Life can require us to take action. Times of “action” can come from a positive place … or a not so positive place. Action can come from choice or force.
Despite the birth of the action, we’re setting into motion a needed response to a dilemma or situation that needs our attention.
My husband and I were blessed to live in Colorado for a few years. I was awestruck by the picturesque beauty of the Rocky Mountains that surrounded our little town outside of Denver.
“Now get up and stand on your feet.” ~ Acts 26:16 (NIV)
The word “surrender” can come with a negative connotation. To surrender evokes visions of fighting to hold on to something we don’t want to release. It means we must “hand over” possession of our “stuff” to someone else.
Usually, this “handing over” is under duress. To surrender means to relent … whether we like it or not.
“And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.” ~ 1 Kings 19:12
Have you ever been in a place—a meeting or gathering—where there was a lot of shouting or even anger?
You couldn’t hear clearly enough to make out what anyone was saying. But then, out of the bedlam, came a soft voice with such authority it caught the attention of everyone in the room.
That was the powerful moment I experienced while trying to process the loss of my husband to pancreatic cancer. Locked in my walk-in closet where I pray and study, God whispered.
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.
I’m saddling up, climbing on, and riding into your sunset. Forward into 2026 and whatever God has for me.
Selecting a word for the coming new year is a thing, right? Well, my word for 2026 is “Forward”.
“moving toward a place, a point or a time” “advancing” “relating to the future”
After my 2025, “Forward” is definitely appropriate for me. Maybe for you as well.
Forward denotes advancement—moving in a direction away from whatever it is you want to leave behind. Maybe you want to leave behind the pain of loss and its grief, financial woes, bad relationships, or stress from a home renovation that is taking waaaaaaaay too long!
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.
I recently read a story from a man who grew up on a farm with a working windmill. Occasionally, they would turn the windmill’s power off for an extended period of time and birds would build nests in the ironwork.
As a young boy, his father sent him out early one spring to check the windmill before returning its power. He found an elaborate nest made completely from wire that a bird had apparently scrounged for over a few summers. But she built her nest in a hazardous location and it had to be removed.
Cozy Intrigue ~ Janet Campbell 