Saturday, October 26, 2013

God's Pumpkin Patch






I am the true vine, and my Father is the Gardener...
John 15:1



God's pumpkin patch is full of pumpkins that are ripe and ready to harvest. He carefully picks each one at the proper time and carries them into the house to clean out. He washed off the dirt and mud from the garden to make sure the outside is clean. Then He cuts off the top, cleans out all of the things we are hiding within ourselves that we have hidden, yet they are things that will spoil us if it is not cleared out. When He is finished, he looks at the pumpkin to decide what plan He has for that particular pumpkin.
He sets up the table, and then tediously carves a work of art into the pumpkin. It's painful as He smoothly moves over the face of the pumpkin. When He is finished with the carving, He picks a scented votive candle that complements the pumpkin, and then lights the candle.
His children 'oooo' and 'ahhhh' as they use the sense of sight to see the brightness of the light the Father has placed within the pumpkin, as well as how it shines through the stunning artwork that is the entire pumpkin. They inhale with their sense of smell the aromatic melody of the pumpkin scent as it blends with the nutmeg and cinnamon candle within it's shell. They touch the beautiful carving in awe of what the Father has made of a simple pumpkin from His garden.
"It's beautiful, Father!"
"Then take care of it," the Father replies as He hands His angel the pumpkin. "Go and make sure it's light shines in the world."
"What happens if someone destroys the pumpkin?" The Angel apprehensively asked.
"Then bring it back to me, and I will make it another work of art. Each pumpkin in My garden has a purpose. I have made each one to be a light in this world for Me and to show My love to them."
The Angel nods before He walks out of the Father's house, to see hundreds of pumpkins with tiny candles that lit the path. It was then that the Angel understood how each light is used to help another, to light the path to the Father's house. 

We are created for a purpose...you are created for a purpose. Whatever has happened in your past, God can and will use you if you go to Him and allow Him to clean you and allow you to be a work of art for Him.


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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Holiday Horror Story

After weeks of making lists, checking the adds for sales, cleaning the house beyond immaculate, the day had finally arrived! Christmas Eve! It should have been a day of joy and blessing, but to her, it was a day of pressure. It was a test that she had passed throughout the years, but would this be the year she would fail? Her mother-in-law would visually inspect the house. Her father-in-law did his best to ease the tension. Her mother criticized the way she made the stuffing, because she didn't follow the exact family recipe. Her father just wanted to watch the football game. Her brother and sister-in law were late, which caused a disagreement between her brother and mother - who wanted everything perfect. Her sister, the one blessing to her, didn't show up, because she spent the holidays with her family. Then there were the nieces and nephews running around the house, teasing each other........She lost it, and shouted, "CALGON, TAKE ME AWAY!"

Since I’m always working, my best holiday memories are definitely 
when I can just go home and spend time with my family. 
–Chris Brown 


Sharing the holiday with other people, and feeling that 
you’re giving of yourself, gets you past all the commercialism.
– Caroline Kennedy
 



The term 'Happy Holidays' seems to have been replaced by 'Holiday Horror Stories.' Come September, the holidays seem to blend together and get shoved out into the stores. It seems that Christmas decorations come out near the end of September...sometimes even before the Halloween decorations come out. As far as Thanksgiving, you might as well hang it up. In the middle of all of that, we have the hustle and bustle of preparing for family to come to the house, or for holiday travels to their house, creating havoc of Biblical proportions! There is not enough caffeine to help some moms through this time blessed, yet stressful, time!
In looking at our own family, we have decided to scale it way back this year. We are blessed and have decided that family is a precious gift that is invaluable. This is the one time of the year, after all, that the entire family gets together as a group. Yes, we see various parts of the family throughout the year, however, this is the one time we are all together, and that is the best gift any of us could give.
To ease the tension of the holidays on my sister-in-law, the various family members are bringing a portion of the meal with us, and keeping Christmas to a minimum. To ease the Thanksgiving meal on my mother, I've decided to have it at my house, allowing her to have Thanksgiving 'off' this year.
In looking around this holiday, can you take some pressure off the head cook or the meeting house of choice for the holidays? If not, be prepared to leave the espresso on the counter and back away slowly!
Make it a Happy Holiday this year, instead of a Holiday Horror Story :) 

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