Greetings Prayer Warriors,
With the realization of December, stress goes up. Whether one is a stay-at-home parent managing
the household, a working parent dealing with end of year business deadlines, or
a family where both parents work, adding “preparation for the holidays” to your
to-do list can be overwhelming. Rarely does
one then project their best self. During the holidays we more easily become on
edge, reactive, snippy, emotional, and exhausted.
As we enter into Advent, let us prepare ourselves for Joy as
we focus on the reason for the season. God sent us the Gift of a Savior, so let
us also be generous and give the gifts that are most greatly needed by all:
Love, kindness, patience, forgiveness, and hope. Do not be derailed by external
pressures, but rather, with joy do what is necessary, and forget what isn’t. As a result, your own joy will increase.
Lord, let us not be
overwhelmed by external preparations, but renewed by the internal preparation
of our heart for You. Grant us hope when we feel overwhelmed, patience when we
feel short-tempered, and love when we feel depleted. Fill us with joy! May we in turn gift it to
others, especially our family, so that they may sense the true gift of the
season.
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
Share your Master's joy. Pass it on!
