An e-mail to my Jesus Girl friends :)

Hi, Jesus Girls!

I hope you are all having a fabulous Thanksgiving week!  I'll admit, this year we weren't faithful about writing in our family gratitude journal every day.  I think I've burned my kids out on it, but we still TALK about it (mostly) every day.  Man, I hope that's enough!  :)  Last night I spent a few minutes on Pinterest while I was winding down, and Melissa Smith pinned something that made me smile and think of you.  Thanks, Melissa!

Be joyful always

pray continually

give thanks in all circumstances

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Look at those words again, friends--always, continually, all circumstances...not just when we have abundantly, not just when things are going our way, not just when we're gearing up to get more stuff...always.  Continually.  In all circumstances.

This is a time of year that begs comparison, want, overindulgence...don't play the game.  Chances are, if you're reading this, that you have ENOUGH.  

Enough is enough.

Enough is all we need.

This time of year encourages us to want MORE, to not be satisfied with enough.  I'll be honest, it got me yesterday at IKEA.  I went in looking for a cheap lamp and I found one--but I came out dissatisfied because somehow while I was in there I decided I needed a new table for my work corner.  This hounded me all day, and it made me MAD.  I don't like that feeling of want, and dissatisfaction.  I must have sounded like a petulant child when my sweet Boy asked me what's wrong and I said, "I don't like WANTing!  I'm trying so hard to be grateful to have a corner to work in and work to do in the corner..."  

But I need to not try as hard, and just 

Be joyful always

pray continually

give thanks in all circumstances

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This week especially, let us be grateful for enough--even if it's not what we thought it was going to look like.  Even if it's less than our siblings or neighbors or friends.  And as we head into the next most wonderful time of the year, let's agree to focus less on the busyness of the season and as a group of friends, help keep the next few weeks Christ-centered.  No matter what the calendar says, this is a time of year when we celebrate our Savior's birth.

Let it sink in, friends.

Our Christ came to earth just like we did, just like our babies did.

To be born of a woman.  A girl, really.

To be born human, vulnerable...to live to teach us, and die to save us.

He was born to die.

For me.

For you.

For our babies.

THAT is what we are celebrating.

Now, if you know me or you read my blog, you know we do a lot more celebrating around here.  Santa will visit us, and we've had an elf friend for most of Kayci's life.  We have traditions that we love, and little celebrations constantly.  And like some of you, James and I will struggle daily with balancing that stuff with the birth of Jesus and what a huge, huge gift that was and is every day.  

I'm rambling.  These are the things on my mind even as I gear up with groceries and figuring out seating for more people than will fit comfortably in our house.  :)  Another ramble--I bet my Grandma never once worried about stuff like, will I have enough chairs? Or where will everyone sit?  We just FIT...tons of us in her small house.  And it wasn't a big deal that there was only one bathroom, we just took turns.  I remind myself of that when we have a houseful here in the little green house.  I hope you'll remind yourself of those times, too, if you're stressing this week about table settings and perfect recipes and...whatever you're stressing about.  

Enjoy preparing your house.  Or preparing your family for travel.  

Cherish the time in the kitchen, or the car.  

And if you're struggling with these things or finding things to be grateful about, don't beat yourself up.

Yes, you, who even as you're reading this are beating yourself up and withdrawing...don't do it.

Talk about it.  Find a girl friend or mentor you trust and talk about it.  Call me--I know what it is to struggle with these things.  And I know what it is to come out on the other side, as well, and fight NOT to go back.  

Don't spend another day wondering why you can't be joyful--find your joy.

It's in the manger.  On the cross.  Walking the dusty roads finding people to minister to.  Walking on water.  Calming the seas.  Sitting at the right hand of His Father.  Loving you, loving me.

Friend, I love you.  But more importantly, Jesus loves you.  If you're reading this, you're a Jesus Girl.  Let's go into this season as Jesus Girls, not frantic, busy, dissatisfied mamas.

Deal?

I can't wait to see you all next week...hmm, guess I'd better bust out that homework, no?

Have a wonderful, wonderful Thanksgiving.  And know that as I'm counting my blessings this week, you're on the list.

Big hugs,

:) Kristi