As we are leading up to Christmas morning, I would like to share a few things that have been on my heart, as well as sharing a few ideas that I really like and will be implementing this weekend with my children!

A little old lady lives down the road from us with her little Pomeranian dog named Tippy.  She walks up and down the street with Tippy daily.   We have stopped to chat with her from time to time.  This little lady lives alone, and that in itself tugs at my heart knowing that she is alone.  I’m sure she has family and friends that love and care for her, but just to know that she is alone for the most part day in and day out with her little Tippy just tugs at my heart strings.

I’ve had this little lady on my mind for a few weeks now, and I know that was God leading me to do something for her.  I should have acted immediately on this when she came to mind.   Sadly, I did not obey right away.  🙁    I’m sure every one can relate with the busyness of the season, and in my busyness, I did not act upon this when I should have.  God still had a hand in this, though.   He must have put me on this little lady’s heart as well at the same time.  Isn’t God amazing?

I rushed home one afternoon and pulled up to the mailbox as usual to gather the mail.  When I entered the house and began shuffling through the mail, I found a large envelope actually with her address on it but with a note that said, “Keep this one.”  The envelope had already been opened.  My curiosity got the better of me at this point, and I cautiously peeked into the envelope, then pulled out a beautiful Christmas card with a 2014 calendar.   I read the note penned inside the card and instantly knew that God was at work.   God placed this little lady on my heart at around the same time that He placed me on this lady’s heart as well!    She took the time (I am feeling the sting of guilt and shame here) to let me know that she was thinking of me.  She gave a simple gift of a calendar for the new year with wishes inside a Christmas card for me and my family.  She thought of us, and she acted upon this.  I asked God for forgiveness for not immediately acting on it when He placed this lady on my heart.  Then I gathered the Christmas gift bag and tucked little treasures inside for her along with some Christmas goodies and a card from our family to her.   I did not hesitate in telling her in the card that God had placed her on my heart and that apparently He placed us on her heart as well, and how comforting it was to know that we were thinking of each other at the same time wanting to wish each other a Merry Christmas!

This sweet gesture from our neighbor blessed my heart.  It has also awakened me to the fact that I need to act when God calls me to do so.  I’m so glad that my God did not give up on me even when I pushed through and allowed the busyness of the season to take over.  He still found a way to show His hand in all of this and most definitely got my attention!  Thank you, Father.  Thank you for the precious gift of my neighbor reaching out to me through her card and sharing her calendar with me.  I will smile with every flip of the page this coming year and think back to this little lesson given to me at Christmas time.

At this time when I have been thinking of the gift given to me through what was left in my mail box, I stumbled upon a blog that listed several ideas for Creating Christmas Traditions  which also included an idea of leaving something special in other people’s mail boxes!  In this post, Courtney from WomenLivingWell.org offers a beautiful suggestion, which is below for your review and consideration:

Spread the love of Jesus while driving around looking at Christmas lights. Every year before we leave the house to go look at Christmas lights, I have the children color 5-10 pictures of baby Jesus. (click here for coloring pages to print) Then as we drive we search for homes that are displaying the nativity. Each time we find one we clap and cheer. Then we roll down the back window and allow the children to take turns putting their picture in the mail box. I write on each picture “Thank you for displaying the reason for the season.” We hope it blesses them as they have blessed us!

I am printing these coloring pages out for my daughters, and we will begin this tradition this weekend!   Imagine the smile that will spread across the faces of every one that opens their mail boxes to discover pictures colored so beautifully by precious little children thanking them for displaying the reason for the season!  Courtney, thank you so much for this idea!!

Another wonderful idea that Courtney posted, which we will add to our traditions beginning this year on Christmas day, is as follows:

Read the Christmas story before opening presents. Every year on Christmas day we get together with my extended family. Before the presents are opened, we read the story of Baby Jesus to the children.

Each year we purchase a birthday cake to celebrate the birth day of Christ, our Lord.  We gather around and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus!!  This year, I will proudly read the Christmas story!

Be intentional this Christmas season.  Be a blessing to some one.  Do something for them, even if all you have to give is a calendar, they will smile and feel joy deep within their hearts that you thought of them.    Gather your children in the car and look at Christmas lights all through the town while singing Christmas carols.   When you see houses that proudly display the nativity scene, leave your beautifully colored pictures for them to bless their hearts!    Gather the children on Christmas morning and read the Christmas story!   Include Jesus in the celebrations – buy Him a birthday cake, sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, let His light fill your hearts, lives, and souls this holiday season and all year through!

Blessings to you and yours!

~Shirley

Light, Love, Hope