Merry CHRISTmas Encouragement with All My Love

Merry, Merry CHRISTmas!

I pray this finds you happy, healthy, and full of joy!

As I thought about what to say today—how to wrap up 2014—I axed the fancy in favor of simple, straight-from-the-heart, down home me. I hope you won’t mind.

I think a little love and encouragement are in order. Woohoo!

But first…

2014 ushered in change. Some bitter along with the sweet.

A few professional doors closed, while others firmly opened.

After almost two decades I reunited with my dear friend, Beth.

My father-in-law passed away suddenly. We take comfort in knowing he’s in heaven, but please continue to remember my mother-in-law and our entire family in your prayers. It’s still a season of transitions.

We adopted Miranda. (You can read about our kitty adventures here, here, and here.)

We purchased a new refrigerator. Why such a big deal? Well, in case you missed it, it was… memorable.

Despite the up-and-down twists and turns of the publishing industry, I remained focused and determined. For my writer-friends, I wrote this post just for you.

The point is life happened, as it so often does.

And as you well know, our days—however stretched, however challenged—continue to hum along. That’s just the nature of God’s plan.

What we see as milestones, inconveniences, and downright gut-wrenching forks-in-the-road, our Heavenly Father sees as stairsteps to victory. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Still, I won’t sugarcoat it, friend.

Being a Christian doesn’t mean we have it all figured out or that we’ll never face adversity. It means hard times will come. Circumstances will happen. The muck and mire of life will pluck away at our resolve, no matter our hope and faith in the bigger picture.

Why?

Because we’re human.

Because the enemy wants nothing better than to steal, kill, and destroy. To totally upend and do intense harm.

The good thing?

The blow-our-socks-off, miraculous, God-ordained good thing?

Well—it’s this.

What we face on earth on a day-to-day basis is a mere blip on God’s radar. In the now, situations overwhelm. They taunt. They tempt. They threaten to take us down.

But in the light of forever, a new day is coming.

The little baby who came to this old world in human form 2,000 years ago—the one who lived, breathed, and walked among ordinary men—is the same Savior who not only made a way, but signed, sealed, and delivered that promise in literal blood. Our eternal hope.

That’s where I place my trust. My belief. (If you don’t yet have a relationship with Jesus, find out more here.)

While Christmas is about all things good— the true message of this holiday season is hope.

And I pray this Christmas you grab hope by the coat-tail and never, ever let go.

I’m doing it. You must, too.

Look what arrived over the weekend! My short story, Words from the Heart, was chosen as a Top 50 selection for Family Fiction’s 2014 anthology, The Story.

That word. Hope.

 

 

I’m not a preacher. But I am a Jesus-lover.

And a wife and a mom. And an encourager.

And here’s what I’d like to wrap up with—

If you’re a writer still trying to break in… Don’t. Give. Up. Your time (and mine) may be just around the corner. Opportunity isn’t about perfection. It’s about direction. And God can alter a circumstance in a heartbeat! (Be encouraged!)

If you’ve suffered loss… Don’t fake happy. God already knows how you feel. Allow yourself to grieve. Be in tune to those cues that dredge up and magnify the what ifs and if onlys. Permit yourself to smile on the good days, but don’t beat yourself up over the bad ones. (Here are 20 Reasons to Throw Open Your Windows. See why!)

If you simply need a cheerleader… There’s nothing I like more! Drop me a line. Let me know how I can pray for you. I promise I will never share your information or prayer request unless you ask me specifically to do so.

Rebuff naysayers. Refuse party-crashers.

And heavenly days—don’t feel guilty about it!

Finally…

Thank you for joining me here day in, day out. I appreciate you.

The writing journey is unique. It’s filled with exhilarating highs, and down-in-the-valley lows.

At my best, I can conquer the world.

At my worst, I want to surrender.

And yet…

I cling to that thing I can’t see, taste, or touch.

The unreasonable. The unthinkable. The thing that doesn’t make sense.

Faith. (Hebrews 11:1)

Writing’s hard. Blogging’s hard. Pursuing the dream is hard.

Still…

I’m pressing forward.

You should, too.

Because you may not be a writer, but you have a story to share.

And you’re story matters.

Just like you.

***

PLEASE PASS IT ON

Need uplifted? Here’s some encouragement to kick-start the holiday!

(Click to Tweet)

Sometimes, the season’s hard. Why you should move forward.

(Click to Tweet)

Some Housekeeping Details…

I’m taking a blogging break during the next two weeks.

I’ll spend time with family and celebrate our Savior’s birth.

I’ll recharge, refresh, read, and write.

I hope you’ll join me again on Monday, January 5th, 2015!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY, BLESSED NEW YEAR!

***

What was your year in review like?

What are you looking forward to?

With all my love,