I’ve lost that “Grinchy” Feeling….

LightsEach year I focus on #oneword for the year.  A word, that I research and seek out in scripture and pray about.  A word I feel the Lord puts on my heart as a focus for the coming year.  Past year’s words have included: Joy, Celebration, Ponder, Wonder, Hope, and Peace.  As of Christmas morning I had yet to sense my word for 2016.  I wasn’t stressing because several times I didn’t get it until mid January.

The day after Christmas, I had to leave my family all snug in their beds and set out in the dreary rain for work. I knew that before I reached my client, my family would be rising to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and a lovely breakfast.  To say that I was in my own personal land of pity as I drove the route to the nursing home was an understatement.DSC_0357

I was feeling “Grinchy”, really really “Grinchy” (no, not my #oneword for 2016).  My heart was heavy and I was focusing on myself and that I was missing out.  I knew I couldn’t walk into a patient’s room cloaked in regret, anger, and self-pity, so I began to take stock of my blessings over the last 24 hours.  I also sought God for my #oneword.   I pondered the Advent series I lead over at #HOPEscope on Periscope and how many people wrote to tell me it blessed them.  I wondered about what theme to approach in 2016.  As I prayed and drove, my spirit lifted and my thoughts drifted to the word ADVENT.

DSC_0320My attitude of gratitude caused me to berate myself for the total 180 swing my emotions took as I set out for work earlier.  The carols which had brought me joy and a stirring of anticipation had made me feel like I was lacking…and were almost painful to hear as I journeyed further from my family for the day.  I went from celebrating Christmas to commiserating with Scrooge in about 15 minutes time.  I went from glad to sad, from blessed to stressed, you get the picture. Thankfully Gratitude changed it around.

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year,” – reverberated in my grey matter.  (No it is not Biblical it is Charles Dickens – “Christmas Carol”) What would that really look like?  To keep the excitement and enthusiasm of anticipating Christmas ALL year long?  Was it even possible?

This past week, I have been writing fast and furiously about living out a NEW ADVENT in preparation for not the babe….but the Second Coming of Christ – The Return of the King!

Advent means ‘Coming’ in Latin. This is the coming of Jesus into the world.

How can we capture the excitement of Advent and be full of love and joy as we are during theDSC_0333 holidays and live that out 365 days a year?  How could our year and our lives be different if we took the time to explore how the presence of Christ on this earth impacts our lives AND our future?  The Return of the King is the culmination of the life of the Love Gift sent by our father in Heaven to the manger.

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 1 Peter 1:13

101_9456We need to take as many people as we can with us to Heaven.  This year my #oneword  ADVENT, will take me on a journey of preparation for the “Return of the King” I will explore the adult life of Christ and what his purpose was beyond that of salvation.  How does he manifest in the names he is called? What promises do we have because he came as a babe in a manger?  My prayer is the joy of the NEW ADVENT will be contagious and I will reflect the image of Christ.  My hope is that people will see the ADULT JESUS living in me, and want to meet Him.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

I hope you will join me in this journey into preparing for a NEW ADVENTThe Return of the King.

I will be exploring this each Monday on  “Mondays: Beyond the Manger”  over at #HOPEscope on www.periscopetv . My show airs live Monday-Friday at 7:15 am eastern time! I hope you will join me!

POINT TO PONDER:  What is your #oneword for 2016?

One Reply to “I’ve lost that “Grinchy” Feeling….”

  1. I just wanted to thank you for all you do on the hope scope each morning. I only wish you had more people join in to watch. Maybe there aren’t very many Christians on Pariscope.
    Paul

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