At the moment of this writing, much of the south is still recovering from ice and snow dumped across several states in January 2026. Actually, we’re quite upset about the whole thing. All these high-pressures and low-pressures should know that this kind of weather belongs up north. Way up north. We of the south want our normal winter temperatures back!
Make no mistake, I’m not afraid of a bit of winter weather. I lived in Colorado for a few years and trust me, snow was not scarce. Neither was extreme cold. But that’s what you expect in Colorado. Georgia, not so much.
However, cozying up with a mug of hot chocolate and a piece of peppermint bark , I found myself musing about snow (or ice) days and how joyful they are.
Thankfulness means ThanksLIVING. It’s a choice we make day by day. Sometimes moment by moment.
ThanksLIVING: A Cost
When facing punishment for his sin, King David turned back to God and His great mercy. The prophet Gad, sent by God, told David to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, as the Lord had commanded. When King David told Araunah he had come to buy his threshing floor, Araunah told the king to take it and use it as he wished. But King David knew he could not give thanks on an altar that cost him nothing.
If you are anywhere near my age, though I’m not mentioning a number, you may remember a song called Chevy Van by Sammy Johns. Customized vans impacted the 1970s culture, and this song contributed to the reputation of Chevy vans at the time and beyond.
Why am I talking about Chevy vans, you might ask yourself? Well, I’m going to tell you a story about my husband, our first date, and how my dad knew right away that Chris was my one.
My husband and I have spent over a year becoming lazy, good-for-nothing couch potatoes. But, this didn’t happen just because we’re lazy and a couple of good-for-nothings …
After weeks of shopping, decorating, cleaning and cooking, Christmas 2023 is over. It came and went in what felt like five minutes. All that remains are a few leftovers still hanging out in the fridge, one stocking someone flung under the tree, the satisfaction of holiday success and the dreaded “un-decorating” of the house.
But, it was a great Christmas with family and friends. And once I settled my anxiety over the necessities of hosting, there was actual enjoyment.
This year, during the last few days before Christmas, I became aware our son had begun playing tricks with my nativity … specifically with the baby Jesus … the baby Jesus I hadn’t planned on putting out this year.
Let me explain.
Each Christmas our fireplace mantle displays a painting of the nativity and is covered in garland with angels, bells and shimmering trees. My decorations include a large nativity with animals, shepards and wise men on the entryway table. But this year, instead of the nativity on the table, I put out snowmen, candles, snowy scenes with little Christmas trees and glittery, festive baubles everywhere. My decorations looked lovely and Christmassy.
Then a friend commented about going to a Christmas parade and not seeing a single float that depicted the reason for the season, not even the church floats included a nativity. It was all holiday, holiday holiday, but nothing “Christ”-mas.
I stopped in my tracks, looked around at my own decorations, and despite the nativity painting on my mantle, I knew I must make my Christmas décor highlight the true meaning of Christmas, so out came Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Phew! Christmas crisis averted.
But then the games began …
I first noticed my nativity looked jostled. Mary or Joseph would be turned, looking across the room, not at the baby. Baby Jesus would be out of place. I was always readjusting them. Then one morning, it happened, baby Jesus was gone! There was Mary and Joseph gazing lovingly down at absolutely nothing.
My panic and search resulted in finding baby Jesus on top of the refrigerator. Knowing my son, I now understood the mystery.
That was only the beginning of this game. It became a daily hunt for baby Jesus. I found him with the snowmen. On the mantle. Under the tree. Even my husband became a “mover”. My guys were having way too much fun messing with me.
But I always found baby Jesus. He was never far away and I realized there was something to learn in our little family game … if you seek Him, you will find Him.
Christmas has become a season of apprehension. We fret over gifts, food, and decorating. Rushing to this event or that concert. These are all wonderful things but, when do we find time to fit Jesus into our holiday calendar?
Our little family game may seem silly, but it emphasized the importance of putting Jesus into every moment of the season. And even if we lose sight of him, he’s never far away. We will always find him.
Without Jesus, Christmas is just another holiday. Just another day off work or school. Without Jesus, Christmas has no real joy, no real reason for the season.
Christmas without Jesus? No thank you! I will seek Him and I will find Him.
Just kidding. I am no domestic diva. Martha Stewart has nothing to fear. Now, my husband? Well, he did vow for better or for worse.
Even though I hate to cook—and let me emphasis hate—my awesome husband would say I’m a great cook. Then again, he is stuck with me for life, so …
On the whole, weekends at my house are wonderful. Friday night is date night, followed by Saturday morning breakfast at my favorite coffee shop, complete with gingerbread lattes all year, not just the holidays. Our family makes an event of weekend sports … on the field and in front of the TV … and we enjoy them together with our favorite take-out food. Weekends equal no cooking, and that’s a win for everyone.
I muddle through the weekdays dreading the three o’clock hour when I’m forced to ask myself that age old question: “What am I going to fix for supper?”
Recipes are not the problem. I have a million. (okay, that might be an exaggeration) With Pinterest, Facebook, and food blogs all over the internet—information that Professor Google will find lighting fast—I have plenty of options. But there’s another problem …
Grocery shopping. Yeah, I hate that, too. Dinner time is a scramble to defrost something, gather ingredients, and pray everything is still in date.
For me, it’s inevitable. I decide what dinner is going to be, begin preparation … and it happens. Something vital to my recipe is out of date. I close my eyes, breathe a desperate “please” and then, “Yes”! It’s a “BEST BY” date, not an expiration date! (come on, I can’t be the only one!)
On our way to church a few weeks ago, that phrase made its way into my thoughts. Best By. It occurred to me that perhaps I have reached my Best By date. Still usable but, maybe I should step back and let those in their prime do the teaching, the singing, and the leading. Sure, I could stay ready to step up when there’s a temporary need to be filled.
Best by…
We age and begin to notice changes, aches and pains. But God does not put us out to pasture. He makes that clear in His word.
“Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.” ~Psalms 92:14
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” ~2 Corinthians 4:16
No, God does not stamp us with a Best By date. Our usefulness has no expiration date. It’s in Him that we “live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)
“I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.” ~Psalms 146:2
We never stop serving. We never stop loving. We never stop … period.
The world may want to retire us and put us in the back seat as we age, but it’s no mystery that God never calls it quits for us.
Walk through every door He opens. Step up each time He calls. God will strengthen and give the tools needed to accomplish whatever He calls us to … no matter our age.
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” ~Isaiah 40:31
Cozy Intrigue ~ Janet Campbell 