"Not all the gifts of Christmas come wrapped in ribbons and bows. Some of the greatest gifts...can't be touched or seen. We feel them with our heart and know them through our soul." - from The Daily Word
It is easy to forget or simply dismiss the gifts within us, but we can use to uplift our days, help us through hurts and hardships, and make a difference in the lives
of others.
As I post this, Christmas Day is almost over. Actually, it's now the 26th.
Nevertheless, I suggest we open Twelve Gifts for the next 12 days and give them to ourselves and one another. They are not golden rings, calling birds, or pear trees, as the song goes. They are 12 gifts of life - inner strength, beauty, courage, compassion, hope, joy, talent, imagination, reverence, wisdom, love, and faith. Let's open them now, day by day, and bring them into the New
Year.
THE FIRST GIFT IS STRENGTH. MAY YOU REMEMBER TO CALL UPON IT WHENEVER YOU NEED IT.
STRENGTH - It's in the foundation of your being, it's built into you to help you survive and thrive. It's got many aspects and sides, such as perseverance and determination. It helps us heal, follow dreams, do the right thing, admit we don't know something, and say "I'm sorry. Please forgive me," when we have been wrong. It helps us to do the right thing, even when it feels hard or
unpopular.
Let's notice and remember a time when we used strength. Reflect on how you might use your strength today. If you feel low on strength or, if someone you love seems weak, or, if you feel broken, consider this quote about brokenness from Vince Havner:
"God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength."
With lfaith, hope, and ove,
Charlene
