Yesterday, I had the privilege of meeting with a very close friend of mine for a quick dinner. Both of us arrived at Panera exhausted, worn, and ready to be filled. We both had all our buttons pushed, we were feeling guilty, and beat down. While the hot chocolate with chocolate chocolate chip marshmallows and a gluten-free double chocolate cookie was looking REALLY good to me at that moment, I opted to eat a soup and salad and prevent myself from spiraling down even more…lol! But as we bowed our heads to pray before our meal, she prayed words that really resonated with me at that moment. She said “Lord, help us to remember what the real JOY of CHRISTmas is and that is Jesus.” God really spoke to me at that moment and I really needed to stop and listen.
I think my friend reaching out to me to meet with her was God’s hand reaching out to me to stop and listen. With all that has gone on in the past six months with building a ministry organization along with everything thing else in our family, I am still trying to find the right balance in it all. Meeting with my friend really brought that all home to me and gave me a fresh new look on where my priorities need to be. I know with starting a business, the first year or more can be very challenging. But with that said, I know that life doesn’t have to be such a struggle just because we are growing a ministry. I have to find the right balance to enJOY the journey as we grow.
So I told my friend that the time I felt I was able to handle things the best since I started this blog and our JOYFull Oily Ministry is when I did my 30-day tickle challenge. Basically, the Holy Spirit “tickled” my heart and I felt I needed to change. I prayed James 1:19 over my life and allowed God to work through my issues of busyness, impatience, and more:
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry..
I worked hard on making sure I was listening and doing. I was intentional about listening to my children, making time for them, and being slow to get angry. Was I perfect? Absolutely not. But I did see a significant change in me and in my family. So what happened? I got sloppy and let the busyness back into my life.
This Christmas, I want to give my family the gift of JOY and I want to be an intentional mom and wife as I grow our JOYFull Oily Ministry. I want them to know that even when life gets eventFULL and things may not be as routine or we have to go with Plan B, that God, our family, my marriage, and our health will come first over everything else.
So my friend and I decided we would pray for each other and every day choose JOY. We both love Young Living’s JOY essential oil so we took it to another level. I decided to say “Today, I choose JOY,” and pray James 1:19 over my life as I put on my JOY essential oil and reflect on “Jesus Others Yourself.” I want to remember that if I put Jesus first and take care of others, I have to remember to take care of myself too. That way I am not pouring out of an empty cup. I can choose to be a better mom, friend, daughter, sister, wife, and ministry builder for those around me.
Sometimes the gifts under the tree are NOT the gifts that our family really needs. The gift they need is YOU. The gift they need is to see the true JOY of CHRISTmas that can only come from the light of JESUS shining through YOU. You may be the only chance someone has of seeing what it means to truly be loved. When you allow Christ to shine through you, you can do amazing things. YOU may never live to see the impact you have on someone’s life, even your own family, but believe me when I say that you planting seeds that can grow is better than not planting a seed at all.
Merry Christmas to YOU my friends. Thank you for your likes, your comments, your follows, your prayers, and for sharing my posts with others. Having you in my life this past year has truly been a blessing to me!
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The best gifts we can give are the ones we can’t wrap up in pretty paper and place under the tree. What gift will you be giving this Christmas?
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I find it so amazing how much in common we have, I have also have been working on slowing down and trying not to get overwhelmed and angry. It does help when you do something for yourself. I’ve been listening to music, exercise even if it’s for 5 minutes (better than nothing), little things that refuel my happy meter. I didn’t have this verse which I’m glad I found through you!
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry..
Reading your posts are a gift to me as I always find something inspiring or soul lifting.
When I give gifts, I always try my best to make it something meaningful from the heart, when I can home made. I baked with the boys and made homemade ornaments.
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We do have so much in common my friend. I think that is why our paths crossed over a year ago when we were both just trying to figure things out. You were decluttering your house and pregnant. I loved reading all about giving and getting rid of things that could be a blessing to others. I read you post on homemade gifts back in December??? and I loved it! You are so sweet and so loving. You give from your heart and I think that is the best kind of gifts to give. I totally get you on the exercise. Some days, the squats and leg lifts I do when I brush my teeth is the only exercise I get in. We do the best we can in the season of life we are in. It is important to take care of ourselves so we can pour out our love to others. I always love hearing from you. Thank you for visiting me. Thank you for your encouragement. Blessings.
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Thank you so much for your kind words, they mean a lot. I think is moms really all relate more than we think! Xo
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Very true!
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Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts on Christmas! You made me really think about the true meaning of Christmas. I think one of the things I’ve tried to focus on this Christmas season is to be sensitive to the needs of others. I had a friend who seemed to be having a really hard time. She didn’t want to talk about it much, but I dropped a caramel apple off at her house just because. It did cheer her up. It’s the little things at times. Have a Merry Christmas! Thank you for the positive message!
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Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I’m so glad you were able to be a blessing to a friend in need. It is amazing what a little time and love can do to uplift those around us. Thank you for sharing your love and being intentional about reaching out to others. One person can make a big difference in this world! Merry Christmas! Blessings.
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Merry Christmas my friend. You are a beautiful example to me and others of living a Christ-like life. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family, who are blessed to have you as their mama and wife. 💛
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Thank you for your kind words, Camie. That means so much to me. I truly appreciate you and our friendship. I love hearing from you and reading your inspiring posts. Thank you for sharing your life with me. Merry Christmas to you and your family. enJOY being close to your kids this Christmas. Blessings.
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Christmas is a colorful season
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