Today, I have a gift I want to give you. I’s a gift EVERY WOMAN NEEDS! And it’s tucked inside this short video. I recorded it last week for a friend’s Christmas give-away, but after I finished it, I just knew God wanted me to give it to you too! So, instead of reading about it, please click the arrow below so I can tell you about it.
I’ve got a question and a give-away for you, but first here are some things I want to share::
Printable Christmas Prayer
For those hopping over from my P31 devotion today, welcome! That story I share in the video is the year that led to the writing of my Christmas prayer. If you’d like to receive a FREE printable version of it, please enter your email in the box below and click signup.You’ll receive an email within 24 hours that include links to download the prayer as a printable 4×6, 5×7 or 8×10 you can frame for yourself and give as gifts.
Confident Heart Online Study
I also want to invite you to join me and women from all over who will gather here beginning January 16th to read through my book, A Confident Heart. We’ll walk through each chapter together and discover how we can overcome self-doubts and strong or even subtle insecurity by learning how to to live in THE security of God’s promises! I’m so excited about all God’s laying on my heart for our study, and I’d love for you to be part of this special community where we’ll share encouragement, prayers and stories of all that God is doing in and through us!
To join us, enter your info and click Sign Up..
To find out more details about online study, click here.
Enter Today’s Give-away
How you are going to give yourself grace this Christmas? I’ll share my answer in the comments below. You can share yours and any other thoughts you have about video message or the topic of my devotion and you’ll be entered to win this gift pak just in time for Christmas:
- Copies of my book (for you & two friends)
- 3 Sets of Confident Heart conference calls (optional)
- $10 Starbucks gift card
- Godiva Chocolate Bar
Click below this post where it says “Share Your Thoughts” and do just that. Then be sure to share this post with friends (see those tell-a-friend buttons? They make it really easy). If you do, leave another comment and tell me. You’ll be entered twice! {Update: Congratulations Angel Miller (your were selected in our prayerful yet random drawing for a winner. We’ll email you details! Thank you all for entering. Be sure to sign up for email updates in the sidebar so you don’t any future give-aways!)
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I am showing myself grace this year by allowing new traditions to be started in my new family. We are a blended family with a new baby. Lots of changes and strife in the last 2 years and I just decided that it’s time to get back to basics.
I will no longer run around ragged trying to buy things that will make people in my family happy. Instead, we will plan a weekend to go away, see holiday displays and make new family memories.
The words that you shared just help me see Christmas for what is. I am encouraged to hear the message of hope from God’s word, that i can just go to God and He will give me rest! Merry Christmas!
I am allowing God to bless me with his grace this Christmas by resting in the fact that He does not expect perfection from me. I’m trying to take one day at a time, trusting that He’ll give me the time and the patience to do the things He would have me do, and I’m trying to only commit to those things that I absolutely have to do so that this year is not so stressful and overwhelming. I’m making sure that I am not skipping my daily time with God and church activities so that I can get everything I think needs to be done done. I’ve had a lot more time this year to be more spontaneous with my family, to actually enjoy the Christmas activities that we find time to do, and to keep Christ at the center of the season.
I enjoy the Christmas activities and love giving gifts to those I love. But most of all something that often hits me is: “Immanuel – God WITH US!!” Love it! And not only during this time of year, but always.
I am giving myself grace this year by letting dishes sit in the sink overnight and laundry stay in the dryer for a couple of days. Little things for some but these are huge for me and are really teaching me that my family is OK with these chores not getting complete right away and that they would much rather spend time with me than watch me run around trying to get everything done. I am being intentional about our cuddle time and time together as a family. I love the scripture of Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. In fact my 7 year old wrote it out on my white board as a reminder to all of us. Love it when God uses our children to speak truth to us.
As a working mother of two and a doctoral student who is desperately trying to finish up a dissertation by the end of the month, I get so caught up in the guilt trip of not being there for my kids and not having the house perfectly decorated. Thanks, Renee. I needed that reminder this morning. HIS Grace is sufficient for me.
Hugs across the miles, Carla.
I AM GIVEN MYSELF GRACE BY LETTING GOD TAKE CARE OF MY WORRIES OF OUR SON BEING AWAY THIS CHRISTMAS WHILE SERVING IN THE NAVY, HE IS IN KOREA FOR 7 MONTHS. IT IS NOT ABOUT THE GIFTS, IT ABOUT FAMILY TIME, BEING TOGETHER MAKING MEMORIES AND ABOUT THE BIRTH OF BABY JESUS. I AM GOING TO BE A BETTER SERVANT IN THE NEXT YEAR. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND GOD BLESS. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WORD OF ENCOURAGEMNET
I am letting myself off the hook in that this will be a quiet Christmas for us this year. In past years it has been rush through everything from rushing to make a Christmas Eve Service at Church so we make it to one family gathering to rush through that to make it to family gathering number two…to go home and wake up Christmas morning to rush my kids through the morning festivities to rush to get to family gathering #3 and then rush to family gathering #4….I opted out of some of these family gatherings this year (with a lot of anger from others) so that we as a family (my husband, myself and our 4 kids) can get out of our Christmas Eve Service what we should…the celebration of His birth, so that we can enjoy our time together for the family gatherings we will do…He is the reason for the season, He is the one we need to stop and celebrate and not be obligated or pressured to rush through our time to reflect and cherish that.
I’m showing myself grace by not stressing and totally trusting in Him that I will get to see my daughter during the Christmas break. We have 4 dollars to our name, and my current plan about going and getting her fell through due to this, so I am totally trusting in Him that He will make a way. I truly enjoy your devotionals and your Bible studies. Thank you for sharing His Word with all of us! You have been a blessing in my life!
Grace. That’s what I need to get through a Christmas season where, for the first time in a long time, I am feeling the “guilt” of not being able to give presents this year (I am currently unemployed). I know gifts are not the most important part of the season, but it is still a challenge. Thankfully, God DOES know the PLAN He has for me…and I can trust in that.
There are tears streaming down my cheeks. God led me to this message very clearly this morning and I needed it!! I have clinical depression and right now it is swallowing me up. I told a friend that I hated Christmas. I will spend today finding ways to take and appreciate God’s Grace and then cut myself some slack. Thank you!!
Ps… I will be sharing this with that same friend via e mail and sharing on FB!!!
I was excited to share on Facebook and Twitter as well! 🙂
I have decided to have a Mary Christmas this year…. instead of my usual Martha Christmas!
I told my friends on facebook. 🙂 I love that I found this blog and that God is using you in a Mighty Mighty way. Blessings to you and your family.
Thank you for your encouraging words, Renee. You have reminded me to be still and take time throughout my day to focus on God and the Grace He has for me. ……I am giving myself Grace this year by doing very little baking, sending Christmas letter’s via email, focusing more on helping others that are struggling this year, to be sure that they have a Merry Christmas and experience the love of Christ. My family is with me on this therefor I am doing less shopping for us because it’s not about us. Christmas isn’t about the gift, but what is in the heart. I desire to share my heart with others. God Bless you this Christmas, Renee.
Wow, I love to hear the grace that others are giving themselves this year. I’m giving myself grace to not send out Christmas cards and all the rigamarole that goes with it, like pictures etc.
This is very true. I know with small children in the home- it’s so hard because you want to shower the ones you love with what “you” think will make them happy. Just as this post talks about, that will just leave everyone with an empty heart. I do need an extra helping of Grace, and not feel bad that I will probably fall short of the expectations that I have set for myself. Trying to remember that God loves me- just like I am!
I am giving myself grace this year by not stressing out about gifts for everyone this year. My kids are young enough that they don’t care if they get a bunch of presents or just a few. My husband and I are in the midst of buying a house, so we aren’t buying a bunch of presents.
I shared on my fb wall and am looking forward to joining your for your Confident Heart study!
Thank you so much for your message. This has been a difficult year for us. My mother-in-law passed away the end of August. So this is the first year we have had Thanksgiving and Christmas without her. Over Thanksgiving, I put so much pressure on myself to make sure my husband had an enjoyable day and was not stressed, that I had a miserable time. I’m praying for God’s grace to be with us during the Christmas season. That His grace will feel our hearts where there is emptiness. I’m giving myself grace to be sad and grieve the loss of my mother-in-law as well as allowing my husband to do the same.
Thank you again for your message.