilt sets in when you procrastinate.

Hmm, perhaps that’s part of the problem. You’re plain tired!!! All you want to do is get back to “normal” again. That means routine – which means it’s couch potato time once again.

As tempting as it is to curl up under a pile of covers on a cold day! Resolve to make this coming year a truly positive and healthy one instead. (Drink green tea which energizes and assists in weight loss.)

Find family and friends who will involve you in healthier living. (Even if it’s being accountable to someone over the phone.)

Conquer one challenge at a time. Keep it simple. Anything can become too complicated when one tries to do too much in a short allowance of time. Health takes time! Relax and get your support base together and that means a fun family exercise.

Without proper exercise, we’re only spinning our wheels and we’ll never lose that holiday season weight. Muscle is the furnace that burns fat. That’s why exercise should be a daily personal routine. Find something you enjoy as exercise: dancing, walking, pickleball, snowshoeing, or building a snow fort with the kids.

Now I can hear you sigh, “You mean I have to exercise every day?”

“Oh dear,” I reply. “You mean I have to brush my teeth every day?”

Yes. That is unless you enjoy rotting teeth and bad breath.  You choose to brush your teeth each day because the payoff is better than the alternative. Same as health.

And who said exercise needs to be dull? Make exercise fun first of all, and then incorporate different types of exercise into your daily routine so you don’t get bored.  Just like a well-rounded, varied daily diet! I couldn’t eat one type of food forever, could you? Each food contains different vital nutrients. Same as various exercises that assist with firming up different body parts.

Variety really is the spice of life. Did you get an exercise video for Christmas? Use it as a family! Did you get snowed in and couldn’t get to work or school?  Sledding, walking, swimming, skiing, – it’s all exercise. Each exercise works for different muscle groups just as nutrients provide different metabolic benefits as well. Therefore, we need variety.

To enjoy life; relationships, exercise, food, as well as your occupation should be satisfying.  Look forward to family exercise as much as you do sitting down and watching the game on television. Think of the happy memories you’ll create.  There’s always an upside!

Children will remember the times they exercised as a family and enjoyed the fellowship. That’s a wonderful heritage to pass along.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127: 3-5 (ESV)

 

This Should Be Your Favorite Gift!

What Will It Take to Make You Happy This Christmas?

How many times have we overheard someone say, “If only I could win that lottery, my troubles would be over!” “If only we lived in a larger home, we wouldn’t fight all the time.” or “If only I were thinner, I would be happy!”

Christmas is coming soon. What would it take to make us happy?  Would incredible wealth, a great home, Lamborghini, a perfect body, or perhaps gourmet meals with servants to wait on you every night make us happy?

What happens when you reach that goal and there is still emptiness within your soul? What fills the void then?

Adam was created by God Himself, with the perfect physique, and placed in a perfect world but he still wanted something more. Walking with God wasn’t enough for him, and he reached for something he shouldn’t have. Even living in a perfect environment didn’t bring happiness!

Don’t judge him too harshly however for we are still like that today. It’s called “Keeping up with the Joneses.” Many desire what someone else has: a 60-inch TV, a nifty sports car, luxury vacations, an Oscar . . .  a 22-inch waist.

Do you believe having a perfect body will make you happy?

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  (1 Samuel 16:7)

A pure and grateful heart is more pleasing to the Lord than a small waistline or celebrity status.

Perhaps relationships will make us happy? Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob thought that but quickly discovered that spouses, siblings, friends, and children can break a heart. Humans have character flaws and will eventually let you down. Let our plumb line be centered not on others, but on Christ who is truly perfect.

Will money instill happiness? It is futile to believe that if we won the lottery, our worries would be over.  Does great wealth provide security?

No, not even King Solomon found happiness in wealth. Solomon possessed greater monetary possessions than anyone and yet declared, “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”  (Ecclesiastes 1:1b).  He had it all: wine, women, and song but it didn’t buy happiness. Power and other materialistic provisions require a heavier responsibility.

Searching to fill a void in your life without God, leads to various addictions and pain. All Solomon’s wealth, power, and countless idol-worshiping wives drew him further away from his Center of Influence, his LORD God.

Who is your center of influence? Do other people’s opinions mean more to you than the Lord’s? Who controls your temple of the Holy Spirit?  Do you love some component of your life more than God? Have you made a graven image out of your work, a hobby, a relationship, an addiction to food?

If you are not happy within yourself, no amount of materialism or gifts received will change that. You will never be content. You will ultimately search for additional fulfillment. The more wealth Solomon accrued, the more meaningless his life became.

Let God make a difference in your life. Find real Joy by trusting in Christ’s generous sacrifice which brings Salvation and peace. It is a gift from the Lord!

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”  (Philippians 4:12)

Where’s Christmas?

This post was written years ago when we lived up north. Sadly, it seems to be as much or even more appropriate today.

***

The beginning of December, I set out to find a small manger for a Christmas craft project. It could have been anything, on an ornament, a Christmas card, or even a figurine.

First, I went to the Dollar Store. I found nothing Christian but countless sets of Christmas cards with Santa and reindeer on them. Next, I went to Walmart (good luck there.) Nada. Then I walked through Home Depot – absolutely nothing Christian at all, but I could have purchased a red and green six-foot dragon . . . what that has to do with Christmas I’ve yet to figure out.

A few days later, still searching, I traveled to two shopping centers in another town. I checked out Michael’s craft store. The sweet girl acknowledged they used to carry them . . . but searching together, neither of us could find them anywhere. Neither did World Bazaar, J.C. Penny, or T.J. Maxx.

I thought Christian-run Hobby Lobby would undoubtedly carry a small manger scene, even if it was on a postcard! Yet once again, found nothing. I’m praying they were only sold out.

Finally, I found a Lifeway Christian bookstore. Aha! I thought, of course, I’ll find a manger scene here! And yes, I did! It was on a box of spiced apple cider. Desperate to find anything that might work, I purchased the over-priced drink mix, cut out the cardboard manger scene on the front, and pasted it on my craft project. (At least we’ll enjoy the beverage sometime during these cold winter months.)

Halfway through this hectic quest I felt like Charlie Brown, frustratingly asking where was Christmas??? I could find a plethora of Santa’s, sleighs, reindeer antlers, elf hats, chipmunks, cute bears and Grinch’s, but no Christ in Christmas!

Then I thought, at least I can find Christmas at church.  Absolutely! I’ll find Peace on Earth here during this Joyous Season. Instead, I found a church member fussing in public, running around fuming, complaining, blaming others because they felt overworked and unappreciated in their position. (Hey, if your position is primarily to please people and not our Lord, get your priorities straight!)

Then yesterday, as my husband and I were finalizing the Christmas gifts and food for four community families in need; getting ready to drop off our congregation’s many generous donations, I found it. Eureka!

THIS IS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT:  Christmas is about the Joy of Christ – blessing others, not ourselves. Bringing smiles and true Joy freely to others! A Free Gift.

As Jesus left his heavenly home to be born in Bethlehem, living as a man among us, he understood that completely. He beheld some petty frustrations of his friends and the slings and arrows of the Pharisees. He experienced the same feelings, joys, frustrations, challenges, and laughter that we do.  He gave of himself, unselfishly. He sacrificed EVERYTHING, his very life for our pettiness, grumpiness, busyness, and selfish human behavior. All we must do is accept it. That was the best GIFT he could ever give.

Parents -do your children know what is the real reason for Christmas?

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”   (John 3:16)

How Do You Value Your Worth?

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness, I have drawn you” (Jeremiah 31:3)

Hurricane Ian blew through our town in Florida. We already knew the destruction hurricanes can cause. This time we left our home a day before and escaped to a safer area in SE Florida, understanding we might lose everything.

When people go through trials such as this, they tend to question what is important if all was lost.

When faced with challenges, it’s normal to analyze how we’d react. Do we fret about the unknown? What if we lost those precious photos of our children? To me, memory is the most important commodity in my life. That’s what I’d regret.

Would we agonize over the cost to rebuild?  Perhaps. Our lovely church on the Peace River was flooded and gutted, but still stood strong. Friends banded together and donations came in from all over the country. And from disaster, God created Good.

I’m not talking about monetary worth, however – although that is what the world focuses on today. I know where my future lies and it’s not here. But have you ever wondered how much you are worth in another’s eyes?

How does someone create worth? With your employer: Do you demonstrate as much integrity as the hardworking cleaning lady who scrubs the commodes in your building? With your community: Would you serve food to the homeless or would that be too humbling for your Executive position? Money means nothing in God’s Eyes. Million-dollar mansions and mobile homes were undistinguishable in the rubble.

What about family? Many had no clue where their family was during the carnage or what trials they endured following the storm because cell service was nonexistent. How much would a kind word or a phone call afterward be worth? Priceless.

As a counselor, I know patients sometimes numb themselves against heartache by imbibing in harmful chemicals. Yes, drugs and alcohol contain chemicals but you’ll also find feel-good chemicals in foods.

It’s normal to feel sad and lethargic after a shock. Sugar instantly increases energy levels. Sugar is an instant natural mood booster. It sends a signal to the brain to release dopamine, one of the feel-good neurotransmitters.

Chocolate releases endorphins and serotonin, another feel-good chemical. (So does spinach, but get real – which would you reach for?)

The daylight is growing shorter. Do you find yourself rummaging around in the pantry lately, searching for something to make you feel better? How much is that worth? Is it any wonder that we crave something sweet to ease depression and subconsciously, crunchy foods relieve stress?

Is your self-worth tied to your lifestyle? I’m not talking about popularity, even though celebrities get most of the attention and real heroes from Monday are forgotten by the weekend. Our Sports celebrities get recognized while EMTs heroes get relegated to the back of the pack.

Who values your worth? Someday, ask a friend how they’d describe you. What would they say? Are you outgoing? Quiet? Happy-go-lucky? Studious? Aggressive? Kind? Giving? Thrifty? Do you consider these descriptions your true worth?

No, these actions aren’t your real value! Only God sees your true value. He loves and chose you before the beginning of the world.

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love” (Ephesians 1:4)

What someone cherishes, they take care of. Are you, worth the cost? Do you cherish your life as much as Jesus cherished you? To Christ, you were worth dying for! You are priceless. Honor your true worth.