Since Kate has taken over Five Minute Friday (http://katemotaung.com/2014/12/04/five-minute-friday-dear-and-an-e-book-for-you/), the word prompts have tended to more … challenging. Instead of just a single word, they tend to make you think about how the word pairs with other thoughts.
This week, the prompt is DEAR.
Here’s what came through my fingers from my mind. The timer is set, so let’s GO…
Dear Friends:
Happy Holidays!
It’s been a wild and wacky year for me, always keeping busy. I welcomed my second great-granddaughter and a granddaughter (grandchild No. 18). I visited with them with trips to Ohio (in January) and Massachusetts (in September) … just part of my travels this year that took me to the Jersey shore a couple of times and my second home — albeit not a physical place — in Maine a couple of times. A couple of other trips were sprinkled in to keep the odometer spinning as well.
The highlight was having my entire family visit — all five children, most of their children and most of their children’s children! The pretext was my grandson’s high school graduation but it turned into a perfect family reunion with some of the clan missing.
From there, I embarked on a four day journey with 10 of my grandchildren that included a trip to the Jersey shore, a stop at Carlo’s Bakery and time in New York City, including a visit to the Empire State Building. STOP
And I can’t forget celebrating my grandaunt’s 100th birthday and burying a close friend … both in August in New Jersey.
I’ve stayed busy at work, too. It’s not easy being the owner of a small business — which means you’re also the janitor and everything in between.
Well, that catches you up. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Joe
After re-reading the text, I was reminded of what Ron Hutchcraft said just this week. In short, it was how Martha gets into the Christmas story. I even included it as my Higher Road feature in the paper this week and, of course, it can be found on his website, https://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-mission/how-did-martha-get-in-the-christmas-story-7277.
These informative updates we send and receive all have a common theme … busyness. And that’s where Martha comes in. Remember? She was the sister who was so distracted by all the preparations that had to be made she didn’t spend the time with Jesus like her sister Mary.
At this time of year, we all seem to emulate Martha. It busy, busy, busy with work, meetings, school, Girl Scouts, basketball, boyfriends all competing with Christmas preparations. I’m with Ron on this one: “I’m realistic enough to know you’re not going to cancel all your plans … all the running around before Christmas. But if possible, how about lowering your expectations of yourself? Don’t try to do a year’s worth of everything in the next few days. And more importantly, stop right now and put a reserved sign on some prime time between now and Christmas. Commit yourself to quality time with Jesus each morning from now through Christmas. It will stabilize you during these stressful days. Wouldn’t it be ironic if Christmas actually crowded out your time with Christ?”
After all, Jesus is the reason for the season. Put Him first. Put your time with Him first. Make everything else fit around His time.
THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, wisdom to know the difference.
The Light 
I find it funny how we are five minute friday buddies again. 🙂 It made me think of last week and how I prayed God would make a way for you to have special time with your grandkids. God lead me to this verse today, about my wonderings whether or not I should go bacj to school, or see if He will open another way. I want to share it with you: in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. (Romans 1:10) I’ve been reading it as God coming to me, but I think it can apply to Him clearing out fear, doubt, apathy, all the things that make us busy, and bring us to a place of peace. With Him.I pray you receive that this Christmas. 🙂 and some memories to treasure with your family.
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Glad you stopped by again 🙂 You’re always welcome! I have a lot of special times with my grandkids. Now for you … God is always speaking to us. We just have to listen. If I don’t connect with you before Christmas, Have a Merry, Peace-filled Christmas celebrating the real reason for the season. 🙂
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Thank you. 🙂
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Awesome story about time with your whole family. The more time passes the more the chance that our next meetings with loved ones will be a funeral. We need not wait for that to be the occasion. You have the right idea. Declare a family reunion when the opportunity is there.
I couldn’t agree more with what you said here “Commit yourself to quality time with Jesus each morning from now through Christmas. It will stabilize you” Stabllize – and keep you calm.
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Thank you. Whenever you can connect with family — individually or collectively — it’s a win-win situation. I try to spend time with my children and grandchildren and bring them together whenever I can. Hope you have a blessed and peace-filled Christmas.
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Yes. Put your time with Him first. Make everything else fit around His time. EXCELLENT!!
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Thank you. It’s always about priorities. Have a blessed and peace-filled Christmas.
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Wow, so wonderful (so inspiring for me at this period in my life) to see what a full life you lead, with so many family so close (in spirit if not in physical location). I didn’t know you were a small business owner (I am too): I chuckled to myself at your lines about that! [There is none else to turn to when you run your own business! Everything falls on one’s own shoulders! It’s a blessing and a curse!]….loved your thought to remember this week: something I definitely needed to hear and ruminate on….loved your post (as always)….have a lovely weekend….
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Thank you very much. There’s been a lot of water over my dam and now I try to give something back. You have a peaceful weekend, which reminds me, I have to take the trash out 🙂
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