Time for What's Important

-


I added this lovely ornament to my tree last night. It was a gift from a friend. There is a group of women who are pastors and ministry leaders in our area and we get together for breakfast once a month. Yesterday was our monthly time together and I really wasn't feeling like I wanted to go, but I'm so glad I did. 

It's been nice to have women in my life who understand the joys and challenges of ministry, plus being a woman who is also a ministry leader. It can really be a lonely place. We pray for one another. We laugh together and we cry together. We are there for one another. It's been beautiful.

Christmas is just twelve days away and I've been trying to stay on top of everything. It's easy to race from one thing to the next, but I'm taking time each day to enjoy the season.

I've been gifted with an extra day today as I was supposed to travel to speak, but the weather is putting a stop to that. We are under another lake effect storm warning today through Monday and the bulk of it is happening when I'm traveling back home this afternoon. The woman in charge already knew that there was a possibility I wouldn't be able to come and assured me last night that they would have me another time and not to risk my neck coming!

This was a picture from Thursday afternoon. The white-out conditions were crazy, which is exactly why I don't want to drive in it today!


That's the weird thing about lake effect snow. About 20 minutes after I took this picture it stopped and there was a bit of blue sky peeking out through the clouds. Then about another 20 minutes went by and it was a white-out again. The snow bands come in waves.

So I guess I will be continuing my Christmas baking.




I'm not baking as many cookies this year and instead of cookie trays will be coming up with a different gift for the neighbors. These are for a few upcoming events.

I have an article to write, a message to work on, a Bible study to prepare and a children's lesson to prepare. So I have plenty to keep me busy. 

In the meantime I'm taking time to sit in the silence each morning and pray and reflect, while enjoying the Christmas lights. 



I know it's a busy time of year, but stop and take a moment to enjoy the reason we celebrate. Often we think we don't have time, but I have found when I set aside time for what is important, everything still gets accomplished

Comments

Post a Comment

I love your comments and encouragement! I can't always respond back but do read each comment.

Popular posts from this blog

When the Unexpected Pops Up

-
Image
On Thursday afternoon, just as Dan and I were getting ready to leave for a meeting, we received a phone call from our son. He was sitting on the side of the road with a blown engine in his car. The problem is he lives 3 1/2 hours away. After back and forth phone calls he called a tow truck and got it towed to a garage. He ended up renting a car and headed here for the holiday. We've been working with him to figure out his next steps because he still owes thousands of dollars on the car which will also take a significant amount to replace the engine. His rent is going up in the new year. His seasonal job ended and he is trying to find something else, but needs a car for that to happen. His car still has not been looked at by the mechanic. It is all more than a little overwhelming. Long story short, we extended an invitation for him to live here temporarily so he can get out from under all of this. It would save him money on expensive rent and utilities.  The timing was right since h...
Read more

It's Time for a Giveaway

-
Image
Good morning!  It's been almost a year since I've done a blog give away so I thought that today would be a good day to go ahead and offer that.  I love writing and blogging and I so appreciate my blog readers.  I've gotten to know many of you throughout the years and I want to show my appreciation by giving you the chance to win! All you have to do is comment on this post to enter.  I will draw a name on Friday after 9 p.m. and announce the name on Saturday morning.  I will be putting together a "surprise" package full of handmade items. If you have trouble posting here, you can email me at terri.groh@aol.com or leave a message on my Facebook post (will be linking there too).  Have a great day!
Read more

A Mindful Year

-
Image
This year has been strange to say the least, and has not gone exactly the way I expected. A good chunk of the first part of 2025 was spent helping with my in-laws before my mother-in-law passed away the day after Easter. And as we are entering into the last part of 2025 I think the word, mindful, is an accurate description of how the year as gone so far. In fact, I was browsing in a local book store and found this book entited, A Mindful Year. It is a journal of daily writing prompts and I just started it the other day.  I've worked at being intentional in many of the areas of my life and I think "mindful" is a good word to use.  I've been mindful in taking time to pray, read, and hear what God is saying to me.  I've been mindful in getting in many days of exercise each week, especially getting out and walking and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. I've been intentional with family and taking time for them. I've been mindful in my other relationship...
Read more