Margaret McSweeney's Blog, page 53

The Best Christmas Deal

The Christmas season is when a good portion of the American public start thinking about presents and deals. They want to see how little they can pay for that big screen TV. What’s the sale price for that necklace, pair of shoes or video game. What time does the store open Thanksgiving evening?  How early do they need to eat Thanksgiving dinner so they can leave and get as close to the front of the line as possible?

The focus is on the “deals and steals” and being one of the select few to snag one. I say they, but there have been a few times I’ve been part of “they”.

They, we, in those moments of anticipation and exhilaration forget about the best deal of all. A tiny baby boy was born in a smelly manager to a mom and dad unsure of what the future held. There was no Black Friday flier to alert them to the happenings of the wee hours of the morning. No instead they had the face of a baby boy they hadn’t planned for, but who planned for them, for us. The Christ child, Jesus, had come down from heaven to begin a transaction that would conclude thirty-three years later. That purchase would save us all, can still save, if we just believe. This baby traded, not a video game, but heaven to come to earth because of God’s love for us. But more than that, his birth showcased God’s overwhelming mercy for all mankind, not just a select few.

So as we began to celebrate Jesus’ birthday, Christmas, instead of focusing on deals, bargains and all the other trappings, let us instead follow this advice: “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Phillipians 4:8). Jesus fulfills every one of those criteria. Think on Him.

The Taming of Me | Leslie Gould

I’ve never been a girlie girl. And I never intended to write romance. In fact, back when I was in my early 20s and people would ask what I wanted to do when I grew up I’d answer, “Write novels.”

“Romances!?” was the usual snide response.

Insulted, I’d explain, “No. Literary fiction.” The people quizzing me were snobs. And so was I—an ignorant one at that.

My first three novels were considered literary fiction. They earned nice reviews, but so-so sales. When my agent asked if I’d be interested in co-authoring Amish novels with Mindy Starns Clark, I jumped at the chance. I had a story that fit the Plain culture perfectly, plus it explored two of my favorite topics: midwifery and adoption. The result was The Amish Midwife, which hit the #1 bestseller spot on both the CBA and the ECPA lists, plus it won a Christy Award last July. Mindy and I are now working on our fourth book in that series.

Recently, I came up with an Amish series of my own, The Courtships of Lancaster County. The novels are inspired by Shakespeare’s plays, and the first is Courting Cate, based on “The Taming of the Shrew.” Although Shakespeare’s story is a farce, it’s also a love story—and so is mine.

As I wrote Courting Cate, my husband was commanding a field hospital in Afghanistan. During that time we celebrated twenty-eight years of marriage, and I contemplated turning fifty. What I realized, as I Skyped with my hubby every chance I could and checked my emails in the middle of the night to see if he was okay, was how important romance actually is.

I know, I know. This is something most women know long before they’re fifty.

But for me, it took growing older and weathering difficult times to realize how valuable the escape of a good story with a happy ending really is. Life is hard. We need stories of hope and redemption. We need to celebrate love and romance. Writing Courting Cate connected me in a deeper way to my husband. Acknowledging the importance of love and romance as part of the gift of marriage has connected me in a deeper way to God’s plan too.

I poured nearly three decades of love for my sweet husband into writing Courting Cate. I think it paid off—it’s definitely a romance. And it was absolutely as satisfying for me to write as my earlier literary novels.

Leslie Gould is the co-author, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 bestselling The Amish Midwife and The Amish Nanny. She is also the author of numerous novels, including Garden of Dreams, Beyond the Blue (winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice for Best Inspirational Novel, 2006), and Scrap Everything. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She resides with her husband and four children in Portland, Oregon. Learn more at www.lesliegould.com.

12 Pearls of Christmas | Day 5 – Will They Know What It Cost? by Glynnis Whitwer

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series !

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items (books, a gift pack, music CDs) from the contributors! Enter now on Facebook or at the Pearl Girls blog. The winner will announced on January 2, 2013 at the Pearl Girls blog.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Mother of Pearl, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

Will They Know What it Cost?

By Glynnis Whitwer

My daughter Cathrine went on a field trip to the Grand Canyon when she was in fourth grade. As I picked her up upon her return, she couldn’t wait to show me an adorable little stuffed brown bear she’d bought as a gift. She started to say that it was for everyone—meaning her three brothers and sister—but then her words got jumbled. Tears welled in her eyes as she tried to explain how she ran out of money when trying to buy gifts. Her distress was obvious.

To understand fully, it might help to know that Cathrine was born in Africa and experienced deprivation of every sort for the first eleven years of her life. At thirteen years old, she was only in fourth grade. And although she has made remarkable gains, even now she struggles with communication and math—especially money.

Later that night I finally understood what Cathrine was trying to tell me about the bear. She had taken twenty dollars of her own money to buy herself a souvenir. But before buying herself something, she wanted to buy some small gifts. So she started with two of her teachers and bought them each a small ring with the first initial of their last names. I looked at the price on the rings and realized each was $3.99. Times that by two, add tax, and Cathrine would have been left with eleven dollars for other gifts and herself.

I imagine she stood at the gift store counter bewildered by what she had just done. She was probably embarrassed to ask any of her classmates for help. And maybe the teacher wasn’t around. There she stood with just over half of her money, and three brothers and a sister left to buy for. She decided to get a group gift, and that’s where the bear came in.

Standing in our kitchen, looking at the three items she purchased, I smiled brightly and told her everyone was going to love their gifts and that she’d made wonderful purchases. She smiled back, and the night ended well.

The next morning as she wrapped up the little rings, I kept thinking about those two teachers who were going to receive a gift that day. All they would see is a little silver ring. I knew they would be very loving and appreciative. But would they truly understand the sacrifice Cathrine made?

Would they understand their gifts cost Cathrine half of what she had? Would they ever know the frustration and worry Cathrine felt as she realized she didn’t have enough to buy her family any gifts? Would they treasure those little rings, or would they put them in a drawer with gifts from other students throughout the year?

As I pondered these thoughts, I considered a gift I was given two thousand years ago: Jesus. God sent His Son into the world as a baby, knowing He would die on a cross for me. The cost of this gift staggers me.

As I decorate my tree and shop for my family, I’m reminded of what my freedom cost my Heavenly Father. Do I truly understand the sacrifice of that gift? Do I understand the anguish God the Father must have felt sending His Son? Do I treasure this gift, or do I take it for granted?

Christmas is a time for celebration. But it’s also a time to remember God’s sacrifice. For it is in understanding the cost, that we fully appreciate the gift.

***

Glynnis Whitwer is an executive director with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She is one of the writers of Encouragement for Today, the Proverbs 31 e-mail devotions, with over 500,000 daily readers. Her newest book, I Used to be So Organized, was released last fall. Glynnis, her husband Tod, and their five children live in Glendale, Arizona. Visit www.GlynnisWhitwer.com for more information.

Dear New Mama

Dear New Mama,

I know how you are feeling today. Being a mom is like an emotional smoothie, we feel tired and blessed, sleep-deprived and happy.

I am not that far ahead of you in the mothering journey, in fact, I am in the midst of it! I don’t have the minivan yet, I just have a stroller.

But having one baby has wrecked my life in the best way possible.

Most moms I talk to seem to forget the harsh realities of the early days, but I know, I am living in them. Even as I write this, one hand is typing; the other is holding my son while he feeds! Although only a few months into this mothering gig, I am determined to learn as I go, and all the while encourage other new mommies along the way. I promise I won’t tell you how to do it, but simply share what I’ve learned in between the late night feedings and the unexplainable fussy baby.

I am quite sure I have so much more to learn, as this is the only the beginning, but after 2 months of being baptized into mommyhood here are few things I want to pass on to you…

1. Drink tea. What I mean is- learn to take a break. Whatever that may be for you- find it! Whether it’s drinking tea, grabbing a granola bar, or reading a few pages in a book. Just five minutes of breathing space can work wonders! Which leads me to number 2…

2. Learn the art of taking sacred showers. Who knew that hot steamy water could be so spiritual! As brief as they may be, a shower gives you a moment of quiet, new perspective, and simply washes away the difficulties of the day and helps you start afresh. Yes, all that in only five minutes too!

3. Remember this: the bible and breastfeeding go nicely together. Keep it near you when you sit down to feed babe. The truth is you are both desperately hungry- you for God and babe for milk!

4. Stay expectant like you were when you were pregnant. Realize the adventure is only beginning. I know some days it feels like you will never have a life again, but…God still wants to birth in you new dreams and desires as a mommy. I love this passage in Romans, “The resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, ‘What’s next, Papa?’”

5. Love your babies cry. A funny thought, huh? It can be difficult, but try and smile, even laugh when he cries. Don’t take on his frustrations. It’s tempting to start crying when they cry– I know because several times my husband came home to two babies!

6. Plan your first date night within the first 6 weeks! It is a miracle what just 2 hours of time with your husband ALONE can do for this new season in your marriage! Get in the date night habit quickly.

7. Take loads of pictures! It helps you to remember to savor every moment, and realize this season will soon pass and you will miss it!

8. Kiss your baby way too much! We all know late night feedings can be torturous, but a simple kiss in that little forehead, readjusts my attitude instantly.

9. Go. To. Bed. Do yourself, the baby, and your husband a favor-take a nap! Clear your mind and refresh your spirit. Coming from a non-napper, I never knew naps could be so healing. You will wake up ready to smooch your hubby and cuddle with baby!

10. H.A.L.T. I learned this from a friend the other day. Before you speak HALT– are you hungry, angry, lonely, or tired? Chances are every new mom falls under at least one, if not all of these categories! Refer to number 9, and then, and only then, open your mouth. Oh how I regret the things I’ve said and done over the past couple months simply because I had an empty stomach, was sleep deprived, frustrated from a long day, and being cooped up alone in the house with a screaming newborn.

11. Girl Time! With mommies and non-mommies. It doesn’t matter if it’s a girls’ movie night or an afternoon coffee, bring the babe along if you have too, and just laugh, chat, and soak in some good girl time. It’s healthy to get out of mommy world for a bit and function like a normal person☺

12. Get out of the house! Put the baby in the stroller and get some fresh air. For me this is as good as or better than a cup of coffee! Blood pumping through my veins, and sunshine on my face, brings happiness to my soul. Starting small will help you get in a routine.

12 Pearls of Christmas | Day 4 – A Mistletoe Medley by Margaret McSweeney

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series !

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items (books, a gift pack, music CDs) from the contributors! Enter now on Facebook or at the Pearl Girls blog. The winner will announced on January 2, 2013 at the Pearl Girls blog.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Mother of Pearl, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

A Mistletoe Medley

By Margaret McSweeney

“You have breast cancer.” Those four words my doctor said the week of Mother’s Day 2012 have forever changed my life. Mere months after my fiftieth birthday, I encountered this unexpected “lump in the road” and ventured through a major detour after reaching my half-century mark.

Through this “grit,” God has covered me with His amazing grace! At the same time of my diagnosis, two books released: Mother of Pearl: Luminous Lessons and Iridescent Faith along with Aftermath: Growing in Grace Through Grief. During this Christmas season, I rejoice that my cancer was caught and treated at an early stage. After six weeks of “daily radiance” (AKA radiation therapy), I started my daily dose of Tamoxifen to help battle any potential cells that might cause a recurrence. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

While writing Aftermath and sharing my journey of grief as an adult orphan, I experienced several “hugs from heaven” as I discovered family letters, journals, and even a video in which my mother shares her faith. This is a mistletoe medley from my mother’s heart:

Each Christmas season my father used to go down into the woods behind our home and bring us back some mistletoe. It was a present that my sister and I loved. We’d tie it with bright ribbons and would hang it over several doorways in the house.

It was always fun of course for a Christmas party, but it came to mean more than that to us. It seemed to become a symbol of the meaning of Christmas: Love, God’s love for the world that prompted Him to send Christ to become our Savior. Somehow it seemed to enhance our love for each other as a family. And we found ourselves stepping under the mistletoe to give someone a hug or to plant a kiss on someone’s cheek and say, “I love you.”

I thought of these mistletoe Christmases during my mother’s losing battle with cancer. I penned my thoughts like this:

Illness, you ugly parasite!

Like mistletoe, you’ve entrenched yourself upon my body!

As you bloom and grow, you feed upon my strength.

I shall fight!

Battalions stand by to help!

My doctor’s scalpel will sever you.

Modern medicine will shrivel you.

You shall fall to the ground,

And I shall stand again strong and well.

But what if I cannot conquer you?

If you are with me still

As my constant, inevitable companion,

I pray that God will help me

Learn to live with you in peace

And somehow discover how you, my enemy—

Like mistletoe at Christmas—

Can serve some useful purpose.

There are times when we cannot rid our lives of things that hurt such as pain or grief, loss, illness, sorrow. Sometimes they’re with us as our inevitable companions and we must learn to make peace with them.

Those are the times when we can ask God through Christ to help us transform the loneliness, the pain, the grief, the loss-symbolically into something that can serve a useful purpose in our lives.

May you feel an extra “hug from heaven” this Christmas season from the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. God is present, and He knows your name!

*Text quoted from Aftermath (New Hope, 2012) by Margaret McSweeney, pp 114-115

***

Margaret McSweeny is a well-published author and freelance writer for the 411 Voices and the Daily Herald, the largest suburban Chicago newspaper. She is the author of Aftermath, A Mother’s Heart Knows and Go Back and Be Happy. She is also the founder of Pearl Girls™ and the general editor of the Pearl Girls™ books; Mother of Pearl and Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace. All proceeds from the sales of the Pearl Girls™ books go to charity. For the past five years, she has served on the board of directors for WINGS, an organization that helps abused women and their children get a new start in life. Margaret would love to meet you too. Follow her on twitter or friend her on facebook. You can also keep up with Margaret atKitchen Chat or the Pearl Girls blog. Margaret lives with her husband and two daughters in the Chicago suburbs.

12 Pearls of Christmas | Day 3 – Who is Mr. Carbunkle? by Debora M. Coty

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series !

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items (books, a gift pack, music CDs) from the contributors! Enter now on Facebook or at the Pearl Girls blog. The winner will announced on January 2, 2013 at the Pearl Girls blog.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Mother of Pearl, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

Who is Mr. Carbunkle?

By: Debora M. Coty

In a dream this November, I was playing Clue (remember that board game from your childhood?) with three friendly strangers. We were each moving our pieces from room to room in the mysterious mansion trying to figure out who-done-it.

So far we knew it wasn’t Miss Scarlet in the parlor with a candlestick . . . or Colonel Mustard in the drawing room with a wrench.

With a voice bursting with sudden enlightenment, the player to my right announced, “Why, it’s Mr. Carbunkle!*”

My other two opponents and I looked at one another in bewilderment. Everyone knew there was no such character in this game.

It seemed my lot to state the obvious. “Who is Mr. Carbunkle?”

The words continued to ring in my head as I sat straight up in bed. I must have spoken the question aloud to jerk me awake so.

Who is Mr. Carbunkle?

And then I knew. I knew just as surely as if the Almighty had sent me an e-mail titled, “Hey, Deb, here’s your answer.”

I had been praying for several weeks about how Papa God would like me to use my writing tithe this year. It’s been my custom, for the nine years I’ve written professionally, to give away each December (anonymously, if possible) ten percent of that year’s income from my writing ministry to someone the Lord designates.

The sum isn’t really all that much in the grand scheme of things (contrary to popular belief, Christian writers don’t get rich), but it’s enough to bless somebody in their celebration of Christ’s birth with the knowledge that their Heavenly Father knows about their needs . . . and cares.

I thought about the only Mr. Carbunkle I knew—the one who attends our church, a quiet, unassuming man who’d been out of work for more than a year. I confess that I knew about his plight but hadn’t really given it much thought—or prayer—lately. Although he never complained, I knew his family must be struggling.

So Mr. Carbunkle it is.

You know, there are lots of Mr. Carbunkles out there who would be blessed mightily by a love-gift from you this Christmas. It doesn’t have to be money; it could be help with yard work, or home repairs, or a loaf of banana bread, or best of all, a gift of your time. Thirty minutes of your undivided attention for a lonely soul who needs to know Papa God knows his or her needs … and cares.

Who is your Mr. Carbunkle?

Don’t have a Clue? I know someone who does. Just ask Him.

*Name changed for privacy

***

Debora Coty is an occupational therapist, a piano teacher, and a freelance writer. She’s also involved in the children’s ministry at her church and is an avid tennis player. Debora began writing to fill the void when her last child left for college, and it has since become a passion. Debora has a real knack for getting across sound biblical concepts with a refreshing lightheartedness as attested in her monthly newspaper column entitled “Grace Notes: God’s Grace for Everyday Living.” Look for Fear, Faith and a Fist Full of Chocolate in February of 2013.

12 Pearls of Christmas | Day 2 – An Inexpensive New Christmas Tradition by Christy Fitzwater

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series !

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items (books, a gift pack, music CDs) from the contributors! Enter now on Facebook or at the Pearl Girls blog. The winner will announced on January 2, 2013 at the Pearl Girls blog.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Mother of Pearl, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

An Inexpensive New Christmas Tradition

By: Christy Fitzwater

I was invited to play some Christmas carols on the piano for a senior-adult luncheon, but before I got up to play they had a time for the seniors to share what they remembered as their favorite Christmas gifts.

There was talk of new bicycles, a pony, and a new dress.

Then one elderly man took the microphone and said, “An orange.” When he was young, an orange was a rare treat. As he spoke, he got choked up and had to stop talking to collect himself. He explained that his Sunday School was giving an orange for anyone who memorized a Bible verse. He tearfully described earning that delicious orange and slowly savoring every bite. When he was done eating the orange, he put the peel on the furnace so it would dry, and then he chewed on the peel.

He said with conviction, “We just don’t know how rich we are in this country.”

Christmas is usually the time when I feel broke. I tuck away money for gifts all year long, but money doesn’t go very far these days. My husband and I love to spoil our kids and try to scheme how to get them a big-ticket item. We’ve enjoyed the Christmas mornings when we’ve been able to enjoy watching our kids open such gifts as an electric guitar or an iPad.

I stopped to imagine how our whole family would feel if, on Christmas morning, the only gift under the tree was a small basket cradling an orange for each of us. I think we would feel disappointment and great loss. What would we do the rest of the morning if not consumed by opening gift after gift? Where would the focus be?

Our years of wealth make thankfulness for an orange seem ludicrous.

As I processed this man’s story, I decided what we lack at Christmas isn’t money to buy nice gifts—it’s gratitude to relish the simple treasures we enjoy every day.

This Christmas I am going to begin a new tradition for my family, and I would invite your family to do the same. I am going to place a small basket with four oranges under the tree, along with a printed copy of the man’s story of the orange. We’re going to pause at some point in the morning and each hold an orange while we read the story. And then we’re going to hold those oranges up to our noses and breathe in the fragrance God built into it, peel it slowly, and enjoy each juicy bite. And while we eat it, we’ll each speak thankfulness to the Lord for the grace He has poured into our lives.

In that moment, we’ll know how rich we are.

***

Christy Fitzwater is a writer and pastor’s wife living in Kalispell, Montana. She is the mother of a daughter in college and a high-school boy. Read her personal blog at christyfitzwater.com.

Tithing to Pearls

Everyone needs a little encouragement. A kind word here and there is lovely but it’s even better to put your money where your mouth is. I’ll admit, I am guilty of giving platitudes with little thought behind them to someone in need. I’ll be praying for you. You are doing a great job. I believe in you. These are terrific sentiments and certainly well worth saying. But sometimes I feel in my heart the need to go further. I want to do something tangible.

One of the disciplines of a spiritual life is to tithe your earnings. That is to give the first fruits (or ten percent of the money you make) to worthy causes. Usually that means writing a check to the church you attend or a national charity you support. Our family has a giving budget in place. But when I got my little part time job at a yarn shop I decided to do something more with my ten percent. I wanted to encourage women with financial help. I listened for opportunities to make a difference.

A dear friend told me about how her daughter wanted to go on the youth group mission trip to Mexico. I got excited when I realized I could help. It would take six months for her to save up for the trip. I wrote her a note asking if I could support her goal. I explained I wanted to give her a little money every month. She agreed. It was a blessing to us both. I sent her a note of encouragement along with each check. And after the trip was paid for I kept my ears open for other women in need.

Opportunity came again when one of the young women in my knit circle decided to go back to night school and become an EMT. I was inspired by her determination. It would take a lot of work for her to juggle her current job and finances. I wanted to encourage her new life path so I give her my tithe money for the entire school year. It’s been wonderful to watch her grow.

I am prayerful about how I find the women I support. I take this support as more then just money toward their goal. When I send the bi-monthly check it gives me the opportunity to encourage them with notes or verses to help them along the way.

Maybe this is a discipline you’d like to consider. The new year is the perfect time to put it into practice. Is there a pearl you’d like to encourage? A teen who needs help with school finances. Or maybe an older friend who needs help with groceries or utility bills. If you keep your ears open you are sure to find plenty of places to put the first fruits of your paycheck.

12 Pearls of Christmas | Day 1 – God with Us . . . And Us with Him by Susan May Warren

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series !

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items (books, a gift pack, music CDs) from the contributors! Enter now on Facebook or at the Pearl Girls blog. The winner will announced on January 2, 2013 at the Pearl Girls blog.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Mother of Pearl, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

God with Us . . . And Us with Him

By: Susan May Warren

Every year over labor day weekend, the Warren family has a MWE. Mandatory Warren Event. It’s a call to come home and enjoy the long weekend with our favorite people. Since my children have left for college, I relish every second of this weekend—the laughter in the kitchen, the long conversations in the family room, the frenzy of backyard football, the quietness of the morning as we drink coffee on the deck and watch the sunrise. I cherish these people, and when they are with me, I drink in their presence.

I’ve been reading the prophecies about Christ this season and came across Isaiah 7:14, Therefore the Lord himself will give you[ a sign: The virginwill conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

I am struck by the word Immanuel. God with us. The closest I get to comprehending this is reading about how Jesus’ loved his disciples. Surely they relished the time with him more profoundly after his resurrection, knowing he would soon leave.

Thankfully, he didn’t leave them for long and sent His Holy Spirit. God . . . still with them.

As I consider the magnitude of this God who would come to earth, who would abide with the disciples, and then with me, I have to wonder not only do I relish God’s presence in my life, but does God relish time with me? Am I committed to embracing His entrance into my life? Am I even making the effort to see Him?

Imagine that during our MWE weekend, I ignored my children, and they, me? I would lose the joy of their presence.

It is not surprising to me that the Jewish people did not recognize their Savior. After all, who would guess that the Almighty might package himself as a baby and appear among them, fragile and dependent? But today, we know the story, we know the miracles, we know the truth, and God invites us into an abundant relationship, one that He wishes to relish, one that will change us. A relationship that will slake our thirsts and satisfy our hungers. One that reminds us that we are never alone.

Because every day we are a mandatory event to our Immanuel.

This season, look for the ways that God is your Immanuel, with you, every day.

***

Susan May Warren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 40 novels. With over 750,000 books in print, her stories of family, romance and adventure have earned her acclaim and reader fans from around the world. Visit her website for upcoming books and sneak peeks!

Planting Seeds

Christmastime. I didn’t think it would ever get here, and now it is flying by way too fast. I had been thinking about the season since the beginning of November. With my children grown and out of the house, Christmas has a little bit of a different intensity. Everyone kind of has their own lives now. I ponder what it must be like to be far away from home during this time like it is for my son in the military. I remember the college years of Christmas, the being young and married years, and then the growing family years as each of my children are experiencing now in different ways. And then there are the grandkids. What can I do to pull them into the magic and spirit of Christmas in a God honoring way without adding more hoopla to the already over packed Season?

On Thanksgiving Day I pulled out the Christmas boxes of ornaments, trees, and manger figurines. I could not wait any longer. What I find to be most special at this time is our Jesus tree. It is a lighted tree full of reminders of why we have this season in the first place. There are red velvety glass balls with the names of Jesus on them such as Truth, Emmanuel, and Savior. There are scripture prophecy ornaments of the coming Christ with the fulfilled scripture on the reverse side. There is a crown of thorns. There are little porcelain figures like Moses, Ruth, and David. There are brightly painted delicate glass ornaments like that of a boy holding five loaves and two fishes and a wise man who is frozen in time seeking for the King. Each ornament tells a story of the character or faithfulness of God and points us to our wonderful, merciful Savior. Every year I like to add another picture to the story. This year it was an apple– a bright, sparkly red apple. And it was this ornament that caught my 3 year old granddaughter’s eye. As she asks about the “whys” of each ornament, it was the red piece of fruit that enthralled her the most. I think I told the story (of Adam and Eve and how they made God sad because He told them not to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and they chose to disobey Him and picked it anyway, thus the separation from God and a need for a Savior) more than a dozen times. But what really blessed my heart was when I heard she had told the whole story to her daddy as they were riding in the car. Oh, to be able to plant spiritual seeds that one day sprout and grow. I love Christmastime. And I love keeping the focus on what really matters most in this magical time of year