The gifts He brings

Sunrise at the beach house
26 November 2011
c. faithe MTPics 2011

When I need to feel at peace (i.e. not stressed), I often conjure up an image like the one above.......or......like this one......

Paradox Lake as seen from summit of Severance Mt
October 2010
c. faithe MTPics 2010

Being outside, in nature....God's marvelous creation, helps me to be at peace...particularly if I'm at the ocean or in the beloved Adirondacks (or any mountain range, actually!)

This week took off at a very fast pace...and I was starting to feel stressed and panicky......not how I usually feel....working full time does this to me.  I had forgotten just how hectic working all day outside the home can be...and I'm forgetting my own advice to just take things one day at a time, make a to-do list, and breathe.

So..this year I am keeping things simple....even more simple at Christmas than usual.  This is a busy month......my birthday, celebrating St Nicholas Day,  my youngest daughter's birthday, my husband's company xmas party (tomorrow nite!), 3 concerts to attend that our youngest is in at school, 2 extra  community concerts she has due to being in Select Chorus (they perform at the Siena College basketball game on Saturday night in downtown Albany!), my nephew's birthday, his mom's birthday (one of my sisters), my other nephew's birthday, my best friend's birthday, plus of course Christmas, my parents' anniversary, fitting in Christmas with the grandparents, in 2 different directions, and prepping for my college daughter to return home for a month.  And then there's the couples Xmas party we are hosting for my small group, and youth group events.....the list goes on. I am sure some of you can relate to this!  Oh...and don't forget putting up the tree, decorating the house, baking, last minute shopping (although I only need to buy 3 more items!!), wrapping gifts.....and of course cleaning house. And going to work.

Just reading this overwhelms me.  Are you busy?? do you feel a bit stressed??

I was rushing through devotions over the Thanksgiving weekend when I was convicted to just slow down........so on Monday I decided to just slow down.

I read from the Jesus Calling devotional book and turned to the Scriptures listed for that day's entry:

Isaiah 58:11 which states

"The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
   

Isaiah 40:11  

 "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;  he gently leads those that have young."

We can feel His peace in the very inner places of our hearts....if we allow Him to fill us and guide us.

Just like I sat in the morning sunrise.....and continued to sit as the sun rose higher in the sky......I allowed the sun to shine its light on me.....I can receive the Light of Jesus....that Light that comes from being in His Presence....and there's a blessing in that!  The blessing last Friday at this glorious sunrise (in the first picture) was that I was warmed on the deck....I was rejoicing in the beauty and light....and thankful for the peace and quiet that was upon the house.

We can know peace and a quietness in our spirits when we allow His Light to penetrate our dark moments....those moments of stress or anxiety.

Knowing that we need God.....is knowing Him intimately.....there is an intimacy in need..........and that is a gift......

While rushing around this month, choosing the perfect gift for that special somebody....reflect on the Perfect Person who is our Perfect Gift.....Jesus....the Person who came to earth for us....a gift from God.....

...the gift above all other gifts......

.....He brings Peace and Light.......