'Tis The Season

by | Dec 16, 2011 | Today's Imperfect Minute | 0 comments

I LOVE Christmas time.

I love the colors, the cheer, the lights, the festivities and the month-long opportunity to share the hope of Christ with my kiddos.

It’s a time where we can don our crazy Christmas sweaters, drink eggnog (I’m sure some of you just gagged), treat ourselves to far more delicious goodies than we should and stand humbled and amazed at the gift of that tiny baby boy.

That babe in a manger, who was sent to bring hope, joy and peace;  sent to repair the torn fabric of mankind and to save a wretch like me.

As you join in the Christmas carols, do you ever stop and think that hope, joy and peace seem so far away?

I know I sure do.

I had actually just shared with a dear friend the struggle I was having to find joy .

And then yesterday, God led me to this scripture and quietly whispered, “Hey, that’s for you. Pray it. A lot.”

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

I read this and my heart just exploded.

‘Tis the season to live abundantly full of hope, joy and peace. Not just for the Christmas season, but for every. single. day.

Because He said so.

Let’s break this down: I trust Him.

I trust Him to save me. John 3:16

I trust Him to heal me. Isaiah 53:5

I trust Him to lead me in paths of righteousness. Psalm 23:3

I trust Him to heal my marriage. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11

I trust Him to make me the wife and mother He has called me to be.

So I trust Him, now what?

His word, states He will fill me with hope, joy and peace.

Sound so simple, doesn’t it?

It really is.

Sometimes I think He must look down and wonder why I complicate things so much. (I know my husband sure does!)

Not only will he fill me with hope, joy and peace, but he states He will do so until I am overflowing.

Overflowing.

1.to flow or run over, as rivers or water: .
2.to have the contents flowing over or spilling, as an overfull container:.
3.to pass from one place or part to another as if flowing from an overfull space:
4.to be filled or supplied with in great measure: a heart overflowing with gratitude;
God wants to fill us until we are overflowing.
He wants our hope, joy and peace to overflow into the lives of those around us.
Our husbands, children, co-workers, family (yes, even the demanding ones), church and our community.
I want to overflow abundantly.
I want my need for hope, joy and peace to to be filled.
I want the Lord to use my overflow to pour into my husband’s need for hope, peace and joy.
“Tis the season for God’s abundant life!
Will you join me and make this prayer your heart’s cry?
May the God of hope fill  ______ with all joy and peace as______ trust in him, so that ______ may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Fill your and your husband’s names in the blank and get prepared for the overflow!
Ready for God’s abundant life for us all,
Barb
Photo by Pixomar @ freedigitalphotos.net

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