Thank you, ladies, for such an awesome time together! What a wonderful day of laughter, encouragement, and fellowship! May we all remember to give God “All me.”
Tag: Christmas
2021 Creative Craft & Swap
What a fantastic time we had together! Thank you, ladies, for making Saturday so much fun! We enjoyed a wonderful testimony from Cindy that was encouraging to us all. We all survived using glue guns with minimal injury. We enjoyed all kinds of yummy foods. Then we laughed until our sides hurt!
Merry Christmas 2020
Hi everyone. Well, 2020 is coming to an end. There’s been many challenges this year that came in different forms. With the challenges came changes.
When a storm comes, clouds form and the sky gets darker and darker. And then it hits. The length of a storm varies, but after the storm there is a freshness, a washing of sorts, of nature and civilization. Where once there was dirt, grime, and heaps of leaves, now there are flowers pushing their way through all that to reach up and bloom with an array of color and foliage. Even streets look brighter. They have been changed by a storm.
Through this storm may we be changed and emerge with a freshness, a renewed passion for the life we have been called to as children of God. He is speaking to us! I ask myself and each of you “are we listening?”
Christmas may be different this year, not large gatherings, but the meaning and the focus has not changed. Emmanuel, God With Us. Jesus left all of glory and came to be our Redeemer, giving us life eternal through his death, burial. and resurrection. We can REJOICE in that truth and celebrate our life in Him.
We love each one of you and wish you A Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
Ornament Swap
We really enjoyed our time together at the annual Ornament Swap! 2020 has been a rough year, but Jesus still sits on His throne! And today we celebrated our Savior! There was fun, encouragement, laughter, and even a few tears. And boy, oh boy, were there beautiful ornaments all up for grabs! Thank you, ladies, for joining us. We hope you left today with joy in your heart and were encouraged in your faith. Now go share those special invitations with someone who needs to hear the real reason for the season!
Christmas Joy
It was my 5th store looking for that perfect gift. Christmas was still three weeks away and I was already exhausted. Work obligations and gatherings with family and friends had not slowed down since Thanksgiving. I desperately wanted some time to exhale. Can you relate? I can’t help but wonder is this what God wants? I got into my car to head home without the item I had hoped to find. There was baking to be done tonight for the elementary school celebration.
As I pulled into the driveway I couldn’t help but notice the bright star right above our home. Was God trying to tell me something? I walked into the house to be greeted by our pair of terriers so excited to have anyone home. Shortly after, the kids came in the door with their dad, dirty and tired from soccer. While they hit the showers, my husband came into the kitchen and gave me a quick hug, too quick. I just wanted to stay embraced in his arms for a little while longer. He opened the fridge door and retrieved a soda. Brushing past me he went to change clothes and find a game on TV to watch.
I pulled all the ingredients out for the dessert I was making and begin to blend the flour with cocoa. Opening the pantry door to throw away the empty containers I was looking at an overflowing bag. Once again our son had not taken out the trash even though we had just discussed this with him two days ago. Sitting the containers down I pulled the bag out, tied it up, and went out back to put it in the large trash can. There was that star again, was it brighter than when I first got home? I stood there just gazing at it, and once again couldn’t help but wonder if God was trying to get my attention. The wise men had followed a star that led them to the Messiah.
Walking back inside I finished the dessert and went upstairs to take a long bath. After soaking for thirty minutes, I got up with my skin looking like a prune. Putting my robe on I walked over to the window and there it was again. The star! Just like a light being switched on, it hit me. God was telling me, “Stay focused on Me. After all I am the reason for all this celebrating.”
Have you ever felt like you were the last one to get something? My heart had been aching for some peace and it was right there all the time in Jesus. He had put that star in front of me three times saying, “I’m here, just whisper my name.” We find ourselves exhausted from our schedules. God says, “Come and sit with me awhile. Take time to truly enjoy Me and the gifts I have given you.” He tells us, “Be still and know I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ~ Matthew 11:28-29
Father, forgive us when we get caught up in the hustle and bustle, and before we know it we have left You out of Christmas. Without you there would be no Christmas! May we be intentional about exhaling, resting in you, and rejoicing in the gift of Your love and salvation. Keep us sensitive to the ways you speak to us, even by a star. Amen.
Blessings,
The WM Team
(image credit: crosswalk.com)
Red Bank Baptist Women's Ministry 