How To Be Invited Back Over

December 17, 2015December 18, 2015 RefreshHerLeave a comment

In a week you’ll be nearly all packed and ready to head to the family Christmas gathering, but will the family Christmas gathering be ready for you? What I mean is, does your family entering the doors make everyone hold their breath?

You might adore your “rambunctious children,” and make light of their rowdiness, but when they go tearing through Aunt Linda’s house, oblivious to her belongings, to other’s privacy or the work she spent getting the house just right for the gathering, your presence might not create the delightful day for her that it is to you.

The truth is, holiday gatherings can cause friction, and often it’s caused by guests that aren’t as gracious as they could be. As you prepare to head over to someone else’s home – whether they’re relatives or friends, could I encourage you to consider others as you head into their home? Here are a few tips about being a gracious guest that we ALL need to heed:

Arrive on time. Don’t get there after the meal has been served or everyone is seated. Be a little early – ten minutes is good.
Be prepared to help. See what needs to be done with the meal or clean up and lend a hand.
Be appreciative. Let your hosts know how thankful you are for them opening their home – even if it’s your mom and “she always hosts us for holidays!” When it’s your turn, you’ll know what a hero she really is!
Take a hostess gift. Suggestions are here on this post.
Talk to your children before you go. Give them restrictions about what rooms are off limits, as well as what kind of behavior is acceptable. We know you love your child, but be nice and train your child so others will love him too! =)
Don’t stay too long. Know when things are winding down (that’s before children are crabby and doors are slammed!) and make a gracious exit. Before leaving, have your children clean up any messes they made in their play areas. There’s nothing like finding your child’s room torn apart after guests are gone!
Send a thank you note to your hostess. Swift gratitude is the sweetest. I recently had to apologize for an overdue note! Shame on me!

A little thinking and planning ahead, along with instructing your children will make your family gathering a happy time for both you and your host. And they won’t think twice about inviting you back!

What suggestions do you have for being a gracious guest?

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Christmas

Open Eyes, Open Doors

December 15, 2015December 17, 2015 RefreshHer7 Comments

Isn’t it easy especially at Christmas to be focused on self? We can easily be consumed with all that we still need to do – buy, wrap, bake, write, attend, host and clean, that we become task oriented instead of people oriented. The whole reason for Christmas – that Christ came to give His life a ransom for the world, bespeaks the fact that we, too, are to focus on PEOPLE.

The line of people ahead of us at the grocery store are delays while we wait, instead of opportunities to give the Gospel. The cashier is the end of our wait, instead of a person who needs the Good News that we have to share.

Our focus can even be turned so much to the small circle around us that we don’t see the opportunities that are at our fingertips. Aside from the public strangers we meet, we may also know others who may be especially tender and open to the Gospel right now. Who are they?

Those that are hurting due to a loved ones’ death in the past year are even more desperate during the holidays.
Those that are sick, or waiting on a sick loved one at the hospital, are even more lonely or anxious.
Those that are financially hurting really feel the crunch now, when not only are they trying to make ends meet, but they’re also trying to come up with a little extra to purchase gifts for their families.
See the need – a meal, a monetary gift, a gift purchased and do it.

Do you know anyone in any of those three categories? I’m sure we all do. How about praying about what you could do to serve and minister to them this next week? What to do?

Send a card – not a generic Christmas card, but one that is especially suited to their need.
Call them or go to their home and have prayer with them.
Take a gift that would comfort them.
- Did they lose a loved one? Do you have a picture of that loved one you could enlarge and frame?
- Give an ornament that would be a keepsake of that person so they could hang it on their tree every year in memory of their loved one.
- If you know someone who’s lost a baby, an ornament for that little one is an earthly reminder that they exist.
Spend time visiting with them. Read Scripture to them.
Give them the Gospel – the Hope of the Christmas!

I’m asking the Lord to open my eyes, not to my “To-Do list,” but to the people around me so that I might use this wonderful season to minister to their needs – the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Will you join me in praying for open eyes and open doors?

Lovingly,

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Christmas

Are We Really Celebrating Christmas?

December 8, 2015December 8, 2015 RefreshHer2 Comments

After being gone for a few days last week, I came home and realized it was now December! Ahhh! I literally felt like the Christmas train was puffing its way speedily down the track and I was running behind the caboose, trying desperately to catch a ride!

It seems like December gets filled up before we can even take a breath! But with all the busyness, let’s be reminded that the single thing we need more than a personal shopper or an extra few hours on each day, is to really celebrate our Savior coming to earth to die for us. It’s easy to be so busy that we forget and we really miss the opportunity to personally celebrate Christmas

Consider this:

If our schedule rushes us through our daily Quiet time and Bible reading, will we really have celebrated Christmas?

If our Christmas list includes everyone but Christ, will we really have celebrated Christmas?

If our agenda makes us cross and short-tempered will we really have celebrated Christmas?

If our busyness causes us to miss church will we really have celebrated Christmas?

If our preoccupation keeps us from giving the Hope of the Gospel will we really have celebrated Christmas?

Let’s celebrate Christmas every day by making Christ the center of every moment, every gathering, every conversation, every gift – every day in December.

Merry Christmas!

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Christmas · Crafting

Time to Buy!

August 21, 2015August 21, 2015 RefreshHer6 Comments

I was at Hobby Lobby yesterday and noticed that all their Christmas merchandise is OUT! Of course, if you’re a crafter you have to get started early! But you know what else? If you want to the “the good stuff” you have to shop early! I saw these ornaments there that are really hard to find once the Holiday season rolls in.

These are great for putting a graduation tassel in and hanging on the tree. What happens to everyone’s graduation tassels, anyway? Most are probably buried in the bottom of a cedar chest. If you had a recent graduate in your home, why not make them a special ornament, unless, of course, their tassel is hanging from their rear view mirror (ha!). I’m showing my age!

There are other cute craft ornament ideas, like this…

Another cute christmas idea Cute babies first Christmas ornament Idea!

But you’ll need particular ornaments to make these, sooooo, this is your friendly reminder to head to Hobby Lobby, or your local craft store and pick up the items NOW that you need to make them. Bonus! Hobby Lobby’s Christmas items are 40% off this week!

What will you be crafting for Christmas?