This thought changed the way I see Christmas

Hi friends,

Are you like me—still reeling from how quickly Thanksgiving came and went, and now Christmas is just a few weeks away? My mom always says that the older she gets, the quicker time passes… and I believe it!

As I reflected on November, I celebrated so many answered prayers. But I also realized this: I would have forgotten most of them if I hadn’t written them down. If you don’t already record the answers to your prayers, I encourage you to start this month. It grows my faith to flip back and see the quiet, steady ways God has been moving. Some answers come within the week; others are months in the making. But seeing them written reminds me of His grace, His timing, and His attention to the details of our lives.

December Prayer Guide — God Our Deliverer

This month we’re focusing on God as our Deliverer—the One who frees, rescues, protects, and leads us out of captivity and hardship.

The linked December Prayer Guide includes verses that highlight this aspect of His character. I encourage you to look up more passages, jot them in the margins, and let Scripture guide your praise. Our own interaction with the Word becomes the most meaningful.

Advent Reading

Today I began an Advent reading called Good News of Great Joy. If you’d like to join in, you can download it for free.

A thought that stood out to me this morning was:

“If you can only make Christmas exciting with material things, how will children get a thirst for God?”

Such a needed reminder that can literally change the way we see Christmas. Flint and I are planning a movie date with our oldest granddaughter — popcorn, cookies, and The Birth Story of Jesus.

What about you? Consider meaningful, Kingdom-centered ways you can spend intentional time with the young ones in your life this season. We also want to go see David the Movie - check out the trailer here. It is suitable for older children and your grown kids too. I hope we can do it for a date night!

Book Update

If you’re new here, a quick backstory: I’ve been writing a book for the past year called Firm Foundation: Resilience After Trauma, where I share the spiritual and practical tools God taught me after our son survived cardiac arrest in 2013. It’s written as a gentle companion for anyone walking through pain and rebuilding their life with Christ — slowly, honestly, and with hope.

For so long it seemed like the book was moving at a snail’s pace. It has felt like hurry, hurry, hurry… and then WAIT.

I’ve now turned in the revised manuscript and am currently awaiting the Copy Assist Editor’s review of grammar and punctuation (my least favorite part!). Once that comes back to me, I’ll make the corrections and then submit my final manuscript.

I’m still hoping for a February publication date to avoid conflict with the busy real estate months, but I trust the Lord’s timing. The book will be released on the exact date He already knows.

Journaling Class

Yesterday I led an in-person journaling class at my church. One of the most significant teachings from the Seeing Jesus Together journal is the “I feel” statements. I share this in my book and want you to be able to practice it right away because the benefits are amazing. Begin your journaling with

I feel (describe feeling here) because of (name circumstance here).

Example: I feel sad because my Christmas tree fell over.

My tree didn't fall over thank goodness, but you get the idea. Connecting with your own feelings help us identify where we have appropriate responses and appropriate level of that response.

Marriage

Many of you have reached out about marriage—through texts, emails, or conversations—and it has been encouraging to hear that we’re not alone in wanting to strengthen this area of our lives. Lots of you are reading Wife After God and Husband After God with your spouses. That's a win for everyone!

My pastor, Earl Bradshaw, recently shared that he and his wife read Scripture and pray together every morning before leaving for work. Flint and I are considering how that might fit into our own mornings. Maybe it’s something you and your spouse could consider too.

I’ve also shared with some of you about The Power of Prayer to Change Your Marriage by Stormie Omartian. It’s a wonderful resource. Here is one of the prayers from the book:

“Lord, teach us to listen to one another and recognize

the signs in each other that give us greater understanding.

Help us find things we enjoy doing together so that we

will grow closer and not apart. Enable us to communicate

love, appreciation, and honor to each other at all times.

Help us to take instant authority over any attack the

enemy brings against us—especially in the area of

communication. Help us to settle all matters of disagreement

between us in a loving, compromising, and considerate

manner. Enable us to always be in unity with You

and with each other.”

As we step into December, I’d love for you to join me in leaning intentionally toward the Lord—through the Prayer Guide, the Advent reading, and especially those small, meaningful moments with family. Download the guide, and let’s prayerfully walk this season together with hearts anchored in Christ.