Ah, Christmas.
It’s my very favorite holiday, however frenzied and frazzled it may cause me to be. Like you, I’m choosing gifts, sending cards, and all the rest.
And, like many of you, I’ve got a lot of other things to do, like work. 🙂
In all the hustle and bustle, it’s too easy, at least for me, to forget the simple but profound point of it all–the birth of Jesus, the Greatest Gift ever given, the living embodiment of God’s unfailing Love. The Way (into a new beginning, and don’t we all need those?), the Truth (God loves us, warts and all) and the Life (we are offered abundant life, now and forever). Yep. Jesus, Whom I usually refer to as the Boss, was and is God’s own Exhibit A: How to Live, from 101 to a Phd. and far beyond.
No wonder the angels sang.
Listen closely, in the quiet of your heart, and you might just hear them yourself. They’re still singing, still celebrating the unfathomable fact that God has never and will never give up on a single one of us.Now, I was blessed to be raised by a Christian mom, and I’ve known the Boss for as long as I can remember, but I still need to refind the Way once in a while. I need to be reminded of the Truth, and to be willing to receive the Life He offers. No matter how lost I may be, I know, always, that He’s one prayer away.
I guess it was writing in my gratitude journal that put me in this reflective mood. 🙂 I neglect the exercise sometimes, but I’ve made a pact with myself to do better. Gratitude is incredibly powerful; it heals wounds, puts new life into broken dreams, AND attracts more reasons to be grateful! Such a deal.
So, here’s my challenge to you. Let’s keep up our gratitude journals this year. The journal itself doesn’t need to be fancy–an ordinary notebook will do. Let’s pause for a few minutes–morning is the best time for me, but any other time of day is fine, too–and list five things or people or blessings we’re grateful for.
I promise you, if you do this faithfully, you will see miracles happen.
On to other things. 🙂 This week’s $50 giftcard and autographed book winners (2 of them), will be notified and announced today. Ditto next Friday. After that, we’ll switch out the prizes–giving away pieces of my “medicinal” jewelry, original artist trading cards, and fun stuff I brought home from Cowboy Christmas. And speaking of Cowboy Christmas, I’ve been told that the NFR’s move from Las Vegas to Orlando isn’t a done deal. I’ve been to Orlando, and it’s a wonderful place, but frankly, I’d like to see the rodeo stay in Las Vegas. Why? Because a lot of the fans live out here in the West, and many of them won’t be able to make the trip–it’s a financial stretch for most folks as it is. Cowboys (and girls) are known for a lot of things, but being rich, pardon my French, ain’t one of them.
I’ve been getting up early (4:30) to get my pages written before things get too crazy around the Triple L, and it’s working.
Those of you who’ve been waiting for “Big Sky Secrets”, the final book in the series, won’t have to hold on much longer. 🙂 Tuesday, December 28 (I think the last Tuesday in the month is the 28th) Landry and Ria’s story will be available practically everywhere.
Well, that’s my piece for today, so I’ll close with this wish: that you have a fantastic weekend.
About Linda
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West.
Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a horse property outside Spokane.
