. gifts of the magi

. christmas won't be christmas without any presents.
-jo march (louisa may alcott)

Jo's right, remember when she grumbled about not having any money for presents in little women? Christmas is about the gifts. always has been. but we feel uncomfortable with this emphasis on gimme, gimme, gimme. buy, buy, buy. charge, charge, charge. we admonish our children to remember the season, even though we have difficulty remembering it ourselves when we're caught up in the chaos and commotion of the holidays.

today let's ruminate on the Real role of gifts in the Christmas story. those gifts were wrapped in miracles, which is probably why we can't find them at malls or mail- order catalogs. the first gift was the Spirit: unconditional Love. the next gift came from a Jewish teenager named Miriam, who was known to her family and friends as Mary. her Christmas present was selflessness, the complete surrender of ego and will needed to bring Heaven down to earth. the gifts of her fiance, Joseph were trust and faith. he trusted that Mary wasn't pregnant with another man's child; he believed there really was a Divine Plan to get them through this mess. The Child brought forgiveness. Wholeness. Second chances. The angels' gifts were tidings of comfort, joy and peace, the reassurance that there was nothing to fear, so rejoice. The sheperd boy's gift was generosity: his favorite lamb for the baby's birthday present. The innkeeper's wife's gifts were compassion and charity: a warm, dry safe place for the homeless family to stay, her best coverlet to wrap the new mother and little one, a meal for Joseph, the donkey's fresh hay.

three kings from the east traveled many hot, dusty miles following a bright star in search of a royal birth. the sages' divination foretold the coming of the "kings of kings"; on their camels backs were treasures with which to honor his arrival. but when they arrived in Bethlehem, they found the newborn prince in a cow stall instead of a palace. the shocked wise men unwrapped gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but their Real gifts were wonder, acceptance and courage. they offered wonder by surrendering logic, reason, and common sense. accepting the impossible, they suspended skepticism long enough to double-cross the insane King Herod, frantically searching for a child who would change the world. with courage-at the risk of their own lives-the wise men helped the young family escape to a safe haven in Egypt.

oh yes, Christmas is all about the gifts. nothing but gifts. but such gifts! gifts tied with heartstrings. gifts that surprise and delight. gifts that transform the mundane into miraculous. gifts that nurture the souls of both the giver and the given. perfect gifts. authentic gifts. the gifts of Spirit, a frightened teenage girl, her bewildered sweetheart, the Child, the angels, the shepherd boy, the inn-keeper's wife. the gifts of the magi.

unconditional love. selflessness. trust. faith. forgiveness. wholeness. second chances. comfort. joy. peace. reassurance. rejoicing. generosity. compassion. charity. wonder. acceptance. courage.

to give such gifts. to truly open our hearts to receive such gifts gratefully. Christmas just won't be Christmas without any presents.
~sara ban breathnach

. pray for somebody

. when you pray for someone, think about what it's like to walk in his or her shoes. ask God to guide, help, and bless this person in practical ways. thank God for answers seen and not yet seen.
have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. you say

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:16 & John 3:34 )

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. a friend

a friend loveth at all times..proverbs 17:17
thank you for showing me that..

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. courage

. don't live in fear of what may happen. maybe you have heard of longer hours starting at work, bad news from a doctor, or a friend not talking to you without explaining.
all these things can be subject to change.
without a moment's notice God can change anything in our circumstances! remain hopeful and don't let fear rule. confront fear and you will find it's not as powerful as you thought it was.

remember, courage is not the absence of fear, but action in the presence of it. there is no such thing as courage where fear is not present. a great man doesn't allow fear to be his master. he courageously looks it in the face and stares it down with God by his side.

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. if you let Him

. the same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life..
matthew 6:25

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. hope

"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up."
~Anne Lamott
Best-selling Author of Bird by Bird, Operating Instructions, and Traveling Mercies

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. never say never

. i wish things would work out, but they won't...
. my situation is impossible...
. he'll never understand God...
. i could never forgive her...

ever heard, or made statements like those?
if so..take this hint! never say never. many of the hard-to-believe things we declare "impossible!" eventually do come to pass...right before our embarrassed eyes.

consider the munich elementary school teacher who told ten-year old albert einstein, "you will never amount to very much."
or the misguided executive with the decca recording company in the early '60's who decided not to offer a contract to an obscure musical group called the beatles.
and you can be sure simon newcomb is red faced in his grave. he's the guy who asserted in the 1800's that "flight by machine heavier than air is...utterly impossible."

never say never...
don't end that friendship or relationship just because you've been wronged.
don't give up on that friend who claims to be an atheist.
don't throw in the towel on your dream.
don't write off your future just because you've made some bad choices in the past.

never say never...
the gospel of matthew states that same principal
("with god all things are possible, " matthew 19:26)
and the book of philemon illustrates a story of betrayal and forgiveness and of how faith breaks down all barriers.
so before you say, "that's impossible!" or "that could never happen!" take five minutes to read paul's letter to philemon.

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. my birthday gratitude

thanksgiving is good, but thanksliving is even better..
~ matthew henry

make gratitude a way of life. pay attention to the simple, small wonderful gifts God brings into your life everyday-gifts like hot showers, reliable transportation, work to do, friends and colleagues to see, and food to eat. see each person as a divine appointment and be grateful that God sent each one your way(this includes anyone you wish God has sent to someone else).
accept each day as a gift.
cultivate a thankful spirit. you find what you look for, so focus on reasons to be grateful. your gratitude will color your attitude and make you more inspiring to be around.

.make a list of all the things and people who make you smile. post the list on the refrigerator door as a reminder of what you're grateful for.

thanks to those that were a part of my b-day. it was one of my best by far!

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. 1 corinthians 13:7

love bears all things
believes all things
hopes all things
endures all things

remember that on your journey to discovering your faith...
have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. just showed up for my own life

Spending my time sleep walking
Moving my mouth but not saying a thing
Hoping the changes would take by working their way from the outside in
I was in love with an idea
Preoccupied with how a life should appear
Spending my time at the surface repairing the holes in the shiny veneer
There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real
And I just showed up for my own life
And I'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright
I'm going to live my life inspired
Look for the holy in the common place
Open the windows and feel all that's honest and real until I'm truly amazed
I'm going to feel all my emotions
I'm going to look you in the eyes
I'm going to listen and hear until it's finally clear and it changes our lives
There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real
And I just showed up for my own life
And I'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright
Oh the glory of God is man fully alive
Oh the glory of God is man fully alive
There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real
And I just showed up for my own life
And I'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright
~ sara groves

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. dancing

When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept noticing the word "dance" at the end of the longer word. I remember reading somewhere that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music.

One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw "G", I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i". "God, 'u' and 'i' dance." God, you, and I dance. As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life.

Once again, I became willing to let God lead. May you abide in God as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trust God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.

Always remember to dance. . .
~Sharon Walker

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. come home

there are two realities to which you must cling.
first God has promised that you will receive the love you have been searching for and second, God is faithful to that promise.

so stop wandering around. instead, come home and trust that God will bring you what you need. your whole life you have been running about, seeking the love you desire. now it is the time to end that search. trust that God will give you that all-fulfilling love and will give it in a human way. before you die, God will offer you the deepest satisfaction you can desire. just stop running and start trusting and receiving.

home is where you are truly safe. it is where you can receive what you desire. you need human hands to hold you there so you don't run away again. but when you come home and stay home, you will find the love that will bring rest to your heart.
~henri nouwen

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. pray in secret

When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:6 NIV

praying in secret is like having a little conspiracy of love between you and God. people don't need to know that you're partnering with God to change the world, but you and God know you are serious about making a difference in your world- starting with the inner heart.

those you pray for won't know how often you have lifted them in prayer, but they will feel its effects. you may not be a diplomat at negotiating world peace, but your quiet faith will affect the world. like a seed hidden in the ground, your prayer of faith can be a seed of hope.

. set aside a place for prayer in your home and where you can meet God in quietness and solitude..

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. henri nouwen

. i have been introduced to this amazing writer and wanted to share some quotes..



“When we become aware that we do not have to escape our pains, but that we can mobilize them into a common search for life, those very pains are transformed from expressions of despair into signs of hope”

“Your body needs to be held and to hold, to be touched and to touch. None of these needs is to be despised, denied, or repressed. But you have to keep searching for your body's deeper need, the need for genuine love. Every time you are able to go beyond the body's superficial desires for love, you are bringing your body home and moving toward integration and unity.”

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advise, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand"

“Much violence is based on the illusion that life is a property to be defended and not to be shared.”

".....every time there are losses there are choices to be made. You choose to live your losses as passages to anger, blame, hatred, depression and resentment, or you choose to let these losses be passages to something new, something wider, and deeper."

“The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing... not healing, not curing... that is a friend who cares.”

“For as long as you can remember, you have been a pleaser, depending on others to give you an identity. You need not look at that only in a negative way. You wanted to give your heart to others, and you did so quickly and easily. But now you are being asked to let go of all these self-made props and trust that God is enough for you. You must stop being a pleaser and reclaim your identity as a free self.”

“Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure”

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. psalm 46:10 "be still and know that I am God."

Be courageous, Have confidence, Walk in victory..

So many times we make situations more than they are due to our anxiety,
CALM DOWN- God has your life under control; He knows how to handle even the seemingly complex situation with ease.
STOP- Stop having pity parties and talking about your business all the time; don't you know that the power of death and life is in the tongue! Stop speaking negative things into existence in your life and in others.
QUIT TRIPPIN'-When you look at your situations through your eyes, you often read more into the situation than what is there. It's not as bad as you think particularly if God is in your life; Stop overanalyzing your life. Be courageous 2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of Love, and of a sound mind. Fear is not of God. Have the courage to step out on faith and do the seemingly impossible. Start your own business; go into the ministry; apply for that promotion; anything that you've been afraid to do and you know that God has called you to do -
JUST DO IT- Have confidence! Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."Remember, greater is He that's within you than he that's in the world. You have the power of the most High God working in you, and you have His Son steadily making intercession for you. You have nothing to worry about! Walk with your head up! You say you have low self-esteem; somebody told you that you'd never amount to anything; know that you are somebody because you are a child of God!
Walk in the VICTORY- Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."Does anything else need to be said? The jury has been out and the verdict is in -
YOU WIN ! In your finances, on your job, in your relationships (married, single, divorced,family, friends) ,in your health!
God has already worked it out for you. It may not come the way you think it should come (or when you think it should), but remember - CALM DOWN, STOP, AND QUIT TRIPPIN '!
He's working it out for "YOUR" good (in His time).
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet.

(and don't forget to take a deep breathe. this too shall pass...)

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. surrender

the very vastness of the work raises one's thoughts to God, as the only one by whom it can be done.
~Florence Nightingale

there are times when even your best efforts fail. sometimes the most powerful way to deal with a challenge is to stop trying to control events, other people, and even God. quit fighting what's happening. let go of your tight grip, and open your hand. once you admit that you are at the end of your own resources, you make room for God to step in and work a miracle. when you can't control a situation or figure out the answer, surrender to God and trust his greater strength and wisdom. allow God to lead you step by step through this challenge.

. write down a problem that persists despite your best efforts to resolve it. deal with the problem by surrendering it to God and revisit the problem in a month.

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. be friendly and helpful

The world cannot always undersand one's profession of faith, but it can understand service.
~Ian Maclaren

your smile and helping hand can make a real difference in someone else's life. be alert for opportunities to reach out. give someone accurate directions. lift a heavy grocerie bag. ask a bewildered person if you can help. offer useful information. shake hands and introduce yourself. say happy mother's day to a stranger.
be willing to go out of your way to help others. don't wait for them to come to you. like an earthly angel sent by God, you may be the answer to someone's prayer.

. remember a time when someone offered you a smile and a helping hand. now think of how you can do the same for someone else...

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. i carry your heart with me

to carry one's heart within our own is such a gift to experience, i can only hope you allow yourself the opportunity.
without any self serving motives and only true intentions,
i close my eyes daily and say a prayer in your name, and God is listening, that i know.

i heard this recited for the first time tonight and thought it was so beautiful i had to share...

i carry your heart with me
(i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it
(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear no fate
(for you are my fate,my sweet)
i want no world
(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)
~ee cummings

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle

. decide to be your best self

Lord, take my lips and speak through them; take my mind and think through it; take my heart and set it on fire.
~ W.H. Aitken

you may have a grumpy defeatist side. that grumpy side is the one who gets up on the wrong side of bed in the morning and grumbles through the day. Your inner spirit knows better. that's the side of you that believes good can happen, gifts and talents should be cultivated, and prayer and faith do make a difference.
decide to be your best self everday. put your best effort into everything you do, no matter how small or insignificant it might seem. ask God to help you become the kind of person he wants you to be.

. resolve that you will be cheerful and not complaining when problems arise today

today i had the amazing opportunity to help my dear childhood friend debi with getting a new bedroom ready for her daughter ella to move into. debi's second unborn baby girl (which i have personally named lily, audrey, rose, and marissa ...to name a few...(none which have been picked).. is moving into the baby's room. i've never thought of myself as crafty and while i painted wooden hearts pink and red to hang from the ceiling and wrapped boxes in colorful wrapping paper to hold her diapers, pacifier's and toys, i realized my heart was already connected to this little baby without a name. what i knew was that i had a part in something much bigger than just decorating a room. i was experiencing the anticipation of someone that was already a part of this family unit. as ella ran around with her cousin nathan in and out of her new room, debi cooked dinner for her husband joe and i was aware of the desire and will they have as a couple to be in the present...together...in the best form of self they have to give each other daily.
. as for me, i had no complaints whatsoever today even if the glue gun did me wrong a few times and i thought i had an open wound from the red paint that splattered.
although i was there to help, this day helped me realize the power of a willing spirit.

have a beautiful day,
xo michelle