THANKSCHRISTGIVINGMASNEWYEAR

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by Kathy Carlton Willis—

As I write this before Thanksgiving, I’m thinking of how the next few weeks sort of blur. It’s a whirl of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year celebrations. Recipes. Invitations. Greeting cards. Shopping. Candles. Wardrobe requirements. This time of year is not just about the parties and food, but about the meaning behind each holiday.

Thanksgiving has become ThanksLIVING for me. How will I live my life in such a way so that my gratitude flavors my attitudes and selects my choices? Will others see Christ in me because I’m living a sacrifice of praise to Him?

Christmas, at its core, celebrates the birth of the Savior. He is central to not only this holiday, but every holy day. Living Christmas every day becomes what the Bible describes as “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

New Year’s Day is more than a day. It’s the beginning of a whole new 365 days. A clean slate. I can’t go back and rewrite the beginning of my life story, but I get this opportunity to write a new ending. What will it look like? How does Jesus shape these priorities?

I’m looking ahead at what God wants ministry to look like for me. I’m starting two new groups in 2015. One is a nationwide group for WordGirls and the other is a local wellness group for our church and community. I’m eager to see these programs birthed!

So today as I write this article, I’m celebrating THANKSCHRISTGIVINGMASNEWYEAR. Each holiday affects the others. Because Jesus came (Immanuel) I have reason to be thankful. And because I’m thankful, I set priorities for the New Year that reflect my gratitude.

Compounding my holiday blur is my 52nd birthday coming up in the middle of the month. I’ve been working on reinventing my life from the inside out and the outside in, so I’ll be doing a lot of introspection at this mile-marker in my life, to decide where it needs to go from here. God is my Travel Guide on this journey, and I love it that He doesn’t wait for the destination to show me the sights. Life is beautiful and His creative touch shines through each blessing.

Pray with me as I seek God’s direction for how He wants me to use my time. And you might want to consider joining me in seeking God’s fingerprint during this THANKSCHRISTGIVINGMASNEWYEAR.

Merry Every Day!

 

 

 

 

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Kathy Carlton Willis: Kathy writes and speaks with a balance of funny and faith—whimsy and wisdom. Not many funny girls also have Bible degrees! As a pastor’s wife, she has plenty of material for her new Grin with Kathy column at MPN. She has four books coming out in the next couple of years: Speaker to Speaker, Grin with Grace, Grin with Joy, and Grin with Peace. She’s affiliated with several Christian writer and speaker organizations and serves as a consultant for others in the publishing industry. Kathy anticipates great things for her 50s (despite the menopause monster), and is pursuing God’s goals with gusto as she dives in to this glorious decade. Kathy’s tagline captures her essence: Light & Lively: His Reflection/Her Laughter. Learn more about Kathy at: www.kathycarltonwillis.com/