~Ephesians 1:15-16~
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
Christmas seems to be sneaking up on me every day. Did you know that it's less than three weeks until Christmas?
Um, yea. I was shocked too. It took a good whiff from a bottle of sunblock to bring me back.
I had to laugh at my little sister's intelligent little speech on Christmas the other day. You never know where one of those is gonna go, especially when she starts with, "Do you know what Christmas is all about?"
It was even better when she answered her own question with, "It's about sharing" in such a stated, sure way. My mom gave Liv a weird look and eventually got her to say, "and Jesus' birthday."
I guess you could say Christmas is about giving. That sort of sums it up. Jesus being given to the world, Santa giving presents, people giving presents, time, pepper spray, the whole sha-bang. And I've totally started to realize that it's uber-hard to have a servant's heart all the time. Like when my dad commanded asked my sister and I if we would wash the dishes for my mom (that's a Christmas present idea right there!). I, being the wonderful, giving person that I am, told my sister to start them. Because starting the dishes is always the worse - you can't see out the window above the sink the dishes are piled so high. Not to mention finding the Dobie requires goggles, bio-hazard suits, and an oxygen tank.
Maybe this isn't a huge deal (in my defense, I started the dishes the last three times we did them), but if I'm not willing to wash up a few plates and forks, then will I ever truly be willing to step beyond that? How can I give my whole self to serve God and others when I won't even give a little time and a pair of pruny hands to help my mom out?
One last little thought I had on the passage I wrote up top. I've been reading through Ephesians (which after I started I realized I already did it last month... I guess if I forgot already, it's not a bad idea to go through it again), one sentence at a time (it's actually more rewarding than you would think), and that's what I read last night. And after reading it, thinking, reading again, thinking some more, not finding anything much deeper than what was written, I said to myself, "You know, Self, that's the one thing I never think to thank God for - other Christians." I never really pray, "Dear God, thank you for Susie Lou and for saving her - you're so awesome! Bless her walk with you." There are just SO many things I can pray for, thank God for, praise God for, it's hard to think of everything. But I think this is going to get added to my list.
Why not praise God for the people He's saved? Got any friends He's softened the hearts of who are now Christians? The missionaries He's sent around the world? The believers serving you? And don't just thank Him for those people - praise Him for saving those people and doing amazing things in their lives! Be specific. I'm not one for the general "God, bless the whole world, amen"-type prayers (I like to go by each continent), but if you can't get specific, be general, or find a way to get specific! Christian Solidarity Worldwide has been one way I've personally been able to put a face on believers around the world I don't know. Voice of the Martyrs is another fantastic resource.
So yea, just an encouragement (or several) to you to be a servant and pray for those around the world who love Jesus!
Cheers<3
To get you in the mood (the Christmas one). One of my favorite "new" Christmas songs :D
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