We are one week away from Christmas. When did that happen? I’m sure you’re busy with last-minute Christmas errands, parties, and gifts left to buy. For me, the week before Christmas usually is as organized as a middle school food fight!!😂 I would find lists on stickies everywhere. And the thoughts of sugarplums are not just running through my head, but running like a buffalo stampede! All the typical “mom” thoughts like…
Did I remember everyone’s gifts?
Do I have enough tape? (I never have tape)
Who is in charge of dinner reservations? (we will be at Disney this year)
Locating a church and most of all…
How will we find everyone’s shoes???
I don’t know about you, but honestly, the holidays seem to turn into a survival movie and we are the ones trying to get on that last boat out! I used to be so good at this, but… well, I’m tired!!😂 Anyone on my team?😉 These days, when decorations fall off the tree, they just lay there. Actually, half the ornaments are still on the table next to the tree! Choosing to do the holidays with one eye shut has given me a different perspective…. And definitely less stress because I’ve come to realize…
It’s ok…😂
Remember last week's message when I committed to writing down the times I felt the Spirit? Well, now I’m going to add to it. I’m also writing down when I felt overwhelmed and I remembered (thank goodness) that life is NOT meant to be easy. Somewhere, we came to believe we should be strong enough to handle or fix things ourselves. We can feel a need to be perfect before we come to Him for help. This frame of mind is so not correct nor productive. I know that because I have had to learn this the hard way! Now, I know that He is here for ALL of it…He signed up for bumps and bruises and, yes, even all the way to stitches…😂😂😂
Photo Credit: Dan Savoie
Right now, I’m still on tour. It’s so busy, and of course, I’m having a wonderful time!!☺️ But with so many moving targets on this tour, I’m sure you can understand the margin of error is pretty thin to nil. Each day as we move on to a new city, we want to get it right. To do this, I try to remove all distractions (well, except my silly TikTok videos😂), so I rarely take calls that aren’t from my family. But Thursday night, I got one of those “you up?” messages from a friend. With the holidays roaring along, she said she made a pretty big mistake in her business and needed someone to remind her that stuff happens. When I couldn’t console her, she stopped and said, “Wait, only the Savior can lift this awful feeling from me… I’ll call you back; I need to pray.” Later she texted back and said she was finally feeling the Christ-like peace she was looking for. She made a mistake that caused others a lot of worry and difficulties which was the worst feeling ever. But, after that immediate prayer, she found out her clients had found a solution and sent her the nicest text. She said it felt like pure grace. They said, “We know who you are, and we’ve got your back….it’s Christmas, and things happen; just breathe.” That statement from people who could have chosen to be angry made my friend’s Christmas! Thus, my topic today!
Being the recipient of forgiveness is the greatest feeling of relief there is! And I believe the Lord loves to forgive us because he knows how wonderful it feels. My friend knew the burden that was lifted came directly from the Savior. He’s the only one who can touch so many hearts at the same time. His peace is unlike any other because It covers everything! All we have to do is ask. And then, just like that, He gives it to those who choose to believe, love, and remember Him! That is the miracle of forgiveness.
He was sent here to do this for us. Our Father doesn’t want us to suffer, but He knew we would sometimes make colossal mistakes. We are human, and humans are prone to messing things up!🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️. It’s sometimes what we do best.😳😂 That’s why our Father provided the Savior. He was sent here to help us daily get back on track. So basically, the Father is saying,
“Whatever you need…please just ask.”
How do I know this? Because He has done it for me throughout my life! I am so grateful I have given my heart and, yes, my sorrow and pain to Jesus Christ. He knows how to bring healing and how to provide those needed miracles when we just can’t do it anymore. Only He knows how because He chose to descend below ALL things for us. He knows how to heal us, and He chooses to do it because He loves His Father that much. We are His Fathers’ greatest joy, so the Savior does everything He can to help us. I may break His heart as I struggle from time to time, but I know He will never break mine!
As I finish up my study of the Old Testament this week, there is a consistent message from our God throughout it… He says that it doesn’t matter what you’ve done, how you may have messed up, or even how far you’ve gotten off the path, Father in Heaven’s continual invitation is… Come back … I’m here…I love you!!!
I love this quote:
“The Savior loves to restore what you cannot restore; He loves to heal wounds you cannot heal; He loves to fix what has been irreparably broken; He compensates for any unfairness inflicted on you; and He loves to permanently mend even shattered hearts.”
- Dale G. Renlund
The gift I want to give the Savior this season is simple, to have more faith. The faith to lean on him,
And let Him fix things, especially those we cannot fix. I am going to strive harder to remember Him in everything I do and let Him do what Heavenly Father sent Him here to do for ALL of us—take my burdens so that I can feel the peace that only He can give.
And what a gift that He gives!
#Sundaymessage