Sunday Reflections
Happy Sunday before Christmas Day! Welcome to my weekly lifestyle post called Sunday Reflections.
My Sunday Reflections include pondering the week ahead…which often gives me the greatest joy of the year and the greatest sadness at the same time.
My greatest joy always centers around family and the reason for the season, celebrating Christ.
I love to arise and prepare the Christmas Day breakfast and then sit with a warm beverage and watch the gift opening.
I enjoy more giving the gifts than receiving them.
This year we will not all be together as we have been in the past…and that is my deepest sadness of the week.
Of course, I am not a fan of December 26 either when it is all over…the season goes so quickly and into January will be put into boxes and packed away again.
But, I never pack away my joy or my hope that next year we will all celebrate together again.
I do have other Sunday Reflections on my mind today, so join me as I share a few thoughts.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: EMAIL UPDATE
I designed a new logo this week.
The one with pink flowers was nice, but not really me.
I was motivated to design a new one, because I have decided to use a new email service and hope to set it up soon.
It grieves me that so many of you have experienced problems with email, so I hope this will remedy those issues.
I ask for patience because as I discontinue one service and set up the new, there may be a few kinks, so after I tell you we are official with the new, let me know if you are receiving it.
We may have to sign up some of you again, but I will be on top of it.
End of year is a good time to make a major change like this…please know that I hear you and I am responding.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: GIGI’S HOUSE
Most of you know that I am spending ALOT more time with my three grandsons now.
Most often, I will have fruit and yogurt and peanut butter for them to snack on
However, the holidays are a bit more fun…and this one is eating Blue Belle’s Christmas Cookie Ice Cream (Which is a big hit with this crowd) and watching...Bluey, of course.
I agree to have more sugary fun during this time….they don’t eat the snowmen on top of the cinnamon roll, but they squeal when they see it.
Every day they are hear I give them JUICE PLUS CHEWIES, which cover their fruits and veggies for the day.
After Christmas, we will return to the healthier options of treats…these guys can eat mass quantities of blueberries!
I am pleased that when they settle into a visit, they ask for Juice Plus.
I do not work for Juice Plus. I wanted you to know about it.
Mr. B and I take our food supplements daily and have for years.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: FLEXIBILITY
Flexibility has always been difficult for me.
I often make lists and plan my days ahead of time…so when spur-of-the-moment requests hit, there are times I do not respond well.
Now that I live in a new place where I am needed for different reasons, I am practicing flexibility with a smile.
For me this often takes prayer.
Last week I shared about the plumbing, well, this week, I have been without my car…it got sick and has been at the “doctor” for days.
That also requires flexibility…but I am getting better about accepting that I am not in charge.
Christmastime helps with this, because I can focus on that sweet little teenager who was told by an angel that she would be the mother of God’s Son without being with a man.
Mary asked questions as anyone would, but then responded: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.”
She is such a good example for me. When the day’s needs present themselves not on my daytimer, I want to say “I am the Lord’s servant.”
And in Luke 1 beginning in verse 46, you may also be encouraged by Mary’s Song:
46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
Just remember…historians believe she was around 14…so much maturity, faith and courage at that age…with God’s help, I can show the same.
Thank you for joining me for Sunday Reflections today…
I will be here this week and hope there will be blessings ahead for all of us.
Until then….
STAY STRONG & KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.
The new logo looks fantastic, and I look forward to seeing it arrive in my inbox! Like you, I struggle with flexibility and need it more this week than ever. I decided to have a new showerhead installed in my guest bathroom before houseguests arrive January 1st. Due to the age of my plumbing, this resulted in the pipe breaking off in the wall between the shower and a hall closet I use to store all my coats and outerwear, along with saved gift boxes and gifts I’ve stashed for “just in case” or upcoming birthdays. They had to knock out the closet wall to make the necessary repairs, and of course everything got soaked. The contents have filled my entire hallway, and wet items are hanging all over the house. Now I have to wait for a carpenter to replace the wall before the closet rod can be rehung and all those items replaced. I’m trying to find humor in this situation, and to work around this mess with as much grace and patience as I can muster, but huge home repair bills were not on my radar screen for Christmas week. I know I will find joy and inspiration in your posts about your family’s first holiday in your new home, and I hope you will enjoy it, even as you miss the San Antonio crew and those sweet new babies. Hope you get to visit them again soon!
Oh my! Reading about your plumbing issues, Pam and now Aggie Mom’s experiences I’m worried as I sit here in my ancient house with 12 degree am temperatures outside. I think we are well insulated here but its an eye popping thought! What if?? Prayers that troubles are resolved.
Loved today’s blog, otherwise, and happily await Christmas day. Blessings to all!
What a lovely Sunday morning reflection. Mary’s story is always a thought provoking one on many levels. I love your new design, and your closing thoughts on the new season (in the red box) are beautiful. I will paint something appropriate in my watercolor journal, copy it in, and attribute it to you. I am trying to be flexible (somewhat hard for a Virgo and former teacher with a lesson plan book) as we head to Québec City with only two of our 3 children. Next year we will be together again. By the way, we are facing cold weather; 0* keeps popping up on my weather app! The St. Lawrence River also will add in its gusty winds. I want to wish you, Pamela, and all of your trusty readers, a Blessed and wonderful Christmas in case I don’t have a chance to respond for a few days. I enjoy you all.
Oh Lorri, My heart goes out to you…especially with what we recently went through. This past week my car went down and has been in the shop for days…I hope to get it back tomorrow. I prayed for you upon reading your comment. Storms happen, but God promises to see us through the storms and I pray He will see you through this one with peace. He never leaves us nor forsakes us.
And blessings to you, Paulette.Don’t borrow trouble, just do what you can to prevent it. We had a huge plumbing problem at the San Antonio house over the last few years, but with insurance help it ended up leading to a remodeled master bath that everyone loves.
Thank you, Deborah. I pray that your trip is a safe one and your celebration a joyous one. I am honored to be a part of your watercolor journal!
So glad to hear that I may soon have you in my emails. I have missed you every morning! Christmas is definitely different at my house this year….my daughter, granddaughter and I have COVID and even though we will be out of quarantine, the weakness isn’t allowing me to do very much. For the first time ever, we will be going to a Chinese buffet for Christmas dinner! That’s all that is open in our little county but everyone loves Chinese food, so it’s all good. No gifts wrapped yet, but hopefully I will manage to get the granddaughters wrapped today. Celebrating my Jesus’ birthday is what’s most important. Merry Christmas to you and your dear family.
Yes, celebrating the Savior’s birthday is what is most important..I am sure your family understands..and yes to Chinese food anytime. Take care of yourself…your health matters most right now.
I love your Sunday Reflections and today is maybe my favorite yet. Your new logo is so elegant. You are multi talented. The photo of your grandson gazing at your Christmas tree is precious. And flexibility! Its something I pray for every day. I have always been a planner, organized and unhappy when life throws me a curve. I’m considering Flexible my word for 2025, I wish I could choose Spontaneous but that’s so far from my nature. I’m the oldest of 6 kids so that may have something to do with it. I pray daily for trust in God’s will like Mary. The Magnificat is a powerful prayer. If you like classical music the Boston Camerata (Joel Cohen) does a gorgeous version of it in Latin on “A Renaissance Christmas” which is available on Spotify. The album is part of a series of 3: Medieval, Renaissance & Baroque Christmas. I had it first on cassette tape, then on CD and now I can also enjoy it on Spotify. I know this kind of music is not to everyone’s taste. I was in choirs from grade school through grad school. Merry Christmas.
I was in choirs as well, Kathie…thank you for the recommendation…something I would love. I had not considered Flexible as a word of the year, but perhaps I should! I will add it to the list. Happy Sunday1
So fun to see others thinking about and choosing their word for the new year! My word for 2024 was Hope and it was so meaningful and so appropriate that for the first time ever, I’ve decided to keep it as my word for another year. I do love the idea of Flexible too. In my morning prayers I often ask the Lord to help me be flexible enough to adjust my plans to be in accordance with His.
Love your flexibility prayer, Elaine! And hope is always a powerful word!
I loved this Sunday Reflections. The scripture you included was the text for the sermon at our church this morning! I struggle with flexibility, too. I’m a planner and am often not pleased when things go awry, but I’m working on it – getting better, I hope!
Yes we have to stay flexible especially this time of year. I feel we are all so busy that we don’t have the time or money for unexpected things to happen to us. I like your attitude though and keep praying. We will get through this.
Enjoy this Christmas week.
The scripture you posted was the basis for my minister’s sermon this morning. When you think Mary’s response to the challenge she was given, it leaves one awestruck. Her response of praise & love was so beautiful.
I like the new logo, & I believe it is more representative of who you are.
We can all work on it together, Barb! Thanks for being here and sharing.
Thank you, Paula…you as well.
Thank you, Becky. So do I!
A very Merry Christmas to you Pam, and to all of your readers out there. Flexibility, adaptability, resilience: all terms reminding us to trust in God and be gentle with ourselves. A little humor can help. Hope it’s a great week for everyone.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thanks for sharing Mary’s song. I read it often through out the year.
Really like the new logo.
Flexibility is a necessity for me as a care giver and I am amazed how God is my strength.
Blessings always
I agree, Mary! I support a dash of humor every day!
His strength always amazes me too, Audrey!