1 Peter 2:9 NIV — But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Christmas Day is only 15 days away. We are in the throes of searching high and low for the perfect gift for each person on our list. As busy as we are with our preparations, let’s take time to pause this week and prepare our hearts for Christmas. I will go as far as to say, let’s give Christmas away.

Last Christmas season, in the middle of the busy preparations, I heard the song Give This Christmas Away by Matthew West and Amy Grant. I am sure I had heard this song over the years, but when I heard it that day it stopped me in my tracks. Perhaps it was just the jolt I needed to remind me what Christmas is truly about. So this week, let’s focus on ways we can give Christmas away to those who need it most. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the greatest gift of all, Your Son, Jesus Christ. Open my eyes to opportunities to share Christmas with others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Spend some time reading and meditating on this week’s featured scriptures.

1 Peter 2:9 NIV — But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Matthew 25:35 NIV — For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.

Luke 2:10-11 NIV — But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Matthew 28:16-20 — Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Take some time to prepare your hearts for the week ahead by listening to Give This Christmas Away by Matthew West. Allow God to guide your thoughts as you listen to the words. May the Holy Spirit prompt each of us to respond as God would have us.

Today I am reflecting on this year’s Thanksgiving and savoring the new memories created. This Thanksgiving looked much different. Granddaddy was absent from our table but my parents were here with us. Instead of coming on Thanksgiving day, Clark’s brothers and families will come today to share a meal and create memories together. Best of all, instead of sitting at the table with everyone else, Clark and I sat at our island with our granddaughter Ellie Grace. 

The biggest difference this Thanksgiving was that I was the sole cook for the day and oh how I enjoyed it. I love that my kitchen, dining area, and den are all one big room. I was able to tackle one task at a time and still enjoy time with my family watching the Macy’s parade, the dog show, and Hallmark movies. After supper, while Clark and I cleaned up the kitchen, we all watched a football game. After my son and family went home, we finished the night watching another Christmas Hallmark movie.

As I prepared each dish, I savored the memories associated with that food and the family members who have cooked each dish over the years. This was the first year I cooked a whole turkey so a few weeks before Thanksgiving I scoured the internet to find just the right recipe. I remember all those who pulled the bird out of the oven and wondered if it was done. I had a similar experience. I was hoping for it to be cooked enough to eat, but not as well done as Cousin Eddie’s wife Catherine’s turkey on the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. If you have never seen the movie, click here for a visual. I made crockpot macaroni which has become my speciality at family events, but on my mom’s side of the family oven baked macaroni is a sacred dish. I dug in my recipe box to find my grandmother’s recipe for cornbread dressing and savored the opportunity to ask my mama for advice along the way. I made sweet potato souffle from a friend’s recipe and my mama put the mini marshmallows on top for me. Of course I forgot the casserole was browning in the oven and remembered just in time so as to not catch the marshmallows on fire as mama did before. I cooked the obligatory “healthy” vegetable of green beans, and last but not least was the canned cranberry sauce, which turned out to be Ellie’s favorite food of the night.

While this Thanksgiving looked different, I am savoring the opportunity to be with family and the memories of past Thanksgivings. How did your Thanksgiving look this year? Was it different from past Thanksgivings? What are you savoring today? 

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On this Flashback Friday, take time to read this post titled Thanksgiving Memories from 2018.

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1 Timothy 5:8 — Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Ephesians 6:1-3 — Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise — “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Today is Thanksgiving. Let’s spend time pondering our blessings and expressing our thanksgiving.

As many of you know, Clark and I have had the opportunity to have his parents move in with us. Clark was able to help his mom care for his dad for the last year and a half of his life. Currently, my parents are staying with us while they both recover from health issues. While it took some time for all of us to fall into a routine, I am so thankful for the opportunity. 

My parents set the bar high when they modeled care giving for me when I was younger. My last half of college and when I first graduated, my grandmother and later my uncle came to live with us. Clark’s mom also was a caregiver for her mom in the last years of her life. We were able to witness the blessing of caregiving first hand and for that I am so thankful.

What is your experience with caregiving? Have you been a caregiver or has someone cared for you? Take time today to express thanksgiving for the blessing of caregiving. Enjoy delicious food, memory making fellowship, and watch the Macey’s parade and football!

Let’s pray. Thank You Lord for caregivers and for the opportunity to be a caregiver. May we never take for granted the loved ones around our table. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Ephesians 3:14-21 NIV —  For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

This is Thanksgiving week. Let’s spend time pondering our blessings and expressing our thanksgiving. A couple weeks ago we explored the thought that the early Christians were trailblazers for our faith. Today’s scripture is believed to be penned by the apostle Paul while it was in prison. Today’s scripture is a prayer for the Ephesians. I believe this is also a prayer for you and I. 

Julie and I began the Water Walkers blog 10 years ago. Isn’t that hard to believe? Ray joined us four years ago and what a blessing this ministry together has been for me. The three of us encourage, challenge, and stretch one another’s beliefs and understandings. Our ministry together gives each of us purpose and stamina to continue to be water walkers. Just when one of us becomes discouraged, the others remind us that God “is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine” and may we always give Him glory for all He does in and through us.

Who do you share a ministry with and how has that ministry been a blessing to you? Be sure to express your gratitude this Thanksgiving week.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for putting others in our path to join together to do your ministry. May we always remember You can do more than we could ever ask or imagine and may we always give You glory for all that You do. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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