It looks like the beginning of a Christmas card; I thought we were passed the carols and gold paper. We are but should we be? The holidays are over, decorations are stored and boxes put away. The house feels a bit drab, and the weather is a monster.
This time of year can produce the most brilliant displays of Jack Frost’s artistry. Still, it is often dark and grey, and depending on where you call home, your landscape could be wet, sloppy, and muddy or frozen solid with dirt marring once beautiful white fluffy snow. The skies overhead wear a heavy wool blanket of fog, and the sun appears to be sleeping.
It’s easy this time of year for us to slip into a bit of grey fog. There isn’t anything special going on; this year is more challenging because we can’t even escape to a movie with buttered popcorn, our favorite haunts; after all, they’re closed; our social gatherings are canceled or weird at the very least. Nothing feels normal.
So with all the January grey outside what do you do with the boredom and gloomies? The inconveniences and challenges winter brings? Well, you could start a fire in the fireplace to produce warmth and a glow of atmosphere. Try Possibly lighting candles for the flicker of the flame and the scents that fill the air. How about filling a pot with meat and veggies to create a soup to simmer on the stove or something yummy baking in the oven.
These fill our space and senses with the sights, sounds, and smells of warmth, coziness, peace, and joy. Now to make it a perfect circle fill your inner spaces with the same. I am on a mission to walk in peace and joy this year. I may have to pray, repent, pray and repeat throughout the day, but I don’t want circumstances, the world, or daily challenges to decide my day; I want to determine how my day will be or at least work on it.
I realize that we can’t be bundles of sunshine every moment of every day, but I’m talking about making ourselves aware of how We’re letting life affect us rather than us affecting our lives. I can choose to be grouchy (and I do), or I can pray and ask the Holy Spirit to renew my mind!
Romans 15:13 ESV “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 12:2 ESV “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”
It’s a choice we can choose everyday. I can look at the world and possibly my circumstances of any given moment and let that dictate my thoughts, or I can pray and ask for Peace and Joy, and even though I may walk in the rain from time to time, that’s ok because I have rain boots and an umbrella.
Be blessed…Be a blessing and Thank you for joining me. 🥰
Sunshine On My Shoulder 