Suspecting I was pregnant, I left a sample with the nurse I worked with and tried to go back to my receptionist duties while she performed the test. I answered phones, greeted patients and scheduled appointments for what seemed like hours but in reality was only minutes. She soon returned, trying not to show any emotion on her face, and slipped a small piece of paper in my jacket pocket. After making sure no one was looking in my direction, I pulled the slip out and read the words: POSITIVE! Positive, we were going to have a baby. Positive, our lives were about to change forever.
After sharing the news with family and friends the waiting began. I was so excited! It seemed like everything we did in those months was somehow in preparation for her arrival from planning of the nursery (primary colors) to the choosing of her name (Bethany). We lived in constant anticipation and expectation of her arrival. Although it's been years (she is a beautiful young adult), I will never forget that anticipation.
This season of Christmas is a time we reflect upon the birth of Jesus. God sent the angel Gabriel to his chosen servant Mary to deliver the news. "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." "You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." (see Luke 1)
This baby's birth was anticipated like none had ever been before or none will ever be. This tiny infant, born in a humble stable, was come to deliver us. This little baby who would learn, and laugh, and love like other children would one day be the King of Kings.
Just as His earthly birth was so greatly longed for, how much more should we expect and prepare for His daily arrival in our hearts and lives. He so wants to fellowship with us.
My life gets so busy, so full, that I often, like the innkeeper, have no room for Him. But I long to make room, so much room, in my heart this day. I want to anticipate His arrival daily, with great expectation. He is already here waiting.
Merry Christmas friends!
Here is a link to the beautiful Christmas song, You're Here by Francesca Battistelli - enjoy!
We awoke to a heavy dusting of snow this morning, nothing to
be measured in inches. Just enough to blanket the ugly in a robe of wintery
white. The last of the weeds poking
through the earth that didn’t get pulled before winter set in. The downed branches and clutter from the days
before windstorm. The fast food trash
carelessly tossed from someone’s window and laying beside the road.
A covering of white.
The ugly transformed.
Our nation has seen a lot of ugly lately. Ugly that cannot be easily explained. Hearts broken, lives forever altered,
questions unanswered, tears shed and so much gut wrenching grief.
It has not went unnoticed that this ugliness has come during
the season in which we celebrate the birth of Christ. The surroundings had turned ugly at that time
too. People in need of hope then. People in need of hope now. And that is why He came.
Jesus takes our ugly and transforms us through
His love, His sacrifice. He mends broken
hearts and renews lives. Takes what is meant for evil and makes good. Brings beauty
from ashes. Turns mourning to joy.
A covering of white.
The ugly transformed.
As we continue to pray we can give of our transformed hearts by sharing hope and healing:
There are simply no words...so we pray.
(The winner of the DQ gift card is Dee: I will be e-mailing you for your mailing address.)
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want
May my focus be on you and not be distracted by the bright and shiny baubles everywhere I go during this Christmas season.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quite waters
May I make time from the flight of hustle and bustle this season for down time, you and me time, in the pastures beside Your river.
He restores my soul
And send me out restored...to soar again.
Linking up for Money Shot Monday with Flowerpatchfarmgirl and Tuesday's Unwrapped with Chatting at the Sky.
Scripture from Psalm 23 (NIV)
I am linking up today with Layla and over 400 of her closest friends to share this years Christmas mantle. I feel like I am a bit late to the party but when it's this big I just have to put on my dress and join in.
The centerpiece is a nativity I purchased this year at Marshall's for $16.99. We have lots of grey's and silver's in our room, especially at Christmas, so I couldn't pass up this find.
The candlesticks are reproduction mercury glass we purchased a few year's ago from Target's Christmas section but I leave them out all year. The tall white candles are also a few years old from Dollar Tree. They had labels on them that I was able to soak off. I have since seen these same candles sans the label for the same price. Oh well...
The trees in the background are felt and were also a Dollar Tree purchase a couple years ago. I usually put them in the window but stuck them on the mantle on a whim and loved them there. The glittery Falalalala was a local find.
The verse above the mantle was found here from Jones Design Co. She has the most wonderful printables in her shop. This one she offered as a free download - score! I printed it out on a textured paper and, because I didn't want to put a hole in the wallpaper, I made a "frame" by using a coordinating textured paper and an Exacto knife to make a paper one.
Thanks for the invite Layla! What fun it is to see what everyone else has come up with this year to decorate and celebrate this season of Love. Click the link below to join in or see hundreds of inspirational ideas.
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Hello
Welcome! My name is Mindy. I live in the rural Pacific Northwest where we celebrate life in the country. I dip my toes in writing, decorating, DIY, baking, classic literature, gardening and photography. I strive to find beauty in the ordinary and blessing in the extraordinary.
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