Happy New Year 2009! I love this piece and wanted to share it here!
“A Morning Wish”
W.R. Hunt
“The sun is just rising on the morning of another day, the first day of the new year. What can I wish that this day, that this year, may bring to me?
Nothing that shall make the world of others poorer, nothing at the expense of others; but just those few things which in their coming do not stop with me but touch me rather, as they pass and gather strength:
o A few friends who understand me, and yet remain my friends.o A work to do which has real value without which the world would feel the poorer.o A return for such work small enough not to tax unduly anyone who pays.o A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed.o An understanding heart.o A sight of the eternal hills and unresting sea, and of something beautiful the individual hand has made.o A sense of humor and the power to laugh.o A little leisure with nothing to do.o A few moments of quiet, silent meditation. The sense of the presence of God.o And the patience to wait for the coming of these things, with the wisdom to know them when they come.”
Friday, January 2, 2009
Monday, December 15, 2008
The 12 Gifts of Christmas - my gift to you!
Are you burning your Advent candles at both ends? Are you anxious for Christmas to come so you can slow down? Here’s a simple Advent idea to help married couples recapture True Love (and each other) in the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle.
The Twelve Gifts of Christmas
(based on 1Corinthians 13)
Suggestion: Copy and cut paragraphs into strips. Place into decorative box. Beginning on December 13th, draw the first day's "Gift" from the box. Read aloud. Follow with action. Repeat daily. At the end of 12 days, you will have the greatest Christmas treasure of all….the gift of True Love, inspired by The Word of God!
The First Gift of Christmas (December 13)
Love is patient. Today I will wait for you without hurrying you. If I’m usually slower than you, I will try to move more quickly. I will practice patience by considering your needs before mine. Today I will be patient, and I won’t complain - even if someone takes my parking space at the mall!
The Second Gift of Christmas (December 14)
Love is kind. Today I’ll show my love for you in your love language. If you feel most loved when I do things for you, what errand or chore can I do for you? If you feel most loved by tender words, I’ll write you a love letter. If you feel love best through physical touch, would you enjoy a massage? If you feel love best through quality time, I will plan time for us just to be together. If your heart smiles the brightest with a gift, then open your hands, and close your eyes; and I’ll show my love with a fun surprise! How can I express my love so your heart understands?
The Third Gift of Christmas (December 15)
Love envies no one. Today I will want just what we have. I will make a list of all the things I am grateful for, and I will read it to you so you will know. I won’t talk about what other people have that I envy. I will throw away any mail order catalogs I’ve been saving. Today I will practice contentment and gratitude for the blessings already in my life.
The Fourth Gift of Christmas (December 16)
Love is never boastful. Today I will admit out loud I don’t know everything. If I have hurt you, I will humbly admit it, and ask your forgiveness. As a sign of humility, I promise to ask for directions next time. As a sign of my love, I will praise you in front of others at our next holiday gathering.
The Fifth Gift of Christmas (December 17)
Love is not conceited. Today I will ask you about your day before I tell you about mine. I will listen to you without thinking about what I want to say to you when you stop talking. I will quiet my thoughts while I listen to you. I will practice thinking about your needs today, before my own.
The Sixth Gift of Christmas (December 18)
Love is not rude. Today I will wait for you to finish talking before I begin talking. I will be careful with my words. I will consider how my actions affect you and others. I will speak well of you whether we are together or apart. Today I will show you greater honor and respect by my words and by my actions.
The Seventh Gift of Christmas (December 19)
Love is never selfish. Today I will offer you “first choice”, “the best piece”, and even control of the remote! I will lavish on you the best of whatever comes our way today. I will think of you before myself. How can I best love you today? I want to know.
The Eighth Gift of Christmas (December 20)
Love is not quick to take offense. Today I choose forgive you for that thing you did or said that annoyed me. I will practice loving you today by choosing not to complain about “you know what”. Instead, I will consider today how I may have offended or hurt you, and I will ask for your forgiveness.
The Ninth Gift of Christmas (December 21)
There is nothing Love cannot face. Today I renew my commitment to you even when we face big challenges. With God’s help, I’ll do all I can to work toward a healthy marriage. If we need outside help, I will seek it with you. Is there something we need to face that I’ve been avoiding? Please tell me because I choose to love you even when it doesn’t feel comfortable.
The Tenth Gift of Christmas (December 22)
There is no limit to Love's faith. How can I pray for you today? I will light a candle as a reminder to keep you in my prayers. I will pray for health and safety. I will pray for wisdom and discernment. I will pray you feel God’s love. And tonight before we go to bed, let’s pray together for God’s blessing on our marriage.
The Eleventh Gift of Christmas (December 23)
There is no limit to Love's hope. Tell me your hopes and dreams. What are your hopes? What are your dreams for our future? What do you hope to accomplish in your life we haven’t yet discussed? Today let’s write down your hopes and dreams. I’ll share mine with you, too!
The Twelfth Gift of Christmas (December 24)
There is no limit to Love's endurance. Today I’ll give you encouragement wherever you need it. I will be your greatest fan. Are there areas in our life where you feel fatigued or worn down? Let’s talk about how together we can lighten the load.
In a word, there are three things that last forever: faith, hope, and love;but the greatest of them all is love.~ 1 Corinthians 13 ~
Merry Christ.mas!
The Twelve Gifts of Christmas
(based on 1Corinthians 13)
Suggestion: Copy and cut paragraphs into strips. Place into decorative box. Beginning on December 13th, draw the first day's "Gift" from the box. Read aloud. Follow with action. Repeat daily. At the end of 12 days, you will have the greatest Christmas treasure of all….the gift of True Love, inspired by The Word of God!
The First Gift of Christmas (December 13)
Love is patient. Today I will wait for you without hurrying you. If I’m usually slower than you, I will try to move more quickly. I will practice patience by considering your needs before mine. Today I will be patient, and I won’t complain - even if someone takes my parking space at the mall!
The Second Gift of Christmas (December 14)
Love is kind. Today I’ll show my love for you in your love language. If you feel most loved when I do things for you, what errand or chore can I do for you? If you feel most loved by tender words, I’ll write you a love letter. If you feel love best through physical touch, would you enjoy a massage? If you feel love best through quality time, I will plan time for us just to be together. If your heart smiles the brightest with a gift, then open your hands, and close your eyes; and I’ll show my love with a fun surprise! How can I express my love so your heart understands?
The Third Gift of Christmas (December 15)
Love envies no one. Today I will want just what we have. I will make a list of all the things I am grateful for, and I will read it to you so you will know. I won’t talk about what other people have that I envy. I will throw away any mail order catalogs I’ve been saving. Today I will practice contentment and gratitude for the blessings already in my life.
The Fourth Gift of Christmas (December 16)
Love is never boastful. Today I will admit out loud I don’t know everything. If I have hurt you, I will humbly admit it, and ask your forgiveness. As a sign of humility, I promise to ask for directions next time. As a sign of my love, I will praise you in front of others at our next holiday gathering.
The Fifth Gift of Christmas (December 17)
Love is not conceited. Today I will ask you about your day before I tell you about mine. I will listen to you without thinking about what I want to say to you when you stop talking. I will quiet my thoughts while I listen to you. I will practice thinking about your needs today, before my own.
The Sixth Gift of Christmas (December 18)
Love is not rude. Today I will wait for you to finish talking before I begin talking. I will be careful with my words. I will consider how my actions affect you and others. I will speak well of you whether we are together or apart. Today I will show you greater honor and respect by my words and by my actions.
The Seventh Gift of Christmas (December 19)
Love is never selfish. Today I will offer you “first choice”, “the best piece”, and even control of the remote! I will lavish on you the best of whatever comes our way today. I will think of you before myself. How can I best love you today? I want to know.
The Eighth Gift of Christmas (December 20)
Love is not quick to take offense. Today I choose forgive you for that thing you did or said that annoyed me. I will practice loving you today by choosing not to complain about “you know what”. Instead, I will consider today how I may have offended or hurt you, and I will ask for your forgiveness.
The Ninth Gift of Christmas (December 21)
There is nothing Love cannot face. Today I renew my commitment to you even when we face big challenges. With God’s help, I’ll do all I can to work toward a healthy marriage. If we need outside help, I will seek it with you. Is there something we need to face that I’ve been avoiding? Please tell me because I choose to love you even when it doesn’t feel comfortable.
The Tenth Gift of Christmas (December 22)
There is no limit to Love's faith. How can I pray for you today? I will light a candle as a reminder to keep you in my prayers. I will pray for health and safety. I will pray for wisdom and discernment. I will pray you feel God’s love. And tonight before we go to bed, let’s pray together for God’s blessing on our marriage.
The Eleventh Gift of Christmas (December 23)
There is no limit to Love's hope. Tell me your hopes and dreams. What are your hopes? What are your dreams for our future? What do you hope to accomplish in your life we haven’t yet discussed? Today let’s write down your hopes and dreams. I’ll share mine with you, too!
The Twelfth Gift of Christmas (December 24)
There is no limit to Love's endurance. Today I’ll give you encouragement wherever you need it. I will be your greatest fan. Are there areas in our life where you feel fatigued or worn down? Let’s talk about how together we can lighten the load.
In a word, there are three things that last forever: faith, hope, and love;but the greatest of them all is love.~ 1 Corinthians 13 ~
Merry Christ.mas!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
