Going, Going, Gone...

As 2016 draws to a close, I've been seeing a lot of tips about setting goals for the new year. Therefore, I've decided to come up with a few of my own:

1. Show up for your life everyday. Don't give way to discouragement.

2. Set realistic goals and don't beat yourself up if you fall short. 

3. Build a support system of people who will encourage and support you in meeting your goals. 

4. Don't fall into the comparison trap.

5. Take time to celebrate the small victories along the way. 

6. Practice gratitude. 

7. Allow room for life to happen because believe me, it will!

8. If you are recovering from trauma, accomplishing simple, everyday tasks can be overwhelming. Take breaks when necessary. Allow yourself Spiritual Whitespace. 

9. If you find yourself going through a difficult season, remember that this too shall pass.

Happy New Year!

sitting at His feet,

Valarie

Grace As a Love Language

"She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A

crown of glory she will deliver to you."

Proverbs 4:9 (NKJV)

I was reading this blog post on Incourage.me when this quote stood out:

"Justice is God's righteousness made right in the restoring of what is good in the same

way grace is His love language."

If your familiar with the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, he lists quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch as love languages. As we have so generously received the gift of grace, what if we were to adapt grace as a love language that we extend lavishly to others everyday?

Real Housewives of Samaria

"The greatest form of charity is to withhold judgment." ~ Jean B. Bingham

I learned something amazing about the Samaritan woman (John 4:4-30). She went to the well in the heat of the day to avoid the stares, the pointing. the chatter, and the gossip among the villagers. How many times have we avoided people out of shame or a fear of condemnation because of the mistakes or poor choices we've made? I know I have. Shame and the fear of judgment can paralyze us to such a degree that we stay inside all day with the shades pulled down. Like the Samaritan woman, we dare to venture out only when we're certain that no one else is around. We stay on the sidelines of living, never getting in the game....

What's interesting is that the moment she encountered Jesus, all of that fell by the wayside. Prior to her encounter with Jesus, she sought fulfillment in all the wrong places; but when she was filled with that which only He could give, she couldn't keep it to herself. She forgot about her sin and her shame and ran to tell the very people she use to go out of her way to avoid about Jesus. 

While we've all had our share of "at the well" moments, there have also been times when we've been like the people of Samaria, the "Real Housewives" of their day. If only we could offer one another the freedom that the Samaritan woman was offered that day...

sitting at His feet,

Valarie

An Unexpected Visitor

"And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with 

haste...and into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth."

Luke 1:39-40

Visitation by Domenico Ghirlandaio

During the holiday season your home can seem like Grand Central Station with a steady stream of family, friends, and well wishers - some of whom may drop in unexpectedly. 

Elizabeth had been living in relative seclusion when a young, pregnant Mary arrived at her doorstep over 2,000 years ago. Both women carried a promise so incredible that they could only find comfort and companionship in one another as Mary would remain with Elizabeth for some time. 

How often, when an unexpected visitor shows up on our doorstep do we react (at least inwardly) with frustration because they "didn't call first"? The Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:2 to, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." That angel can be that neighbor who shows up unannounced with a fruit cake she just made offering a listening ear or a shoulder to lean on at just the right moment. It can be the mail carrier who, as you're signing for that eagerly anticipated package, shares a story that reminds you of what really matters. Perhaps he mentions that elderly neighbor who lives up the street who doesn't have anyone to shove the snow from their driveway. 

While the holiday season can be a busy and demanding time, let us not forget to entertain friends and strangers alike because those unexpected visitors can often bring unexpected blessings to both give and receive. 

Sitting at His feet, 

Valarie

The Big Story

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes,

and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

Luke 2:7

I was working as a receptionist for a TV station several years ago when, late one afternoon shortly before Christmas, a man came in asking if he could speak with a member of the news staff. He explained to me that he along with his wife and their small children had been staying at a homeless shelter; but because of some minor technicality, there were being forced out onto the streets. I immediately paged a member of the news staff but they declined to help him. 

After he left the station....well, let's just say I couldn't let it go. Having full knowledge of the power of the media, I picked up the phone, dialed the shelter, and ask to speak with the woman in charge. I never misrepresented myself as a reporter but as it turned out, the mere mention of the station's call letters was enough. Although she declined to comment, she did in the end reconsider the matter. Less than an hour after making that phone call, the man walked back into the station with a big smile on his face and said to me, "I don't know what you did..." but he and his family would not have to leave the shelter.  

If we're not careful careful, we can get so caught up in chasing the big story or what we consider to be the next big thing that we miss the small, everyday miracles happening right in front of us. 

The big story of Christmas doesn't lie in a Christmas tree tall enough to make the Guinness Book of World Records. It doesn't lie in the most extravagantly decorated house on the block. It lies in an event which took place over 2,000 years ago when a poor and humble teenager from Nazareth said yes to what would be the greatest miracle ever known to man.

"Behold, the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word."

Luke 1:38

Sitting at His feet,

Valarie

The Other Brother

"And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore his father came

out and entreated him (to come in)." Luke 15:28

With the advent of the holiday season I find myself drawn more and more to the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) and the love the father showed both sons. Even though the younger son left home and squandered his fortune, he didn't wait for him to crawl back begging for forgiveness. He ran out to meet him. 

When the older son who stayed home was angry, the father, in his joy that his younger son who had been lost but was now found, could have easily ignored him; but like with the prodigal brother, he went out to him, inviting him to come inside and enjoy the festivities. 

The holiday season is a time for reconciliation and forgiveness, for putting aside differences. Is there a friend or family member who, out of pride or unforgiveness, remains standing outside refusing to come in? Why not extend to him or her the gift of grace and hospitality.

Sitting at His feet,

Valarie

Grace

Photo by Bahman Farzad

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, 

always having sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."

2 Corinthians 9:8

Grace has been described as having the unmerited favor of God. Grace has been a recurring theme for me these last few days. I was lying awake two nights ago when I thought of what it means to bestow that same unmerited favor onto other - to be a living, breathing epistle of His grace and mercy. 

"My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness." 

2 Corinthians 12:9

One of the hardest things to do is to bestow grace onto someone who may not deserve it; but as Christians, it is not our place to judge. It is to simply love others as He loves us. (John 13:34) The beautiful thing about grace is that it can be absolutely scandalous, allowing us to do the impossible, forgive the unforgivable, love the unlovable. What right do I have to withhold the gift of grace from anyone when I have an unlimited supply of it?

When grace steps in, things like fear, doubt, judgment, and criticism have to take a hike because in the end, grace wins!

Sitting at His feet,
Valarie