December | 2014 | brady, mark a.

“Tis the season!” so they say, but for what? Is this the season to spend too much money? Go in debt? Extend ourselves beyond belief? Get so tired and then possibly grouchy? (Like me) Honestly I have found it so difficult this year to quiet my heart and mind to focus on why we do all this crazy stuff we do to so call, “Celebrate Christmas”. Even now my mind is thinking of starting a new “To-Do-List”.

Why can’t I go to a quiet manger right now, and get on bended knee (if it didn’t hurt too much to get ba manger ck up) and to truly worship the King of Kings? When Jesus was born Mary and Joseph didn’t go to one party, but yet their hearts rejoiced, their spirits danced, and their voices were no doubt raised to sing praises to the Christ child. Knowing that this baby was the savior of the world. Can you even begin to imagine the responsibility they had? I’m sure the instructions probably just said, “Love”, and “Handle with Care”.

I think those instructions are perfect for today as well. “Love” and “Handle with Care”. Do this for those you encounter, and especially for the ones who call you family.

May God bless every one of you above all you could ever imagine. (Eph 3:20)

Merry Christmas

What is it about the other side? What is it on the other side that looks so appealing? Is it really better than what we already have on the side we are on? If we waited long enough would what is on the other side be on our side? Will what is on the other side satisfy us any better than what we have? Or will going after what is on the other side cause us to get stuck? Stuck in a bad relationship, a bad job, a bad business deal? Causing us to ask ourselves, “Now what?” Perhaps it is always better to just be content with what we have on the side we are on.

Paul (from the bible) said it like this:

Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. (Phi. 4:11-13 MSG)

Author Shauna Niequist once said, “If you want the grass to be green on your side of the fence then water it.”

So be happy with what you have. Stop looking to see what is on the other side. You might just learn that what you have is pretty good after all, and perhaps everyone else is wanting what you have on your side?