Love and the frenzy of the Holidays......

So, the other day I shared a funny e-mail from my inbox......now, here's another e-mail I wanted to share, although it's not funny. But it is an excellent read. I do find humor in the fact that God can use whatever means he wants to get my attention.......the internet? You mean God uses e-mail? Yes, my friend he does, in fact.

No, they aren't signed by God, or sent from a web address labeled "hisholymajesty@heavenlynews.com"......nope....but He's the one out there that's making them find their way to my inbox. A word of encouragement, a short note to make me smile, a joke or photo that makes me laugh out loud, or a scripture that I needed at just that time........ Sometimes he "signs" them using the name of one of our friends or family....a clever disguise. :) And other times they come from random....although I guess, in the grand scheme of things, it's not so random. It's Him....and he's anything but random.

At any rate, He "sent" this to my inbox and it very nicely stepped on my toes. And there's nothing more true than the last line.......here's hoping Temple will forgive the fact that I have lost another set of pearl earrings.....but I am most thankful for Temple's gift of love, that endures, and that I can't lose when it falls into an air vent. :)

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style
©By Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family - It profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

LOVE stops the cooking to hug the child.

LOVE sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

LOVE is kind, though harried and tired.

LOVE doesn't envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

LOVE doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.

LOVE doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

LOVE bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

LOVE never fails. Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.