The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be strange for some of us. While some look forward with an overflowing anticipation for the resurrection of Jesus birth, and giving gifts to those they love…
others often feel caught in the middle of busyness and confusion.
But when we’re willing to choose to get up and give thanks, the magic starts. When we agree with the heart of God, a light comes on. Our hearts are nourished in return. We grasp a gift called “self awareness” and see growth unwrapping new every day.
We start noticing things like, even though it takes twice as long to get dressed in the morning, as we push through the layers of clothing, we experience His warmth. And feel it’s still worth getting up for. And during those dark, cloudy, mornings when I wake up… God is still there.
I’ve run through the mist a few times and sure to do it again someday. Because running through the mist of foggy times bring a kind of magic along too. A kind of magic I never knew existed until I experienced going out for myself. I come home with a free facial {apparently that’s what fog does to a girl}! It turns the thermometer of my mind from thinking the worst of the weather to embracing its good parts instead.
And I’m grateful. Because embracing grace is so much better than the alternative.
And this my friend, is just an “in between time”. That’s all.
Maybe the secret is learning to love inside the small times that teach us how to really live.
Because as we enjoy, there’s more joy to be found.
In, the in between times, we get to evaluate our lives. We get to choose to slow down a bit and take a look… And our eyes widen and finally see, The present moment is a gift if we will only receive it. This is our early Christmas gift… awareness of ourselves and the grace that’s poured down on us on a daily basis.
No one can enjoy the in between times for us. We must work out our own salvation.
The holiday highlights only happen a few times a year. We will discover together, how to embrace the in between times that make up the rest of life…
We will stop just scratching the surface. Together friends, we will run into His Full Life!
“Take a good, hard look at your life. Think it over.
You have spent a lot of money, but you haven’t much to show for it.
You keep filling your plates, but you never get filled up.
You keep drinking and drinking and drinking, but you’re always thirsty.
You put on layer after layer of clothes, but you can’t get warm.
And the people who work for you, what are they getting out of it?
Not much—
a leaky, rusted-out bucket, that’s what. . . Take a good, hard look at your life.
Think it over” (Haggai 1:5-7, MSG).
Oh, my. I think you wrote this post just for me.
Thank you, Amy.
That’s sweet and encouraging Natasha. I’m so thankful you were blessed by it. Have a beautiful weekend sister!
~ Love out, Amy
Fantastic words, sweet friend– the “in between times” (whether it’s holidays, life transitions or the “hurry up and wait” phases) can be challenging– but so rewarding if we capitalize on them to evaluate where we are currently and where God is taking us. Thanks for this precious reminder today! Love to you!
Sharita, I’m enjoying your words here so much. It feels so freeing to discover that we can always stop to evaluate and begin fresh again. I love the line from Anne Of Green Gables, “Every day is fresh with no mistakes in it”.
Thanks for sharing girl! ~ Love out, Amy
God’s got us on the same page, Amy. Thanks for communicating God’s thoughts so eloquently. Here’s where God reminded me, today, to fill up on the Eternal:
“Come, all who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!…Why spend money on what is not bread, and you labor on what does not satisfy? … eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest fare.” Isaiah 55:1-2
Blessings, dear Amy ~ Dawn
We could sip tea and read that passage together, Dawn. Thank you. ~Love out, Amy
The Holy Spirit is helping me to notice the beauty of the small times that each day possesses too. They are FULL of them, amen? I love how the beauty and love of our God flows from you heart in this sacred place. You encourage my weary heart once again. Merry Christmas to you and your family! Love and hugs from wherever the AF has us living this week
Amen to that Tracy! God is so good to us. We get to learn and love better every day! I’m so thankful for you sister. ~ Love out, Amy
Oh to embrace grace…
I’d stand in line for that, push through crowds for it…maybe even camp out front waiting for grace to open so I could get some. And He gives it to me for free…every moment of every day.
what else can I be but Joyfilled…
beautiful post, friend. Love and hugs to you! Thank you for helping me slow down and savor the reason for this season…
Nikki, your words are a beautiful desperation for more of your Savior! Love you girl. ~ Amy
“The present moment is a gift if only we’ll receive it.” Love this line Amy and it’s so very true — we have the choice each day to embrace or decline His Full Life.
Thank you for our encouragement tonight.
Hester 
Much Love from Washington!
Thank you Hester. I love chatting back and forth with you sister. ~ Love, Amy
Hi Amy, I’m so late with my reading but loved that passage from Haggai. I’m always amazed at how the OT prophets’ writings apply to 21st century Christ-followers! Awesome!
And yes – for the in-between times, sometimes it’s just doing the next faithful thing and enjoying the journey. Hugs to you!
Yes Susan, God is so good to give us His Word that is timeless through the power of the Holy Spirit. Thanks for visiting sister. ~ Love out, Amy
Amy,
I just love the encouragement God speaks through you….love this post!
Bridget
Bridget, thank you. You bless me too! I’m so thankful for the community we share. ~ Love out, Amy