Season of Joy

Here we are in the month of December, in the season of celebrating the birth of our Lord, the greatest season of peace, joy, love.

December is also the month where gray and white color schemes reign... except in the opening or closing moments of daylight when the skies often open up to glorious colors.

The memory of gray days fades when they end like this!

Or days when the snow blankets the world, and the sun warms the world with its last glance of the day. 

When the sun comes out, even just for a few moments, joy reigns in the world.

Had lunch with a dear friend of mine recently at a delightful little spot overlooking the lake. 

While my friend and I were together, I received a phone call from another friend who accidentally dialed my phone number.  While we talked, she asked me if I would look for a 1-year devotional bible for her, she needed 3 of them.  I knew of a thrift shop that doesn't charge for bibles, so I told her that we would look for these devotional bibles. 

We enjoyed salmon chowder, hot rolls, and salad, as we fellowshipped and
shared what the Lord was doing in our lives. 

This restaurant had such lovely ambience, and we were able to sit and talk for what seemed like several hours.  Mostly our conversation was concerning the world events around us, the return of the Lord, and the longing in our hearts for His return.  We finished our meal and headed to the thrift store. I did not find any bibles my other friend was looking for, but I found a book that looked interesting and bought it.  It is called "Morning and Evening Devotions by Charles Spurgeon". 

When I got home that evening, I opened the book to see what it had to say for that day, which was December 4th.  To say I felt goosebumps as I read the devotional for the day was an understatement!  Below is the devotion that was written for December 4th. 

It is interesting to note that this devotion was written back in the 1860s, over 150 years ago... and yet still relevant with its message today... The Lord has heard our groanings in the spirit!  To quote directly from the last part of the passage it says

 

"We are to groan for glorification, but we are to wait patiently for it, 

knowing that what the Lord appoints is best. 

Waiting implies being ready.  

We are to stand at the door expecting the Beloved to open it and take us away to Himself.  

This "groaning" is a test. 

You may judge of a man by what he groans after. 

Some men groan after wealth - they worship Mammon;

some groan continually under the troubles of life - they are merely impatient;

but the man who sighs after God who is uneasy till he is made like Christ, that is the blessed man. 

May God help us to groan for the coming of the Lord 

and the resurrection which he will bring to us."

 

It was incredible how God took a message written 150 years ago, an accidentally dialed phone call, and a book picked from a shelf of hundreds of books to relay a message to us that He heard our groanings, and to reassure us that our redemption draweth nigh! 

It also was a reassurance to my friends and I that God speaks to us even in the little things of life! 

 

I went to a local craft show recently, and found this delightful shelf, along with the little red clock, and the wooden sewing machine.  I painted the frame white and added a scripture picture to it.  I also covered some 1" blocks with paper to say the word "Pray". I hung the shelf in my craft room.  I spend a lot of time in this room, and this shelf is a constant reminder of the things that are important in my life. 

Walking in the little bit of snow that we got recently.  Annie-girl was more than thrilled to see the snow, as was I!

Riley agrees! They are my two snow-angels, they dearly love the snow! 

My decorations for Chrismas are simple this year, quiet reminders of the reason for the season.  

A nativity given to me by a friend. I painted the wooden sign "Joy". 

This pillow was gifted to me last year in a blog drawing and I am enjoying it again this year!

Another reason I love succulents so.... the cold and snow doesn't bother them a bit! 

This is a wreath made from materials at the Dollar Tree,
and adds the perfect festive touch to the front door. 

I may have written about these rolls before,
but really, they deserve another mention. 
The recipe (below) says they are 30 Minute rolls,
but I like to give them an extra 5 minutes to rise, and an extra 5 minutes in the oven,
making them 40 Minute Rolls. 

Another recent sunset... how each one of them has been treasured this December,
as we've had an unusual amount of gray days with rain, and not much snow. 

My sweet friends that come to meet us each morning as we walk by, rain or shine! 

As this season of celebrating our Lord's birth is upon us, I wish all of you a blessed Christmas full of the sweet presence of the Lord and pray that the gifts He brought to us of peace, joy, and love fill your heart and home!