Women Living Well December Challenge

Another week of Courtney's Women Living Well December Challenge has arrived!  I think I missed posting last weeks challenge.  It was great!  I went to bed super early one night, just like the challenge stated.  I was so tired, I didn't read Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2, Jeremiah 23:5, and Isaiah 53 that night, but finally did tonight.


Here's this week's challenge: Christmas is just 5 days away (OOPS!  I'm even a little behind on this one!  Christmas is just 2- eek days away) and so much of our time is often spent helping the children to remember the "Reason for the Season". Now it's our turn. Once the kids are in bed get yourself a HOT drink (again we are warming the body as we warm the soul.) Get ALONE and turn out the lights by your Christmas tree, a lit fire, or a candle and just be alone with God. Pray, talk to him, I encourage you to sing Christmas carols or songs praising him, and just rest with Jesus.


Embrace the peace in your home that is there right before you in Jesus. Do not rush past his offer "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled." John 14:27.


Remember to keep your candle burning daily and each time you catch a glimpse of it, say a prayer for peace in your home.  I have also found myself spending a few extra minutes in prayer each morning when I light my candle and again when I blow it out.  I'm so glad Bath and Body Works has their large candles on sale still!  So for tonight, fireplace or Christmas tree??....  I think I'll take the warmth of the fire tonight. (pretend you don't see the reflection of my kitchen... it's a real fireplace, just no real wood and is behind a glass-  go figure!)

Peace on Earth - December Challenge

I'm linking up to Women Living Well blog where Courtney is challenging us to find peace during what is probably the most hectic month of the year, December. The first part of the challenge is probably the easiest.  It is to write 1 Peter 5:7 on the top of my calendar.  The hard part will be actually letting go of my anxieties!  (side note...notice my calendar?  It is a home made calendar that Sarah made me last Christmas at school.  I have LOVED seeing the pictures she picked out each month and her art work.)

Sometimes when I see a verse quoted on the internet, I like to look up the "rest of the story is".  I mean, with a verse about letting go of my anxieties and giving my worries over to God, there must be some other really important stuff that goes along with it!  Right?  Here is 1 Peter 5:1-11 (from the NIV)....

  ¹ To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: ² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

 ⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

   “God opposes the proud
   but shows favor to the humble.”

 ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

 ⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

 ¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

I just thought I would share that with you because as a mother, I am entrusted to look over part of God's flock and sometimes it's hard for me to remember to not lord over my flock so much, but to be an example!


Another part of the challenge is to light a candle daily and each time the flame catches you eye, say a prayer for peace in you home.  This is also easy, because I love to burn candles in my home.  I love the way they smell and the way I can change the smell of my home, based on the season and my mood!

My candle is lit, how about yours?

Peace on Earth December Challenge