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 learned to give myself grace by not allowing Christmas to be about gifts. I can’t always afford things for my kids and I used to feel very guilty about it. I’m trying to teach my children grace by reminding them that we are supposed to be celebrating the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ and that nothing that we can give one another measures up to that. I spend plenty of time beating myself up over other things…this year I actually had the tree up more than a week before thanksgiving. I have always dreaded Christmas in the past. I will never be a perfect parent, spouse, house keeper…but all God expects is for me to try to do the right thing by him.
Hi Renee! Thank you so much for your words of wisdom! This year, for the first time in a long time, I am noticing the grace God affords me. Glory! Can’t wait to participate in this study. Praying unabashedly for a win but if not am saving my money to buy the book. Will be back after I post on Twitter!
In His Name,
Felecia
I’m going to give myself grace in not worrying about the little things. I’m going to focus on my family and spending time with the ones I love.
Your video came at the perfect time for me. Just had a conversation yesterday with my daughter-in-law about ALL the expectations on women..not only THIS time of year but daily. How we as women compare ourselves and feel guilt and shame and disappointment that we aren’t as “good” as our girlfriends. I went to our Sunday School class Progressive dinner on Saturday night, and all the homes were beautifully decorated with LOTS of presents WRAPPED under the tree. I have not even bought presents to wrap to put under a tree, so once again I start “judging” myself and wondering why I can’t be a SUPER woman..work full time, care for my mom, husband, children, grandchildren, keep the house in order, cook wonderful meals, clothes always cleaned, house beautifully decorated,……everything in order and perfect….and of course sleep a little bit too…Your video was just what I needed. I need to claim the wonderful Present of God’s son and receive His grace on a daily basis. Thank you for this gift to me this morning.Blessings this Christmas season.
Thank you Renee! I am giving myself grace this year by spending more time with the in-laws and trying to be a better daughter in law instead of the perfect party hostess. I am also going to stop when things gets crazy and set my compass back North to the reason for this magical season!
I also shared on facebook!
I gave myself a break from sending out a Christmas picture – no coordinating with someone to snap the picture, no having to be dressed & primped just so, no multiple takes, no ordering photos, no sutffing pics in Christmas cards…..aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!
Love the Christmas prayer sharing with my friends. Also hope to start Confident Heart study!! I got my book, now a couple friends need so we can study together!! Merry Christmas!!
i am buried up to my neck between my job, my home and my church. there are many things i am a part of that leave little time for me. i have to remind myself daily that “but for the grace of God” i would not have the ability to go day to day and accomplish the tasks before me. the gift of grace for me this year is being able to take off the entire week between Christmas and New Years. my husband and i agreed that will be our down time to work on our home projects that we have been wanting to complete.
I am giving myself grace by not stressing about decorating the house. We have a tree and that is about it. No one else seemed to care as much as I did and in all honesty, I have decided not to waste the precious time on something that doesn’t matter or make a difference this year. Instead, we are cleaning out closets to donate to other families, working at the food bank, and making cookies for neighbors.
I’m giving myself grace by slowing down and talking to my 16 month old about Christmas, trying to remember to squat down and show her the pretty tree more than I harp “no touch,” and reading her little “The Story of Christmas” book to her at least once every day. She has learned to say Mary, Joseph and Jesus in her own sweet way. No gifts have been purchased quite yet, there are no outside lights up on our house this year, and our Christmas cards aren’t even ordered but we’re spending time with her, teaching her about the reason for all of these lights and decorations. 🙂
Thank you for this Renee. I feel so pressured every year to be the one that has to plan everything for the family. We have a fairly large family. My grace started on Thanksgiving this year. My husband and I went on a short trip to Anchorage the weekend before thanksgiving. Well of course this time of year up in Alaska the weather goes down hill fast. I started to stress out about getting back to my home town, Kodiak. My husband kept saying don’t worry about it but of course I was trying to make him understand how important it is for me to be back to prepare. I couldn’t believe he wasn’t being more understanding…..funny ha!! You would think by now I wouldn’t be using that excuse to get stinky with him, but I did. The phone calls started coming on Monday afternoon asking what the menu was and what’s everyone’s assignments. After i told everyone that I wasn’t doing dinner this year because i wasnt sure we’ld be home in time I was at such peace that my husband and I enjoyed our extra three days of our minny vacation. You know what….Thanksgiving still happened, we all had a great time and I wasn’t in charge what so ever. I didn’t realize until thanksgiving day what God was doing for me. He forced me to take a break and He revealed to me through those chain of events that He’s in charge and to keep my eyes on Him. I intend to do that very thing this whole Christmas season and I feel more free this year than ever before. Oh, and we didn’t get home until the Wednesday afternoon before thanksgiving.
I really love how God works. He is so gracious. Have a Marry Christmas Renee.
Love from a sister in the Lord. Lori Ryser
Oops, Merry Christmas Renee. 🙂
I think I need to give myself grace this year because we can’t give our children as many gifts this year, because money is tight because we have a new baby (she will be 7 months in a few days). I have tried to teach them that it’s not about gifts, it’s about THE gift, so I think they will be ok with it. I will try to focus more on the real reason for the season and get my older 2 involved in teaching this to their new baby sister.
I had surgery the first of Oct. It didn’t heal up and so I had to have another surgery 2 weeks later. Long story short, it’s already Dec. and it still hasn’t healed. I’m taking Christmas and trying to heal from the inside out and be grateful for what I have and where I’m at. Plus, I’m home bound so I can’t go anywhere if I did want to. I need God’s GRACE more than ever.
I will enjoy life just relaxing and not make too many plans. I will limit my project goals so it’s manageable. I will say “no” a lot lol
H
Honestly I’ve never thought about Grace in this way, probably because I’m 19, but watching this video really spoke out to me and made me think in a new perspective on the idea of it all.
Beyond inspired by your devotionals you post on proverbs 31 ministies… I asked Santa for Christmas I want you’re book a confident heart… I’m so inspired by how god speaks thru you and I have so many friends that would be honored to receive your book as well… I can’t thank you enough by inspiring me with your word…
Starbuck’s hot chocolate, Godiva’s chocolates and a really good book to read, and copies to share. What woman wouldn’t love that for this Christmas season.
Our family tradition is that when you reach the age of 16 your Christmas present is a donation to the charity of your choice. This is intended to keep the focus off of caring about yourself and your wants,and focusing on other’s needs.
I’m looking forward to reading A COnfident Heart, whether a free copy or a purchased one.
I really do enjoy starting new traditions that involve more so the “Christ”mas side of Christmas and I had heard on a radio station that this family had been getting their children only three gifts a piece (the same amount that Jesus got on his first birthday) for their children every year since they were born . I found that to be an awesome way for our kids and us to remember why we celebrate Christmas. I’m excited to take on that new tradition as our own and excited that I won’t be running around the stores as much! I feel like I will actually get to experience the grace that you spoke about instead of just saying ” that’s nice hope it happens for me too”… Thanks Renee! 🙂 merry Christmas to you as well!
I’m giving myself grace by not stressing about little things. I’m going to enjoy my Christmas and keep in mind the real reason for the season. I’m going to relax and just be at ease for a change.
I will give myself grace by trying not to stress about thinking that everything should be “perfect”. I have not put out as many decorations this year as I usually do. I received much appreciated help from my daughter & daughter-in-law in decorating the Christmas tree. I will also graciously accept help from them in bringing food to our family dinner. I will also try to slow down and spend more time on my devotionals. I will email this to my daughter and daughter-in-laws. Merry Christmas to everyone!