When Only a 'Pat' Will Do

In this Encouragement UPGRADE, Dawn shares what she's learned about a simple method of "communication" that helps us encourage others—beyond words, or even when words won't come.

Since my diagnosis, I've found that people don't always know what to say to me. Some find it awkward to converse about my health changes. Others even avoid me, not knowing what to say.

But my husband has taught me an important lesson. Over and over in my health "adventure," he knows he can't "fix" my problems, and he's a man of few words—unless he's teaching or preaching! But Bob reaches out and pats me on the arm if we're standing or on my knee if we're sitting.

It's as if only a "pat" will do at the time. But it is enough. And here's why.

1. A pat says, "I'm here."

There's simply nothing like "presence" to comfort and encourage.

I've heard of spouses who leave their mate in times of distress or tragedy, and that is horribly sad. But I've found great solace in knowing that Bob has been present with me throughout this myeloma journey and every "side trip" (like bronchitis this week).

Presence matters.

God's presence matters most of all. Sometimes, when life seems puzzling, I feel like Father God reaches down to "pat" me with His presence and give me peace. He might bring a scripture verse to mind, or give me some marching orders for my day. Most of all, it's comforting to acknowledge that He will never leave me (Hebrews 13:5b; Psalm 94:14).

God is with us in all our struggles and needs, and even if He feels far, far away.

2. A pat says, "I'm here and I care."

There's a certain tenderness that comes with a gentle pat of encouragement.

The one reaching out to us loves us, and out of that love flows compassion.

When Bob and I attended my Grandpa Webb's funeral—enroute from Michigan to our new home—my grandmother was surprised to see me. For a while, I watched as people began to offer condolences. (Some of the things I heard were not comforting at all!)

Weary, Grandma sat down. I smiled at her and sat down beside her.

I didn't say a word for the rest of the time as people came by—some expressing love, some offering not-too-helpful advice, some not knowing what to say. I simply held her hand and patted it from time to time until Bob said we had to get on our way.

Later, Grandma wrote to tell me that she was the most comforted by my almost-wordless presence and the tenderness of my touch, my "little pats."

It's so comforting to me to know that Father God is always watching over us, and He sees us in our pain and understands (Psalm 31:7; 34:18; 56:8). God reaches out in love to tell us He cares. As Casting Crowns sings, "Your pain may run deep. His love runs deeper still."

We can take all our burdensome anxieties to God, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

Every need, every burden, every fear, every anxiety—take them all to God.

I like what Dr. Michelle Bengtson wrote, in The Hem of His Garment: "He's a God who stops and bends his ear to listen to our heartfelt cries." How wonderful and touching that our God listens and cares.

3. A pat says, "I'm here to tell you I appreciate you."

Like a pat on the back that says "good job," sometimes a pat can mean, "I see how you are dealing with this, and I appreciate you." Or even, "I admire you."

I've received many pats like this over the past five year as I've shared the highs and lows of my health journey

• It's encouraging to know that someone sees that you're trying to live biblically even in tough times.
• It's motivating to know that others are watching, and it matters that we persevere in courage through God's strength.

God's pats of appreciation might come to us in many ways, directly or through others—like words of gratitude from people who say you helped them through your ministry, or through words of encouragement you shared with them.

And here's another thing: the believer looks forward to a wonderful "pat" when God rewards for faith and obedience. It only begins with God's, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

4. A pat says, "I'm here to help you, if I can."

Sometimes a person who is struggling can't tell you in the moment what they need when you ask, "How can I help?"

People might go ahead and take care of some your needs (anticipating them), but their little pats can tell you they are people you might be able to count on in a pinch.

A pat can say, "I'm here to help you, if I can, however I can, whenever I can, and if you will let me."

Some words can be fruitless, but a pat—with or without words—can make you feel that a person genuinely wants to help. (I have to admit that some people may give you a little pat as a way of escaping involvement; but that's not true with faithful friends.)

And speaking of faithful friends, Father God is our Helper, our Jehovah Ezer.

Psalm 28:7 says that when we place our hopes in God, trusting Him, we find help. Our faithful Father does not abandon us, but He helps us through the difficulties of our journey (Psalm 121). When we confidently come to His throne of grace, we find the help we need and do not need to be afraid (Hebrews 4:16; 13:6).

Sometimes only a "pat" will do, but it is quite often more than enough.

When has a pat from someone encouraged you? How might you share a little pat with someone today? 

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for women's teacher and revivalist, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth at Revive Our Hearts, and is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

A Year of Resilience — and a Fresh FOCUS in 2024

Pam Farrel is a prolific writer and gifted speaker who offers solid scriptural resources with practical solutions from the Bible. In this New Year's UPGRADE, she writes about her struggle in 2023, but how focus on the word "resilience" encouraged and strengthened her; and she offers a resource for discovering your own motivating, life-changing word for 2024.

I have been selecting a Word of the Year and Verse of the Year since I was 19 years old—before it was really a 'thing,'" Pam says. "So, for more than four decades, I have seen the power of having a Word of the Year.

"Word of the Year can also be labeled Word of Intent, My One Word, One Little Word, and I love the acrostic of a Word of F.O.C.U.S.

• F - Follow
• O - One
• C - Course
• U - Until
• S - Successful

When I (Dawn) read that acrostic—Follow One Course Until Successful—I thought, "What a great concept. Most of us spread ourselves thin with too many focuses." But focusing on one area to grow in spiritual maturity, with God's wisdom and a desire for excellence, sounds like a winning formula for success!

Pam continues . . .

This focus on ONE THING is reflected in the Bible: I have asked the LORD for one thing; one thing only do I want: to live in the LORD’s house all my life, to marvel there at his goodness, and to ask for his guidance (Psalm 27:4 GNB emphasis added).

How to Pick Your Word of the Year

We created a “Looking for Your Word” worksheet,* that gives six methods, six key questions to ask yourself, and six boxes to capture your top six words to help you; and then narrow down to your ONE WORD.

This is a simple list of the six places to LOOK for YOUR Word of the Year:

1. Look Back – What WORD summarizes what I learned last year?
2. Look Inside – What WORD captures who you want to become next year?
3. Look Ahead – What WORD describes the life I desire to live?
4. Look to God and His Word – What WORD is the essence of my AHA spiritual moment last year?
5. Look Around - What WORD did God roll across my path organically recently?
6. Look to Helps and Tools – Is there a repeating WORD or theme in the tests and tools I have used? (Dayspring and Word of Intent usually offer an online quiz.)

The next step after choosing a Word of the Year is to begin to implement ways of weaving it into your daily life.

Bill and I created Your Best Year Worksheets (for women/ for couples).

• I place key info inside the front of my bullet journal so I can daily review and maintain focus.
• I also layer in focus by selecting a mug, art, a scent, a song, a lotion, and other reminders I can see or use daily.
• I add quotes and verses into my bullet journal as I find them too.
• I usually purchase several books on the topic to read throughout the year as well.

"In the tapestry of life," Charles R. Swindoll said, "God's hand is the thread of resilience, weaving through our challenges to create a masterpiece of faith and endurance."

Last year, when time to select my Word of the Year rolled around, I was barely out of my ICU coma episode, so I knew the year ahead would be an uphill climb to regain my health, wellness, fitness, strength, and stamina.

The politicians were blasting their “build back better” motto, so I just borrowed it for my own personal journey of restoration, rejuvenation, and rebuilding! I usually lay out my goals for the coming year, then I ask myself, “What inner quality or personal trait do I need to enrich or engage to achieve these goals?”

I used the process above and listed many synonyms for strength, stamina, rebuild, persevere, etc. and the word RESILIENCE rose to the top.

I also looked to see if I could find any Bible verses with the exact word in it, or verses that reflected a heart or spirit of resilience:

I found these:

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak (Isaiah 40:29).

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand  (Isaiah 41:10).

I tried to live out resilience for 365 days.

What does resilience look like?

Resilience is the capacity to endure and bounce back from adversity—the remarkable ability to adapt in the face of challenges, setbacks, or difficult circumstances.

Resilience involves cultivating mental fortitude, emotional strength, and the willingness to persist even when confronted with numerous and repeated obstacles.

Resilience is not merely weathering storms; it encompasses the capacity to learn and grow from experiences.

Resilience is a dynamic quality to navigate life's unwelcome, uninvited, and unpredictable with courage and grace through God empowering an inner strength and tenacity well beyond our own.

My prayer all year was one asking God to help me turn adversity into an opportunity!

So how did the FOCUS on resilience serve me?

1. I gathered medical experts who laid out a new medicinal plan to address the core issue that caused my DKA initially, one that would prevent it in the future.

2. I phoned a few friends who had also experienced a coma and asked how they regained strength, especially in the early days of their recovery.

3. I engaged other health and wellness friends and mentors who helped me rebuild my stamina week by week, layering a new activity into my daily life: walk a few more steps, do a few more squats and wall push-ups, or even dance steps!

• I started with stretching to worship music and scripture;
• then I joined a Pilates studio;
• added in daily swimming and water aerobics,
• then some daily weight workouts and gentle HIIT (high-intensity interval training),
• and wrapped up the year by signing up for dance classes at the senior center, just a short walk away in my neighborhood.

By proactively and intentionally working on my strength, I was able to keep all my speaking events beginning in January and on through the year. Bill and I also enjoyed renewing activities we love, like our daily prayer walks and dancing at weddings!

God was faithful to strengthen my spirit and my mind as well.

Here is a social media post about all that God was able to accomplish through HIS power in me in the 2023 resilience journey:

"Jumping for #joy! One year ago today, I woke from a coma. God gave me the clear word that my work was not yet complete here on earth. These are the books released in the last year! [Pictured in the post.] And I am currently writing a devotional with my beloved Bill.

"Many thanks to coauthors, Jean Esther Jones & Karla Smallwood-Dornacher (Discovering Wisdom in Proverbs), Karen Whiting (Growing a Joyful Heart devotional), and a thank you to Michelle Rayburn for the honor of writing a chapter and foreword for her #boymombook, and a poem in Renewed Christmas Blessing  (Plus, the WISDOM creative quiet time journal is from our imprint LOVE-WISE.)"

Now I am praying for my new Word of the Year for 2024—praying new goals for my mind, body, soul, and spirit.

I am looking for more victories ahead through Heaven's focus for me and God's power at work in me.

Do you have your word for the new year? If not, consider using some of the tools suggested to discover your Word of the Year, and then live it out in 2024.

Pam Farrel is the author of 60 books including several books to help people set and achieve goals: 7 Simple Skills for Every Woman and The Marriage Meet Up devotional planner for couples who want more purpose, passion and productivity. She is also co-author for the Discovering the Bible Series including newest: Discovering Wisdom in Proverbs: A Creative Bible Study Experience. Discover more about Pam, her resources, and Living Love-Wise, visit www.Love-Wise.com. 

* To help with your WORD OF THE YEAR, Download How to Discern My Word of the Year worksheet.

Main Graphic adapted: Two images: (1) Background Image8926; and (2) Magnifying Glass by Clker Free Vector Images — both courtesy of Pixabay.

Two memes created at love-wise.com.

Christmas — A Time to Receive and Release

Christmas is almost here! Can you "feel it in the air"? The holiday season is special for so many reasons, most of which involve the coming of the Savior and time together with family and friends. In this Christmas UPGRADE, I want to help us focus on two things: Christmas is a time to receive and a time to release.

Christmas Is a Time to RECEIVE.

All throughout the Christmas season we receive gifts—not just on Christmas day.

1. We receive the gifts of Christmas cards.

Yes, they are gifts, reminding us of those we love.

The first Christmas card, according to Smithsonian Magazine, was sent out by a British educator, Sir Henry Cole, who had 1,000 copies of a card printed. The card had an artist's design of a holiday table with family members and smaller images of people helping the poor. It said simply: A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year To You." Unfortunately, the card included young children enjoying what looked to be glasses of wine, and some thought Cole was encouraging underage drinking!

In a time when people were used to writing very long letters at Christmas—which were hard for busy people to find time to read—the innovative "Christmas Card" was considered a time-saver choice.

Cards evolve in the late 1800s, spurred on, in part, by card publishers' contests for new designs. Then Christmas cards became valued collector items. The modern Christmas card industry began in 1915 when three brothers published their card at The Hall Brothers Company, which would change to Hallmark ten years later. (You can read more about the history of Christmas cards here.)

2. We receive gifts from our neighbors.

There are many ways we might interact with neighbors at Christmas. Our neighbors tell us they love the gift of our Christmas display—a large, lighted nativity scene—as they drive up the hill toward our house. I know what they mean. After a tough day, seeing that cheerful display as I come home feels like a gift.

It's been our habit to give Christmas treats to our neighbors every year. It's so fun to see the happy expressions as they receive our gift. But, to our delight, we have received goodies from them as well.

Over the years, the neighborhood Goodies Exchange has cultivated friendships far sweeter than the simple treats we share.

3. We receive the gift of kindness.

(Setting aside the nasty shoving and rudeness of some Christmas shopping experiences), the Christmas season—which begins informally right after Thanksgiving—is typically a time for compassion and kindness.

Once we have received the kindness of God through Jesus (Ephesians 2:7), the grateful overflow of that miraculous gift is giving to others. We give generously and cheerfully because we have received so much from God, and Paul said our kind generosity will again overflow—in "many thanksgivings to God" (2 Corinthians 9:11-12).

There are many creative ways to use our spiritual gifts to offer kindness at Christmas. Our Christmas kindness might manifest itself in serving or helping others, like volunteering at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.  Or taking time to visit an elderly shut-in, and take them a meal. Or writing to encourage a prisoner who recently received Christ.

It might also show up as we take out our checkbook. Ministries often experience a significant rise in funds from financial gifts during the holidays—and it's not only because of tax-deductions. At Christmas, we remember and support the ministries that we feel are doing God's work in God's ways. And we all have our favorites.

4. We receive the gift of music.

We love the Christmas carolers who stroll through our neighborhood, singing "Angels We Have Heart of High" and "Noel." We can attend church Christmas concerts. And the music channel on our television plays Christmas music 24/7. As I'm wearily typing this late at night, I hear "Jingle Bells" in the background and the peppy tune is a gift that energizes me.

But there's nothing like Christmas hymns. My favorite ends with "O Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord." Let's be sure in this Christmas season we are offering worship that our Father can receive with joy.

5. We receive the gifts under the tree.

This is, of course, is a given in most homes—even if the number of packages has decreased in a tight economy. You no doubt have memories of your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day time of "unwrapping" gifts (after mom spent hours wrapping them).

The seasons of life may change how our material gift-giving looks, but it's always a joy to think about the recipients and try to find an appropriate gift for each one. Planning time together, creating new memories, is part of this Christmas gift.

6. We receive and remember the most precious gift of Christmas.

We must never forget that Christmas is a celebration of the coming of the Savior—sent as a gift to us (1 John 4:14; John 3:16). He was not simply a babe in a manger. He was God the Son, come to us for a specific purpose and it was Good News! Jesus would die for our sins—taking upon Himself the punishment we deserve—to redeem us from sin, guilt, and death.

The Bible says of Jesus,

He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness (1 Peter 2:24).

That is the most important gift we can receive—a gift that determines our eternal destiny.

Have you heard and received the Good News of God's gift to us? If not, you can read more scriptures about that here.

Christmas Is a Time to RELEASE.

We certainly have many things to receive at Christmas—and you may be able to think of other gifts I've left out. But I also think there are some things we should release.

1. Release the stress that has built up.

I don't know about you, but from mid-Thanksgiving on, my stress level amps up considerably. Scary news on the TV, the crowd-crazed shopping, holiday preparations and decorating, baking . . . you get the idea.

I have to spend extra time with Father God to help me release that stress. The verse I embrace at this time of year is part of Psalm 46:10 that says "Be still and know that I am God.

The Message version sounds like exactly what I (and maybe you?) need:

Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.

Take some deep breaths, do some simple body stretches—especially your neck and shoulders where stress can take up residence—and release your stress to the Lord, grateful that He can carry every  burden and give peace and stability in the midst of every struggle.

2. Release any ideas of a "perfect" Christmas.

We all desire a Norman Rockwell Christmas, embodied in the happy smiles of his "Merry Christmas, Grandma . . . We Came in Our New Plymouth" painting (1951).

You know what I'm saying, right? Those homey paintings of people celebrating a perfect Christmas without a care in the world are wonderful, but do they match up with our reality?

The only perfection we'll ever know is the Lord (and maybe a family hug). So give up the "perfect Christmas" drama.

While it's true that at Christmas we have many opportunities to create beautiful things and memories, life also goes on—with babies that spit-up on your holiday sweater right before a party, car parts that suddenly break down, a fall that puts you in a healing "boot," a batch of expensive-ingredient cookies that burn in the oven. . . just crazy stuff. Bad stuff.

Not-at-all-perfect stuff.

And that's OK. Life itself is a beautiful thing. Life is to be savored and appreciated every day.

If you don't believe that, ask someone with a newly-diagnosed terminal disease. They would probably tell you something like: "I'm going to cherish every day I have left!" or "Every day above ground is beautiful and blessed."

Take a moment to look around you at your Christmas decorations. Look at photos of loved ones. Think about a Christmas activity you'll be part of this year—even if it's online. Express your profound gratitude to God for all your blessings.

In that moment, Christmas might even FEEL perfect.

Just remember that it's not;

and if you try to create perfection, you might come close,

but as the Amish say, "Only God makes perfect things."

3. Release the memories that haunt you.

We all have memories. Most are good. But the bad ones, the uncomfortable ones—we need to let those go. Christmas is as good a time as any to release memories that haunt and hinder us, and we can do it as we focus on the Savior and what He did for us.

Every shred of guilt and shame needs to be released; and the Bible teaches that we can let them go when we have God's forgiveness in Christ. His sacrifice on the cross completely covers every sin (Matthew 26:28; Ephesians 1:7) and removes our guilt and shame (Romans 8:1).

Logically, we don't need to "forgive ourselves" either, because He has already forgiven us (Ephesians 1:6-8; Psalm 103:12). We simply need to believe and rest in that truth.

Then, though we are positionally forgiven, we need to agree with God about our daily sins (1 John 1:9) and live in that freedom of restored fellowship with Him.

• If sins have piled up, unconfessed to God, it's hard to walk in complete peace.
• Unconfessed sin creates NEW BAD MEMORIES!"
• So keep short "sin accounts" with God, confessing sins as the Holy Spirit brings them to mind.

Maybe we need to release some anger or bitterness by forgiving others (Colossians 3:13). Lounging in the memories of past sins or offenses—by you or against you—will never do you any favors.

A word about our enemy. Satan loves to torture our thoughts about past sins (even though the Christian has been freed from his grasp). My counsel is:

When Satan comes knocking to remind you of sins and pile on guilt, ask Father God to remind him where he's going!

Then rest in the truth that God sees and knows, He forgives with great mercy, and He will make all things right when we see Jesus and live forever with Him.

Another way to release past memories that haunt us is to gratefully use them as teachable moments. Ask God what you can learn from them. Extract the teaching and leave the rest behind.

4. Release the dreams of the past.

This might seem like a strange one. Did you have some big dreams that never panned out? Maybe circumstances kept you from fulfilling your dreams. Or maybe God had bigger things in store for you, but you couldn't see that at the time, so you were disappointed and discouraged.

Maybe it's time to release some old dreams and allow God to create new ones for you.

Some dreams are still worth pursuing, even if they require great persistence. Other dreams may have crumbled or not come to fruition for any number of reasons.

I had many dreams before my diagnosis with multiple myeloma, and I thought I had plenty of time to achieve them. The weakness, infections, and side effects from drugs changed all that.

But I can dream new dreams tailored to my current circumstances—receiving those dreams from God because He knows what I can handle and that I can achieve them with His help.

It's important for believers to have God at the center of our imaginings for new projects and ministry because our lives are His and He desires to work in and through us. As it says in Ephesians 3:20 (NLT):

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

The purpose of Christians is to glorify Father God and enjoy Him now and forever. We set goals that help us do that with wisdom and humility, knowing that "the plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance" (Proverbs 21:5 MSG).

So this Christmas, release old, stale dreams and allow God to give you vibrant new dreams for your growth, other's good, and His glory.

Christmas truly is a good time to RECEIVE the blessings that come our way, but also to RELEASE those things that hinder and stunt our growth or our ability to glorify God in the present.

Christmas Blessings, Friends!

Is there something you need to receive with gratitude? Is there something you need to release—again, with gratitude?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic of Christmas gift, courtesy of StockSnap at Pixabay.

Graphic of the first Christmas Card from Smithsonian Magazine, article, "The History of the Christmas Card," Dec. 9, 2015.

Graphic of Norman Rockwell's "Merry Christmas, Grandma," in an article at Laura Jaen Art, "Top 15 Christmas Artworks from Throughout History,"

Look for the Sign

Kolleen Lucariello has the unique gift of turning everyday circumstances into fun, intriguing, and life-altering lessons. In this Christmas UPLIFT post, she points us to three positive ways to discover the presence of Jesus this season.

I (Dawn) found this post point on for motivating the true Christmas spirit. But first, a funny story.

Here's Kollen . . .

“You’re in the wrong lane!” I shrieked as we approached our exit at a rather rapid rate, while boxed in by an enormous amount of traffic.

My driver, aka my husband, quickly darted over just in time to avoid a navigational miss.

“Why isn’t she talking to me?” He grumbled in frustration.

Which “she” was he referring to? I wondered.

“Wait. Who isn’t talking to you?” I asked.

My eyes had been in a book. I had no explanation for why his other copilot, Siri, had gone silent. I did question why he hadn’t seen the sign, however.

“I wasn’t looking for a sign.” He said, “I was waiting for her to talk.”

After years of significant Interstate travel, I knew exactly what happened—he’d gone into the zone. He was lost in thought with his eyes focused on the destination. Everything else became secondary.

“Well,” I said, half-teasing—half-terrorized, “Perhaps you could do both!”

The scene had nearly put me into heart-failure. Common, I think, when frightened by an unforeseen event.

No Siri on That Christmas

Incidents like this can help me empathize with the shepherds who were minding their business—as they did every other night—when they experienced their own startling and completely unexpected event. Imagine the look on their faces when an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The New English Translation says the situation “left them absolutely terrified” (Luke 2:9).

Understandable.

Terrified in the moment, but after listening to the proclamation of the Lord, it would seem no time was wasted in their departure to Bethlehem. That was enough for them to go “look for the sign” that would “lead them to find” (Luke 2:11).

Did they follow the star as the Magi had?

Can you imagine trying to follow a star? Without Siri to clarify every turn I wonder how long it took them.

Regardless of time, I know they did not give up until they found the one they’d been seeking. The reward for their obedience to go and look for the sign led them right to the presence of God.

Oh, that I might have the same tenacity to look for the sign that will always lead me into the presence of Jesus, rather than allow my troubles to become my focus. Especially during the season of Christmas when the pain of loss or the end of tradition seems to amplify its raging voice.

Are you looking for a sign that will lead you to enter in and experience the presence of Jesus?

Look for the Sign

Perhaps it’s the Sign of HOPE?

Every time the Israelites faced a new set of circumstances, they grumbled rather than remember God’s faithfulness through the years.

Are you able to “set your hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe?” (1 Timothy 4:10, ESV).

The Sign of PEACE?

Jesus is the Prince of Peace and He promised that when we remain in Him we will have peace.

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV).

We will never have peace that surpasses all understanding until we encounter the presence of Jesus.

A Sign of JOY?

Jesus promised that keeping His commandments and abiding in His love infuses us with His joy, and that would produce joy within that would overflow. (John 15:10-11).

We can abide in his love and experience the presence of his joy when we can’t muster it on our own.

Ultimately, what we look for we will find.

The shepherds could have tried to explain away what they’d just witnessed. They may have had a list a mile long of why they shouldn’t, or couldn’t, leave their location.

Yet, they didn’t.

Instead, they “said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us.’ So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger” (Luke 2:15b-16, NET).

It was because they looked for the recognizable sign that others were made aware of the identity of this baby boy.

He was so much more than your typical child; He was Christ the Lord.

Are you waiting for God to reveal a sign when He’s asking you to simply recognize His presence is already with you?

Avoid a navigational miss: go and make others aware of all the Lord has made known to you.

Who does God want you to help discover the presence of Jesus this holiday season?

Kolleen Lucariello, #TheABCGirl, is the author of #beYOU: Change Your Identity One Letter at a Time and is the Co-Director of Activ8Her, Inc. She is passionate to help every woman realize her identity in Christ and live accordingly. Kolleen and her hubby, Pat, make their home in Central New York. She’s the mom of three grown children and Mimi to six incredible grands. For more information about Kolleen, visit www.speakkolleen.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of ooceey at Pixabay.

Hark! The Good News

Sherri Cullison is a dear woman of God who has been through the wringer emotionally, and yet she chose joy and hope in God in her tough circumstances. In this Christmas UPLIFT, she offers her own experience in sharing the Good News to encourage us to do the same.

 "DING . . . DONG . . . DING . . . DONG . . . .

"My time of delicately playing worshipful music on the piano was brutally interrupted," Sherri says.

I (Dawn) love this heartfelt and truth-based UPLIFT. Sherri transparently shares how times of loss are unique opportunities for us when it comes to sharing the Good News of salvation.

Sherri continues . . .

My piano playing was interrupted with the loud ringing of bells high above the church rooftop as people arrived Sunday morning, just as they do every Sunday—announcing the start of the service.

I instantly jumped and then giggled at myself.

Many sounds announce the coming of certain events, such as Christmas music including BELLS—even displaying them in our decorations. In years past, women rang a bell on the ranch calling the cowboys in for supper. Students are even called into class by a bell.

And teachers, coaches, and referees use WHISTLES to stop and start the playing of sports.

As a young child, I went to the public swimming pool and the town SIREN was nearby. When the siren sounded, everyone at the pool stopped and paused for a moment because we knew it was likely something bad had happened or was going to happen. Just like our policemen, firemen, and ambulance drivers on their way to an emergency, sirens sound a warning to pull our cars over so they can pass.

TRUMPETS or SHOFARS were used in biblical times announcing certain seasons, events, or even signifying the start of a war. Psalm 98:4-6 (NIV) also reminds us that sounds of the trumpet and horn encourage joy and singing.

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the Lord, the King.”

MUSICIANS and SINGERS would often march on the front lines announcing the coming of soldiers into battle.

In the book of Matthew, an ANGEL of the Lord announced to Joseph about the coming birth of Jesus.

And in Mark, we learn that a PROPHET, John the Baptist, spread word of the coming Messiah.

These were heralds, or official messengers bringing news.

In Mark 1:14, Jesus was a herald too, proclaiming the good news. Verse 15 says,

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the Good News!”

Become a Herald of Good News

For the last two years, I was given the privilege of being my mother’s primary caregiver until she passed into heaven recently. There were struggles along the way, but there were also golden moments of opportunity I was given to talk to my mom about God.

My mother and father raised our family well with good morals and values, and her love for family was evident, but I never truly knew what her relationship with God was like.

Not long ago, when I knew in my spirit that she may not see the end of the year, I became a herald of the good news to her. I announced that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and what it meant to believe and accept the love of Christ in her heart. She likely knew this before, but I felt a responsibility to share the definitive good news with her.

My walk with the loss of my mother has been emotional and lonely, especially during the holidays, but I find solace in knowing that I didn’t suppress the opportunity to share God’s love with her.

I worked relentlessly toward giving her the best care she deserved and encouraging a step toward heavenly peace.

Times of loss may not feel like the time to share the Good News with others, but there are at least three ways we can take advantage of this opportunity:

1. When someone asks us how we're doing following a loss, we can be honest about how we feel, but also share how God comes and fills the well of loneliness as we talk to Him.

2. When someone asks us how we can worship God when we're devastated following a loss, we can share how spending time in God's presence in worship can envelope the fear and anxiety and bring peace.

3. When someone asks us how we can go on following a loss, we can share what God has done for us and the hope of knowing He's always there for us and has a future for us.

Sharing the Good News with someone may mean the difference between their hopelessness or happiness, and even spreading joy to someone who they know may need Christ’s love.

Jesus said, in Mark 4:43 (NIV),

“…I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”

May we, as followers of Jesus, boldly announce Christ’s love to others—even during our losses, because that may be the most prominent time others see God working in and through us.

How do you plan to share the good news with someone that needs Jesus today?

Sherri J. Cullison, author and speaker, knows the pain and devastation life brings. Whether your hope is treading or sinking, Sherri's heart for hope reveals how we can manage our everyday struggles to claim joy and love life. In her recent book, SOS: A Mother's Story of Survival, Rescue, and Hope in the Darkness of Teen Suicide, Sherri shares the heartbreaking loss of her daughter and the evidence of God's healing, forgiveness, and restoration. Sherri and her husband live in Arizona and have two children, seven grandchildren, five pianos, and one RZR. Find more about Sherri at www.sherrijcullison.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Peggy Choucair at Pixabay.