Family Time Together

It's Thankful Thursday (it is Thursday, right? The days have been running together lately!)  It's that crazy busy time of the year for many.  It usually is for me, too.  In fact, I can really "lose it" at this time of year.  I'm grateful this year has been a little different.  Several things have caused this year to be more laid back and peaceful and we have already had wonderful family time together. Yay, yay, yay! Thank you, Lord.

• We had my father-in-law here for a week. That always relaxes everyone.
• I ordered almost all my gifts online and stayed out of stores!! Yay! What a difference this made!
• I set up a jigsaw puzzle in the family room early this year! I usually wait until my husband's Christmas vacation to set it up, because when there's a puzzle up, that's all my husband can think of:)  (This is a surefire way to draw my husband and son together, as neither can stay away from a puzzle! This week has been filled with cozy nights together wrapping presents, addressing cards, and watching old Dick Van Dyke shows on Netflix--my son laughs so hard at these--and listening to Christmas music.)
• Lots of SNOW! This makes such a beautiful reminder of God's words:  "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:  though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18  The snow and blizzard also postponed, for the first time in seven years, our annual Christmas skating party and potluck.  The house was already cleaned and orderly when we canceled, so I have been able to enjoy the "fruits of my labors" all week. (And we'll have the party later, which is good, because it is a wonderful time of skating, eating, and singing Christmas hymns, and sharing testimonies of all God's done in our lives since we were together last. A very precious time.)

 Though emotions may go up and down with the moment, due to stress, long lists of things to do, and way too many sweets and other foods that "whack us out," the peace and joy of Jesus Christ and His Spirit remains and will always.  He is our Rock, our Shelter in the Storm, our Fortress, our Defender, our Shepherd.  I am very grateful--thankful--that God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world for lost sinners, such as I, to die on the cross to save me from sin and the penalty of death and hell.


I worship Thee, Lord Jesus, for the great sacrifice You made on my behalf, to leave Your Throne above and perfect communion with Your Father, to come to earth and to die on the cross for my sins. I praise You, Father, for raising Him from the dead and accepting His sacrifice. Thank You.
(Visit Iris at Grace Alone, to participate and to read other thankful thoughts--Thank you, Iris!)