Neither one of us has posted in months and then we both decide to write something on the same day. Silly us! Be sure to check out her post after mine if you haven't already.
It's been a while since I've written because my world has just. not. stopped. Between student teaching, going to class, home work, and work work, I am a worn out mess! I am basically working full time...and then some...without the full time pay.
It's all good though because the end is in sight. This past Saturday I applied for graduation and found out that I will be walking the stage on May 11th at 3pm. EEK! I can hardly wait.
My mom also informed me that that is mother's day so uh, what better present than to see your daughter graduate from college??!?!? I can't think of anything.
161 days and counting.
BUT, back to the present...
If you haven't heard, I am currently working on the weekends at the self proclaimed #1 Christmas store in Texas. Just drive around the metroplex and you'll see the signs on all the highways that tell you so. As you can imagine, I am reminded weekly at how fast the holidays are approaching. (We're at the 13th of November here people! Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away.)
People are spending thousands of dollars on trees and decorations to get their houses ready for Christmas, but I can't help but wonder if any of it is really necessary. Now, don't get me wrong, I love decorating for Christmas as much as the next mom who just discovered pinterest for the first time. Its one of my favorite family traditions there is, but I think its sad how many people could be missing the true focus of it all.
I'm not going to go on a huge rant about this, but I do want to say something. This year, as we start thinking about decking the halls, lets get our hearts right and minds tuned into what we're celebrating in the first place, JESUS!
Let your decorations be a conversation starter about him rather than a competition to see who's house looks the cutest or most expensive. Decorate for YOU as a reminder for the season and what its all about rather than crumbling under the pressure to make it picture perfect.
As for me, I'll admit that I've been doing my thing more than I've been doing God's thing lately, using the excuse that I'm just too busy and I'll make time for him later (anybody feel me on that?), but the fast approaching holidays are reminding me to run back to him.
This time of the year is like the easiest time ever to do that so I encourage you to run with me! Its so easy because the topics to study are so obvious.
If you're like me, you might get a little overwhelmed with where to start reading in the Bible or feeling like you need some sort of plan that is actually going to be relevant. Like I said before, we are 2 weeks away from Thanksgiving, and lucky us...the Bible talks about giving thanks A LOT! And the Advent season comes right after that. Perfect.
Last year I went through an Advent reading plan by the She Reads Truth blog on the Bible app and I liked it a lot but totally forgot about it until someone mentioned the blog in my small group the other night. I looked it up today and they are starting a Thanksgiving plan on Monday. It looks like its going to be really good and I'm especially excited about the fact that they are going to be connecting each day to a hymn. The thing I liked about the plan I did from them before was that they are not too lengthy and I think they try to make that a theme throughout their plans. They are easy reads with GREAT nuggets of TRUTH.
Another site I came across today while doing research is Good Morning Girls. Their plans are also available on the Bible app and they started a Thanksgiving plan this past Monday. The thing I like about them is that they have a passage to read for everyday and then a couple verses to really hone in on from that passage. They also have a weekly memory verse, weekly vlog, and devotional blogs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
I think I am going to go through both plans. The she reads truth one in the mornings, since its shorter, and I am LAZY in the morning, and the other to really dig in at night. They are both just too good not to pass up.
Alright?! Are y'all with me yet? Let's get a jump on this thing and prepare our hearts way before all the craziness begins. I think it will lead to a more joyful and definitely more meaningful time for everyone this year.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Colossians 3:16 ESV
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