Winding down

He said before, “This is the time and place to rest,
    to give rest to the weary.
This is the place to lay down your burden.”
    But they won’t listen. (Isaiah 28:12)

Feel that pause? After all the hub-bub of the Christmas holiday, yes, I am ready to wind down. Ready for the period of "nothingness" that comes between the two holidays of Christmas and New Years. There seems to be a resting period. Plans get put on hold. Everyone seems to be waiting. Fresh starts begin - later. But for now ... we rest. We have this span of time where we don't have to start just yet. 

So take this pause. Just breathe for awhile. What could be done - has been done. You did the best you could at the time. A new year lies ahead, but we don't have to get it all planned out right this minute. A lot of life just comes at us and we live it out. Many a-time I have planned my days only to have something else come up - sometimes a friend needed a listening ear, last minute help over at the church, sometimes it was for spontaneous fun. 

We need times of rest. We are called by God to rest. We need time when we aren't in motion. Time to just sit and soak in the moment. Not evaluating. Not planning. Not anything. How often have you treated yourself to such luxury? You need downtimes. On a regular basis. It's not lazy. See it as reviving. See it as an important part of life's cycle. 

Take it.
Listen.

Something for everyone

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

I have many wonderful memories of my mom - especially Christmas ones. My mom mothered 8 children! They all got married in time. They all had children. So Christmas Day at home was always a houseful! Tables end to end from the dining room into the living room. Plenty of home cooked food and a place for all to sit down together and eat. But one thing that stands out in my mind is her desire that everyone should have a gift to unwrap - no matter how simple or small the gift - something for everyone. Now with such a large family, that added up to quite a bit! How my mom made it happen on such a limited income ... well, some might call it Christmas magic.

But I see it as the love of God - coming down. And just like sending His Son to save the whole world (something for everyone) at the Table, around the Tree ...

Its true, Christmas isn't about the presents. As I watched my mom year after year, I learned its about love, compassion, concern, care, thoughtfulness, and acceptance of one another.

One and all.

Inclusion. Long before it became a buzz word. Long before it needed to be said.

From Mom.
From God.

They so loved the whole world...

Unplugged?

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

Like many of you, we have our Christmas tree up now. And like some of you, the husband puts up the lights. We use both the white ones and the colored ones. The white ones are able to do a slow fade, similar to the theater lighting you may have in your car. Some of them simply fade to darkness, then after a few moments, they are brilliant and bright again, while other ones take their turn at fading. My husband likes that - he calls it "movement". The lights stay plugged in, but there is movement in the amount of light shining.

As I sit and watch these lights come and go, I am reminded that it is a lot like life. There are times when I feel connected to God and living life aright. Loving and giving and helping. Then there are days when I have to deal with bad news or stress. And my light seems to fade out and I'm not very strong at all. I'm not my best some days.

But when I stay connected with God, I can know that there are brighter times ahead. That means praying and praising when I don't feel like it. It means reading the Bible and digging around until a passage of scripture clicks and gives me an anchor to hold on to. It means embracing that certain hope: brighter days are coming.

Unplugged? Letting go of my connection with God, and I'm like a string of lights that aren't plugged in. The light goes out. Every glimmer of hope - goes out.

Maybe everything isn't merry and bright for you right now. Even though it is the Christmas season. Stay connected. What little energy you have, use for seeking God. Your light will grow bright again. It will. Life is movement.

Are you plugged in?

Today, I will choose ...

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Where is the man who fears the Lord? God will teach him how to choose the best. (Psalm 25:12)


Choices! Choices! We are confronted every day with decisions to make. And which choice is the BEST choice? Gift shopping and choosing which present will be the best gift for that certain someone. What to serve at the next holiday gathering. What would people really love? As a perpetual dieter, do I indulge, indulge, INDULGE with every temptation that comes along this season - or choose to grasp for good health while still enjoying a little treat now and again? Do I choose to participate and attend every seasonal event, collapsing in exhaustion at the end of every day? Or choose to relish a few activities, saving some time to reflect on the season, a flickering flame, a gentle snowfall, the Christmas lights... the manger? 

So often in the past, Christmas eve has come upon me and I wondered how it got here so quickly. All month long I had plans to settle somewhere quiet on a regular basis to reflect and ponder the true meaning of Christmas, but somehow (because of my choices), the opportunities slipped past me. And Christmas came. Christmas - almost over. 

Not this year. This year I'm going to sit and remember the miraculous account of Jesus' birth. I'm going to ponder Mary and Joseph and how they must have felt. I'm going to stand with the shepherds as the legions of angels came and be as overwhelmed as they must have been. And watch the night sky for the star that led the kings. 

This year, as the time draws near, I will take time to ponder - the birth of the King.

Peace... let it begin!

© 2017 Julie Crane All rights reserved

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  (Isaiah 9:6)

Many of us are familiar with that song. Longing for peace on earth. Realizing it may have to begin with ourselves. To hold our tongue, to forgive - even when the situation surely merits it. How hard it can be for us! How do we even begin to create a more peaceful atmosphere? Well ...

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

There He is. From the very beginning. Our Prince of Peace. So it only stands to reason that our source for having peace, and spreading peace, will come from the Prince Himself. (I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5)

So, are you seeking peace this Christmas season? For you. Family. Friends. I know where you can start. Grab a coffee or a cocoa and sit a few minutes at the Prince's feet. Sit and sip and ask for enlightenment on how to bring His peace into the world around you. Give Him those few moments of time it takes to enjoy that one cup. And see if He doesn't just fill you up with nudges of peaceful thoughts, words, and deeds!

Yes. Let there be peace on earth. And let it begin with ... Me.

Joy, joy, joy - down in my heart

© 2014 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. (Isaiah 60:1)

Picture the bride as she links arms with her daddy, ready to head down the aisle. The trembling smile. The shaking bouquet. The shared long look. Eyes sparkling. Toes tapping. All in anticipation of something that has long been dreamed, imagined, and hoped for. The long-awaited time is at hand ...

Picture the little children racing down the stairs on Christmas morn. Dancing. Hopping. Hands clapping. Eyes twinkling. Squeals of joy! Shaking with delight as to what is to come! All in anticipation of something that has long been dreamed, imagined and hoped for. The long-awaited time is at hand ...

Picture yourself breathing in and relishing the true meaning of Christmas. Body and soul practically vibrate with joyous excitement. Every sense on high alert. See the candlelight. Hear the bells. Smell the fresh-cut evergreens. Taste the special holiday treats and the touch of a loved one near ...

Come. Journey down the aisle. Dance and hop and clap your hands! Take in every trigger of enjoyment. The long-awaited time is at hand! The joyous celebration begins! The birth of Christ!