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.”

It’s a beautiful thought—but let’s be honest for a moment.

Sometimes the world doesn’t just feel big… it feels overwhelming. The needs are endless. The hurt is real. And in the middle of it all, it’s easy to wonder: What difference could I possibly make?

A small kindness. A quiet prayer. A moment of patience when you’re already stretched thin. It can all feel… insignificant.

But here’s the truth Scripture gently reminds us of again and again:

God has always done His greatest work through what seems small.

God Notices What Others Overlook
Jesus paints this picture so clearly—something as simple as offering a cup of cold water matters. Not because it’s big or impressive, but because it’s done in love.

Nothing done with a sincere heart goes unseen. Not by Him.

What feels like “just a small thing” to you? Heaven sees it differently. Heaven calls it meaningful. Valuable. Eternal.

Small Doesn’t Stay Small in God’s Hands
Think about a seed. Tiny. Easy to miss. Almost forgettable.

And yet, Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like that—a mustard seed that starts small but grows into something strong, sheltering, and life-giving.

That small act of kindness you almost didn’t do?
That encouraging word you weren’t sure mattered?

Those are seeds.

And you may never see what grows from them—but that doesn’t mean nothing is growing.

It All Adds Up—More Than You Realize
We often think impact has to be loud or visible to matter. But Scripture reminds us that every part plays a role. Every act of obedience, no matter how quiet, contributes to something bigger.

A prayer whispered in private.
A sacrifice no one applauds.
A moment of grace when frustration would have been easier.

These are the drops that fill the ocean.

And without them? Something would be missing.

Your Life Is Full of “Drops” That Matter
It’s in the everyday moments:

• The smile you give when someone least expects it

• The patience you show when you’re running low

• The text you send just to check in

• The choice to keep showing up, even when you feel unseen

These things may not feel extraordinary—but they are deeply impactful.

God isn’t asking you to be everything. He’s asking you to be faithful in something.

And He promises that nothing done in love is ever wasted.

So Don’t Stop Now
You may never fully see the ripple effect of your life. Most of us won’t.

But that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

God sees every drop.
God uses every drop.
And the world is fuller, richer, and more touched by His love because you chose to give yours.

So keep going.
Keep loving.
Keep showing up.

Because your “small” is exactly what God uses to do something big.

Resources:

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Serving God in Everyday Tasks: A Faith‑Filled Approach to Cleaning

5 Ways Cleaning Can Become an Act of Worship

Cleaning may not feel spiritual at first glance, but Scripture reminds us that obedience is often practiced in ordinary places. When approached with intention, even housework can become a quiet act of worship.

1. Work with Purpose, Not Applause
Cleaning is rarely noticed, but faithfulness doesn’t require recognition. God honors the heart behind the work, even when no one else sees it.

2. Practice Gratitude While You Work
Each task becomes an opportunity to thank God—for shelter, provision, and the ability to care for what He has given. Gratitude shifts the focus from obligation to stewardship.

3. Embrace Humility in Hidden Work
There is formation in doing what feels small. Serving without praise mirrors Christlike humility and trains the heart toward obedience.

4. Create Order as an Act of Care
Bringing order to a space is one small reflection of God’s restoring nature. A peaceful environment helps cultivate rest, clarity, and hospitality.

5. End with Rest, Not Perfection
Worship also means knowing when to stop. Finishing your work and receiving rest acknowledges trust—that God does not require perfection, only faithfulness.

Scripture says in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” That verse doesn’t come with exceptions. It doesn’t say only the important work, the visible work, or the rewarding work. It says whatever you do. Even cleaning.

When I wipe down the counters or fold towels, I’m reminded that God cares about faithfulness long before He cares about recognition. No one applauds a clean bathroom. No one keeps score of vacuum lines in the carpet—except my cat Patty, who still refuses to forgive the vacuum for existing. But God sees the heart behind the effort. He sees the willingness to serve, even when the service is quiet and unseen.

There’s something grounding about turning disorder into order. As I clean, I think about how God does the same work in us—patiently, steadily, often in ways that aren’t flashy. A cluttered space becomes calm with a few intentional steps. A home feels lighter when it’s been cared for. In a small way, cleaning reminds me that God is always restoring, renewing, and bringing peace where there was chaos before.

Even the little things hold meaning. The fresh scent of grapefruit cleaner feels like a reset. The steady hum of the vacuum marks progress. Each folded towel is a reminder that discipline and consistency matter, even when no one notices. I’m not earning grace or proving worth—I’m simply offering my effort as a form of gratitude for what I’ve already been given.

Even the simplest tasks can reflect reverence when they are offered with a willing heart.

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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