"DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?" A REPRISE

For me, once I start looking for the Lord, I see His hand all over the place.

This week, I've focused on Listening for the Lord and I have "heard" his "song" everywhere!

My Sunday morning cuppa included time scanning the "funnies"which many households refer to as the comics.

Then, I "heard" an affirmation from the Lord---loud & clear. I just love "Family Circus". So real and it always makes me laugh. This morning's Sunday School lesson, quoted Ann Voskamp. 

"Oxygenated grace is laughter." Something most of us need more of. 

As I began typing this entry, the melody of "Do You Hear What I hear" drifted in from the den.

Hubby was watching Tennessee Crossroads on PBS featuring a visit to "Sunny Side Lights" in Brentwood, TN. 

He was watching......

I was listening to the melody but the lyrics spoke inside my head..........

Do you hear what I hear

A song, a song

High above the trees

With a voice as big as the sea.

.....and I heard my "spiritual" song as my week ended. (James 4:8) A song from the Lord.

THE PERFECT GIFT

Addendum---after posting this entry, 2 different folks said (directly to me)----don't let your tinsel get in a tangle! Then ,I "uncovered" this gift from a friend.........."I get it! I get it!"

Some people are "naturals" at gift giving---thoughtful, creative, pragmatic, & within budget all rolled into one. Many folks I know do this. However....
I  would not be one of those. It's not that I don't try. I even try to keep notes on who likes what so I don't give milk chocolate treats to the dark chocolate diehards, or "forget to delete nuts" in non-nut folks' recipes---actually, I usually err on the side of extra nuts so I just eat it all extras myself!

I have really struggled this season, trying for perfection in all my shopping. Though son Buddy's recent sermon, reminded me that joy is re-findable, even in holiday chaos, when folks tend to lose their way. A reminder to slow down and "savor the season" (and the Savior) and not "over shop it." So....I pulled out some gifts I've received to try to replicate similar ideas of thoughtfulness for others---these "small" gifts were "perfect" for someone like me.

 "My" favorite Christmas carol highlighted on a super-sharp pencil (and it has a great eraser!!)

Fresh gathered eggs from Full Circle Ranch for me to share with family. Grandson could not believe there were pink ones, white ones, along with light and dark brown ones. But, all tasted delish!
Just ask, Owen.

So many but don't want to list for fear of leaving someone out!! But what I see in each is that relationships are real between the giver and the receiver----I'm just blessed to be on the receiving end!

I do keep trying so hard to make all (12) stockings personalized and yet fair---don't want to hurt someone's feelings. Then, I read an Ann Voscamp quote. "Stop holding onto a standard of perfection instead of being held by the arms of grace." I had already written an AV observation, that began to ring true as I wandered distractedly here, there and yon (in my own house, no less. Voskamp said anxiety can give you God Alzheimer's." I might forget where I've hidden hubby's gift or M's tea but I don't want to forget God or move Him to the back room. So, I stopped, refocused and 5 folks walked in unexpectedly. Yahoo!

Of course, the only true perfect gift arrived centuries ago in a manger in Bethlehem. A gift from our heavenly Father who keeps on giving....
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights... (James 1:17)