Lending a Helping Hand During the Holidays

 The holidays have a way of bringing life’s contrasts into sharp focus—joy and loneliness, warmth and weariness, abundance and need. Amid the twinkling lights and familiar melodies, we’re invited into something deeper than festivities: an opportunity to reveal the heart of Christ through kindness and compassion.

Seeing the Needs Around Us

While December often feels like a blur of errands, gatherings, and to-do lists, Scripture encourages us to slow down and see people.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2

A burden carried alone can feel crushing, but when shared, it becomes lighter. Often the people around us—family, neighbors, coworkers—carry silent struggles. A simple gesture of support may be the very thing that reminds them they are not forgotten.

Kindness as an Offering to God

Helping others doesn’t need to be elaborate or expensive. It can be a warm meal delivered to someone grieving, a heartfelt note to someone who feels invisible, a donation to a local charity, or spending time with a lonely friend.
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” — Hebrews 13:16

These small acts echo God’s generosity. Every moment of compassion becomes a quiet, holy offering.

Reflecting the Heart of Jesus

When we love others, we reflect Jesus Himself. He consistently moved toward those in need—healing, feeding, comforting, and offering hope.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.” — Matthew 25:40

Serving others during the holidays isn’t just seasonal kindness—it’s spiritual alignment. It is choosing to make room for the heart of God in our daily moments.

Letting Your Light Shine

The most meaningful giving often happens quietly, without applause. And yet, its impact ripples far beyond what we can see. A warm blanket on a cold night, a gift card slipped into someone's hand, or volunteering a few hours can become a spark of hope in someone’s winter.

This year, may your holiday season be marked not just by celebration, but by compassion. May your hands be generous, your heart be open, and your love reflect the One who came to bring light to the world.

And as you lend a helping hand, may you also feel God’s tender presence guiding, blessing, and filling your spirit with peace.

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A Drop That Matters: Finding Purpose in the Small Things

 “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

These words remind us that even the smallest act of love carries eternal weight. Still, it’s easy to look at the world—its needs, its hurts, its enormity—and feel terribly small. What difference could my words, my kindness, my obedience possibly make?

Scripture answers that question again and again: God delights in using the small, the humble, the seemingly insignificant.

God Sees the Drops We Don’t

Jesus tells us that even something as simple as offering a cup of cold water matters:
“And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” — Matthew 10:42

A cup of water—a tiny drop—yet Jesus honors it. It is seen. It is treasured. It is kingdom work.

Small Seeds Become God-Sized Harvests

Jesus also reminds us that big things often begin quietly:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed… though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows it is the largest of garden plants.” — Matthew 13:31–32

Your small act of faith may be the seed God grows into shelter for someone else’s weary heart.

The Ocean of God’s Work Is Built Drop by Drop

When Paul writes about the body of Christ, he emphasizes that every part matters—no matter how hidden or humble:
“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you.’” — 1 Corinthians 12:21
In other words, the ocean of God’s goodness is made up of countless small obedience, quiet sacrifices, whispered prayers, unseen kindnesses.

Take even one of those away, and the whole becomes less.

Your Drop Has Purpose

Your smile at a stranger.
Your prayer for a friend.
Your gentle word when someone expected frustration.
Your patience in a hard moment.
Your willingness to keep showing up even when you feel invisible.

These are drops heaven sees.

God does not measure our impact by size but by faithfulness. And He promises that nothing done in love is ever wasted:
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9

Keep Pouring Your Drop Into the World

You may never know the full effect of the good you’ve done. Most of us won’t. But God knows. God sees. God uses every drop.

And the ocean of His love—reaching, healing, restoring—would be missing something without the part He entrusted to you.

So keep going.
Keep giving.
Keep loving.
Your drop matters more than you think.

Resources:

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The Enchanted Art of House Cleaning: Turning Chores into Everyday Magic

Once upon a time, in a kingdom not so far away—perhaps just beyond the laundry pile and the dust bunny colony—there lived a brave soul armed with a dust mop, a sponge, and an optimistic playlist. The quest? To restore peace and sparkle to the realm known as Home Sweet Home.

Cleaning can be mundane but I think we can agree, we feel better when our house is clean.

Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

Think about it: with just a few swipes of a cloth, I turn chaos into calm. A cluttered counter becomes a stage for creativity. The smell of Mr. Clean "Clean Freak" cleaner in grapefruit scent is a potion of renewal, and the hum of the vacuum—why, that’s the song of victory echoing through the halls!  My cat Patty doesn't appreciate the vacuum's song.

Every dust mote I chase is like a tiny fairy fleeing back to the land of forgotten corners. Every freshly folded towel feels like a triumph of order over entropy. I'm not just tidying—I'm transforming energy. I'm conducting a symphony of scents, textures, and light with a few sneezes when the dust tickles my nose.

Of course, there are moments when the quest feels perilous. When the laundry basket seems bottomless, or the kitchen sink insists on refilling itself as if by sorcery. That’s when I must remember: even fairy tales have dragons. Ours just happen to look like greasy stovetops, mystery stains, and enough camping gear to fill a REI store.

But oh, the satisfaction when it’s done! The house exhales. The air shimmers with peace. You light a candle, make a cup of tea, and suddenly the world feels right again. I've turned effort into comfort, and motion into mindfulness.

So, the next time you pick up a duster or scrub a stubborn spot, imagine you’re a magician in your own cottage—casting spells of harmony, one sparkle at a time.  If you don't feel magical, crank up your playlist with some extra fun tunes to help pass the time.

And when you finally collapse on the couch, surrounded by the glow of your handiwork, I think to myself:

“… another happy ending, until next weekend!"

Resources:

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What I've Been Reading - A Slight Change of Pace

I was an avid reader growing up.  While in college, I spent most of my time reading textbooks.  In my adult years, I decided to get back into reading and I remember buying one of the very first Kindles - back when they were black and white and all you could do on them was read books.

I've always enjoyed mysteries, especially those by Sherlock Holmes.  I cannot recall how many times I've read "The Red Headed League" or "The Hounds of the Baskervilles" both in tangible book form and e-books.

I got into a habit of reading a lot of "self-help" books with so many of them being weight loss fads, diets, and trends.  I recently finished The Mountain is You which I definitely recommend if you are like me and struggle with worry, fear, and other self-sabotaging behaviors.

Since my vacation in mid-October, I've started reading more for enjoyment than help or learning.  

Free through Prime Reading, I obtained the book Lotus. When I first started reading the book where a young man returns to his childhood neighborhood after being kidnapped as a child, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it.  It was classified as "dark romance" as Oliver, the young man who had been kidnapped, had a lot to work through which he did while also falling in love with his childhood friend Sydney.  There was a happy ending; I don't want to spoil it for you.

I'm signed up for the Gemma Halliday Publishing mailing list and I have the opportunity to get free Kindle books and I recently read two books from her publishing company.

My Old Kentucky Homicide is part of the "Bourbon B&B" series.  Yes, a recovering alcoholic can read books set in "bourbon" country as long as you enjoy a cup of tea and not bourbon while reading.  This story is about a new bed & breakfast started by two of three sisters named "Three Sisters." The sister who lived in DC came in to help her sisters during opening weekend.  The guests for the weekend were from a group reviewing the B&B for possible admission into a tourism co-op. One of the guests was a cranky gentleman sending bad vibes in the lobby as the guests arrived for the weekend.  The man cited a migraine and laid down for a nap prior to a tour of a barrel factory. When arriving for the tour, the man seemed unwell.  When the tour bus returned the guests to the B&B after the tour, the man was found dead.  The death of a guest along with family drama among the sisters made for story that was hard to stop reading. I will not give any spoilers as to how it ends.

My son and his wife have a dachshund named Mabel and I enjoy taking her for "walkies" whenever I have the opportunity.  My wiener dog grand-pup lead me to choose Pups, Pumpkins and Murder.  I just finished this book and very much enjoyed it.  I might have also enjoyed a pumpkin spice cocoa during one of my reading sessions. My husband found pumpkin spice cocoa k-cups on manager's special at Kroger.  Anyhow, this as another book that was hard to put down.  The main character Samantha or Sam and her wiener dog Porkchop seem to find themselves in the middle of police investigations and that is how Sam met her detective boyfriend Hank.  The community of Wings Falls was having a fall festival to raise money for a camp that helps inner city youth.  There were costume contests for children and pets, a barbeque contest, and a 2,000 pound pumpkin.  Again, I won't spoil it for you other than to suggest that you do not put lavender oil in your pulled pork and that a 2,000 pound pumpkin should be securely tethered to flatbed so it doesn't fall off.  

If you're interested to learn what else I've read, you can find me on Goodreads.  

Imagine a Country of Courage and Compassion

Imagine a country whose citizens—and even its leaders—are brave, calm, and open toward one another. A nation where people listen before they speak, seek to understand before they argue, and extend grace before judgment. 

What would it look like if we all recognized that every human being belongs to the same family? That no matter where we live, what we believe, or how we appear on the surface, the same light flickers within us all.

It’s a powerful vision, yet it begins not in government halls or global treaties—but in the quiet chambers of the human heart. Real change, the kind that heals and unites, doesn’t come through force or policy. It comes through consciousness: an awakening to who we truly are and what we are capable of when love guides our actions.

Imagine leaders who lead not with fear, but with calm strength. Citizens who respond to crisis not with panic, but with peace. Communities that choose compassion over competition.

When we rise above our divisions and remember our shared humanity, we plant seeds for a new world—a country of courage and kindness, grounded in truth and open-hearted awareness.

Perhaps the greatest revolution is not political at all, but spiritual—a change of heart that reminds us we are one people, created to walk this journey together.

So today, let us begin where we are. Let us embody that courage, calm, and openness in our daily lives. For the country we imagine can only come to life through the consciousness we carry within us.

Resources:

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