Well – an hour less of sleep tonight – but that also means an hour less of worry tomorrow.

An hour less of mess, an hour less of complaining, an hour less of stumbling, an hour less of waiting…  an hour less until Jesus comes again…  (hey I like my sleep too – but wow, Jesus is coming an hour quicker now? cool…..)

And Christmas came to me today – and DIDN”T pinch me – wow!  I mean Christmas the crab AND Christmas the shopping!  Yes – I had a Walk to Emmaus Gathering today and brought Christmas with me – the crab – he (yes I studied and determined him as a he) went for a ride and was the basis for my talking about my journey in the spiritual weekend – I didn’t know that I was going to be in charge of one of God’s creatures – 5 years now – he is very low maintenance – and yet Christmas was lost on the ground that october day – a walk directed for me and my walking partner as we listened to our hunch of which path to take (thanks God!).   SO, how could we not pick him up – except we didn’t and had to go back again the next day – he was still there…

In my talk today I spoke about how Christmas has changed shells – and often we do as well – but of course we are strongest in the Armor of God. I also spoke how important it was for me to “come out of my shell” to my co-walking ladies at that weekend – and same now – to have companions of Christ – to have brothers and sisters of each other – we understand each other – and we are NOT to judge…  NOPE!  I also spoke of how Christmas molted and how I had to wait (just like we all have to wait) – and how we are new creations in Christ…

In my Christmas shopping today (I know it is March, but a HUGE sale was brewing at the craft store), I got craft kits for little trees – less than 50 cents each – and christmas wreaths for 1.25…  wow! 

And here is the biggest Christmas gift I got to participate in today – the gift of the Holy Spirit timing…  I hope that my words are not taken as my timing or bragging but that the Lord gave me charge of Christmas the crab for many reasons I don’t see coming until they do, I got to show Christmas to 20 young children today…  WOW! I was walking down the stairs after the Emmaus event – and since I had parked in the back – and grumbled about walking all the way around earlier – I had to leave thru those downstairs doors – and wow!!!  100 children were there for “saturday schoool” – a local eastern european ethnic community raising their children in a church closeness…  feeding them lunch and everything…  cool…  I stopped at the bottom of the stairs for a crying child – he must have fallen – was inconsolable. He did not want to look at Christmas when I pulled him out – but the other 20 children gathered around and I explained how God must have sent me (and my friend) to find him – he was lost…  cool…

We are lost until we are found – and so many children need to hear about God – hear about Jesus – hear about HOPE. We need to let them come and be children and curious and called.  I had many smiles today that God gave me – I had many opportunities to praise…  Who needs grumpling anyway when each day we can PRAISE…

So, one less hour tonight for sleep – but wow – one more hour closer to Jesus coming again – keep an eye out – just like Christmas – and WHAT A SURPRISE that will be!!!!

An hour less is an hour more.

Amen

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Psalm 85 For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

You, Lord, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.

Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation.

I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants – but let them not turn to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.

Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.