Christmas Thoughts

Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio is the site of this Christmas display with over 3.5 million lights. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today I consider the meaning of Christmas as it applies to life today. Don’t worry I won’t get too deep.

We have been given a gift that we don’t have to accept, but if we do, there’s nothing we can do to return it.

Think about that. Just for believing in what that day means and who that baby was/is we are given the given the gift of everlasting life. John 3:16

What do we do with that now?

Now we operate as if we have to compete against one another to get ahead. We tear one another down, we lose time with our family and friends for the sake of trying to get “ahead”. We lose sleep and treat our bodies like machines and wear our insomnia as a badge of honor just to live the “good life”. Have we ever thought about the fact that the largest increase/breakthrough/ come-up we’ve ever received we didn’t have to do a thing to get it but believe?

Why don’t we try that on everything. Certainly if the price has been paid on the most that we can ever walk out of this life with, there’s nothing that can keep us from the rest of the gifts that God has in store for us. Not a nap, or skipping overtime to hang out with family, or spending a few extra minutes on the phone with someone who we love that needs an ear. Going into 2014, I challenge all of my readers to activate their gift receiving power and BELIEVE.

Believe that if God has put it on your heart to do great things, that He will guide you to what He has in store. Your purpose is not resting on how long you can stay awake, or how much extra money you throw in the collection plate, but it is ALL tied to whether or not your can endure to the end. Matthew 24:13 & Ecclesiastes 9:11

It’s really hard to endure, if you don’t believe.

I try to shy away from being too Preachy, especially considering how much of a potty mouthed Sailor I’ve been over the years, but even beyond my gratuitous use of unpleasant words I believe. I usually save a post like this for my close friends and family in either an email or a post on Facebook, but I appreciate the journey that you all have taken with me and I want you to get to know all sides of M.E. 🙂

I love you all, Merry Christmas. Eat some Macaroni & Cheese for me and hug your family!

Related articles

• The Greatest Gift (womenatthewellfbco.com)
• Christmas In Our Hearts (rechellemaet.wordpress.com)
• Meditations on Christmas (alivesbygrace.wordpress.com)
• The Perfect Gift (butterflylifeblog.wordpress.com)

The "Right" Thing came up again….

http://www.moveoneinc.com/blog/relocations/getting-a-divorce-abroad/

So I was talking to my older cousin about the traditional nature of our family, and how that method hasn’t proven successful in any of the living generations. Both of our parents (they’re brother and sister) have been divorced at least once, and are either currently, or very recently in jacked up relationships. Also what responsibilities have been passed down to us in that department.

My cousin argues that both she and I will be shamed by our respective parents if we fail to tie the knot with the people that we’ve chosen to be with. This brought on the conversation regarding who’s business is it?

Some of you that have been reading this blog over the years know that I was once married. (If you didn’t know, now you do). There’s nothing more beautiful than a solid marriage. Conversely, there’s also nothing more draining than divorce. If you are getting married without any regard for financial status, earning potential, credit and general financial responsibility, you are asking for a divorce. Billionaires (as in each partner independently) are the only people that can afford to marry without thinking about money. It will amplify every disagreement, bar you from making life goals and stir up resentment if you do not go into a situation with a clear, mutually agreed upon game plan or at least have the same things.

I used to hear church folks throw around unequally yoked, and most of the times they pulled that out the pocket when you wanted to marry outside of your belief system. As I’ve grown older and realized that it’s $25 in and $1500+ out, unequally yoked encompasses much more than who you pray to. What you strive for, how you make decisions and where you’re starting educationally and financially makes for a more useful conversation than religion alone.

The end of the conversation rested with me telling her that the best solution, at least right now, is to stay in love, stay together, but don’t sign anything!

This will be my last post on the subject, I’m tired of talking about it, so I can imagine that you’re sick of reading it, but let me know if I’m off. Feel free to comment, my cousin reads the blog. I need an Amen corner, or someone to tell me I’m wrong. Have at it so we can put this to bed once and for all.