Yesterday we welcomed joy. Today, we choose to notice it, remember it, and hold on to it.
Reflection
Joy often arrives in small, unexpected ways — and sometimes in the tiniest of places.
January invites us to do something new. To experience joy in new ways. Then, it calls us to hold on to that joy. To carry it forward.
So, I asked my husband to take me on a date to the NC Museum of Art to see the Book of Esther exhibit. And so we went.
Then, the unexpected happened.
Joy.
In the tiniest of places.
There, tucked against the back wall, stood a glass case. Two small “metal objects” that seemed to be the “lock” for a prayer book, each intricately designed. And then a tiny cover (that once covered a prayer book) to the right. Perhaps made of pearl or stone. It had a pinkish hue. Mind you, these dated back to the 1600s. So, that fact alone left me in awe.
The cover looked no bigger than two inches by three inches. The carving alone captured my attention. I couldn’t make out the whole story, but it clearly held one. I was disappointed afterwards that I hadn’t taken a picture of it. But here is where the joy comes into play. I have the memory of that prayer book cover. And I can still feel the joy.
Today, we hold on to that kind of joy — the kind that whispers, “I’m here. Don’t rush past me. Stop. Take a peek. Maybe you’ll enjoy what you see.”
Prayer
God, help us notice the joy that we tuck into our pockets. A museum stub. A tissue with tears of joy. A few coins left from the change of a cup of coffee shared with a loved one. Teach us to treasure these pockets of joy. Amen.
Photo Credit: Personal Photo takenat the NC Museum of Art
We will see joy in the tiniest of places. We will welcome it in all its forms — simple, sparkly, or profoundly touching the soul.
Reflection
Joy doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it whispers- in nature, at work, in our homes.
January invites us to notice the joy tucked into everyday moments- a walk in the park, sharing a cup of coffee with a colleague, holding hands with a partner, a kind word from a child, or a nap in the middle of the day.
Welcoming joy means making space to receive it. No expectations. Just pure delight.
Prayer
God, Open our hearts to joy that heals and restores. Help us notice the small gifts You scatter throughout our days. A smile from a stranger. A door held open. A wave hello. As we prepare to receive these gifts, help us to give ours more abundantly. Amen
We welcome clarity that brings peace, direction, and calm to our spirit. We welcome the calm. We tell anxiety “To go away.”
Reflection
Clarity typically evolves slowly. Sometimes we don’t even notice when it has arrived.
We find it little by little. In a pause. In a feeling. Or through someone’s words, looks, or actions.
Something inside of us “feels right.” Like an absolute.
January gives us permission– to slow down, to listen, to find clarity, to welcome clarity.
And to trust God to reveal what we need to know, and when.
That is truly a gift.
Prayer
God, clear the fog that often lingers in our minds. Help us see what matters most. Let us release what doesn’t. Let Your wisdom guide us through the new year with gentleness and grace.
We welcome the light that finds us, especially when we’re in the darkness. We will walk toward the light and embrace it.
Reflection
The morning light slips through the open space of the curtain. It slowly brightens the room, casting a soft glow as if to say, “Good morning, loved one – time to get up.”
January invites us to notice the light– the light that enters through the windowsill, the light that shines on our desk, the light that guides us down the road.
Let the light bring us warmth and gentle encouragement. Let the light bring us new insight. New perspectives.
Welcoming the light is less about the brightness and more about what the light points to.
Let the light point us to hope.
Prayer
God, let Your light touch the places in us that feel dim or weary. Help us notice the gentle ways You brighten our path. Teach us to welcome every sliver of light as a reminder that You are near. Amen
We will be optimistic about the future. We welcome the new year with open arms and an open heart.
Reflection
January doesn’t ask us to reinvent ourselves. It simply invites us to open the door a little wider — to possibility, to clarity, to grace.
Welcoming encourages softness. It’s the quiet “yes” we whisper to God as we step into a new season.
Prayer
God, help us welcome what is good, what is needed, and what is true. Let our hearts open to the gifts You place before us. Help us to be grateful for what we have. Teach usto greet this year with trust. Trusting that you walk with us each and every day. Amen
On the Sabbath- we are reminded that we are not human doings, but human beings.
Rob Bell
Most people would agree that rest and rejuvenation are necessary for self-care. We need to be our best so we can take care of ourselves and others. This makes sense. Do you agree?
Then, we can stretch this out to theorize that spending time in nature allows us to nourish our souls so we can rest in creation. Today, we continue the theme of rest, specifically, Sabbath rest.
Rest on the Seventh Day
In the Story of Creation, we learn that God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in between. God created one day each week solely to rest. God made a point of distinguishing one day from all the others. This speaks volumes. God provided the seventh day to rest. To give us permission to take a break from everyday life. In other words, to stop and smell the roses.
Photo Credit: Arkansas Rose by Ruth Walton, iPhone
Action: Set aside one day a week to unplug from work and technology.
Through rest, we can sense God’s love and connection. A mind, body, and soul connection.
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. – Exodus 20:8-11
Keep the Sabbath Holy
In this scripture, God commands us to keep the Sabbath day holy. What does holy mean? On www.myjewishlearning.com, “Holiness is imparted and maintained through ritual, prayer, formal declaration, and the avoidance of specific “abominations.”” In Britt Mooney’s What Does it Really Mean to be Holy, on chrisitanity.com, “Holy refers to something or someone set apart or consecrated for a specific purpose.”
Holy appears throughout the Bible to describe God’s nature, attributes, actions, and expectations of us.
If we believe that God is holy and is set apart from worldly things, we accept that God is the source of truth and love. These earthly things are temporary. They get in the way of our relationship to nature and to God. The solitude of nature heals us from the brokenness of ourselves and the world.
Sabbath, What is the Big Deal?
This sacred time holds profound historical and spiritual significance, particularly, yet not limited, to Judaism. In Judaism, it is a sign of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. It symbolizes freedom and divine protection to the Israelites by God.
Jewish people all over the world observe the Sabbath. It begins at sundown on Fridays with lighting candles, reciting blessings, and sharing a meal. It concludes at sundown the following evening. This practice of the Sabbath has unified the Jewish people into who they are today.
Reflect on the Present
The Sabbath allows us to rest, reflect, and renew—a sort of balance to all the craziness we experience otherwise. Observing that one day of the week is different from the rest helps us honor time itself. The mundane is set aside for the sacred.
How do you currently spend your weekends? What activities help you feel rested and renewed? How can you create a Sabbath-like rest in your weekly routine?
Sabbath also fosters a sense of community and family bonding. In Kendra Cherry, MSEd’s recent article How to Increase Your Sense of Belonging in VeryWell, she writes, “Our need to belong is what drives us to seek out stable, long-lasting relationships with other people.”
Action: Set aside time each week to spend with family. Create a better sense of belonging by calling and texting family on a regular basis.
The Sabbath’s blend of historical roots and spiritual depth makes it a cornerstone of Jewish life. It offers a weekly reminder of faith, freedom, and community. Honoring the Sabbath connects you to God, self, family, and community. In Sabbath rest, we can unplug technology and focus on what truly matters. What type of Sabbath rest are you seeking?
I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.
George Washington Carver
Our last post discussed the imperative need to rest and recharge. Today, we will explore the concept of finding rest in nature.
Camping as a Kid
When I was a kid, my family went camping every summer. It was something my dad looked forward to each year. Me, not so much. But, when you are a kid, you learn to grin and bear it.
My dad worked in an environment where noise prevented him from hearing others speak. The air was filled with dust, metal shavings, and oil substances. Gears churned within the walls, and motors whistled, so it was no wonder he wanted to escape to the woods.It was his happy place.
Image Source: publicdomainpictures dot net
As much as I didn’t like camping, I remember nature’s sounds: the potatoes wrapped in foil crackling in the fire, the crickets chirping, and the owls hooting at night. And then the stars. I remember looking up at the vast sky and seeing millions of stars I had never seen before—or perhaps didn’t choose to stop and appreciate at home. One thing I learned while camping was the closeness I felt to God. I saw God everywhere.
Reflect on Your Past
To better understand your relationship with nature, consider the following:
Did your childhood teach you how to connect with nature? Were you able to explore the outdoors on your own or in groups? How did your parents feel about nature?
Action: Spend a few minutes reflecting on your past experiences with nature. Write down one memorable experience and how it made you feel. Use this reflection to connect with your current relationship with the outdoors.
The Gift of Creation
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
Genesis 2:2-3
Nature reflects God’s beauty and provides a sanctuary for rest. Signs of nature are everywhere, from the tiny tadpoles near a stream to the crabs crawling on a beach. If you choose to notice.
Action:Promise yourself to spend time outdoors. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a hike, or simply sitting on your patio, go be in nature. Quiet yourself as you hear the birds and experience the nature around you. Start with short, mindful moments of rest. Rest for your mental and physical well-being. Gradually increase your time spent outdoors.
Connecting with nature opens up the opportunity to connect with Spirit, which allows you to communicate with the Creator of all nature. In God, rest and rejuvenation are found. Like the woman at the well in the Gospel of John 4:10, God offers each one of us living water. It is this water that brings us eternal rest.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Summer is the typical time people take vacation. It is a period designed explicitly for rest and relaxation. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites the weary and burdened to find rest in Him. By prioritizing self-care, we become refreshed, allowing us to seek God’s peace and restoration.
The daily grind takes a toll on us. The barrage of emails, text messages, and input from outside sources makes us feel like a worn-out sponge. Soaking up the information and then regurgitating it at that moment or another time. Sooner or later, you will dry out and fall apart.
Reflect on Your Past
To better understand your current state of mental health, consider the following:
Did your childhood teach you good self-care? Were you able to speak your mind without retribution? How did your parents take care of themselves?
These questions will reveal your history and your story.
In your story, you can go back and rewrite it. Rewrite the story so you won’t feel guilty when you are not working. Take time to kick up your feet and just relax. Enjoy your family for who they are because you want to, not as an obligation.
Action: Spend 5 minutes thinking about your childhood. Answer one question by writing or typing it out. Build on this each day until you feel you have answered each one adequately.
Verbalize Your Needs
Learning to verbalize your wants and needs is vital for good mental health. It does take practice. So, think about starting this summer! But first, you will need to list what these are. Then, you can reflect upon them. It is essential for good mental health. You can start by asking yourself:
Do I need more alone time or social time? What activities do I like to do alone? What do I want to do with other people? What resources do I need to live a balanced life?
Action: Spend another 5 minutes thinking about your childhood. Write down whether you needed more alone time or social time and list one example to support your answer. Then spend another 5 minutes thinking about the present. Build on this each day until you feel you have answered each one adequately.
Consider Others
When we rest and refresh, we strengthen our relationships with others. Empathy allows us to connect deeply, promoting a sense of community. By understanding and valuing the perspectives of others, we can offer support and kindness in meaningful ways. This balance between self-care and caring for others enriches our lives and helps create a kinder, gentler world.
Imagine the ripple effect: when you take time to care for yourself, you are better equipped to care for those around you. Renewed energy and a positive outlook can inspire others.
Action: Think of one person you can reach out to this week and offer a kind word or run an errand.
The next time you question whether you need to work late, ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” That should answer your question.
Image Source: clipart-library.com Found on Pineterest
There are several slightly different accounts of the nativity story in the gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Jesus’ birth is not included in the Gospels of Mark and John. Each of those books begins with Jesus as an adult.
The Miracle of the Angel
In Matthew, the first Angel appears to Joseph in a dream.
The angel Gabriel visits Mary first to announce her favor and pregnancy in Luke. Then, this same Angel appears to Joseph in a dream.
When Jesus was born, an Angel appeared to shepherds in a field nearby.
At first, they were startled by the bright light.
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
An Angel
The Angel delivered the message of Jesus’s birth.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the Angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the Highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
The Angel announced Jesus’ birth.
The birth of Christ the King!
Today, let’s celebrate the Miracle of Christ on Christmas!
Wishing you all awe and wonder of the holiday season!
Comfort and joy, Where can I find this comfort and joy? Take a break.Step away and find a quiet place.
Comfort and joy, Where can I find this comfort and joy? Sit for a while. Ask for God’s presence.
Comfort and joy, Where can I find this comfort and joy? Be still. Close your eyes. Breathe. Relax.
Comfort and joy, Where can I find this comfort and joy? In the depths of your soul, reach as far down as you can.
Comfort and joy, Where can I find this comfort and joy? Sit for a while. Be open to God’s presence.
Comfort and joy, Where can I find this comfort and joy? Ask God to sit next to you and join you in your thoughts.
Comfort and joy, Where can I find this comfort and joy? Shh. Quiet. Hear God speak.
God says, Hello, precious child. “I knit you together in your mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:9) I am so happy to see you. I’ve been waiting for you to ask me to sit with you. Go ahead and tell me what is on your mind.
It’s okay. Speak your mind. Stay awhile in this sacred place.
Comfort and joy, Where can I find this comfort and joy? In this sacred space, may you find comfort and joy.
Whatever your religious beliefs are or are not, may this season of holidays, encourage you and bring you tidings of comfort and joy.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
*****
Inspired by the Christmas Song, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen… “Fear not,” then said the Angel, “let nothing you affright, This day is born a Saviour, Of pure Virgin bright, To free all those who trust in Him, From Satan’s power and might.” O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
#Comfort #Joy #Christmas #SacredSpace
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I and Thou Reflections 