This is our final week of Bible studies until the first week of January. Helen is providing something to snack on at Common Grounds (tomorrow night at 6:30). The next morning at 9:30 Carol R. is bringing snacks for The Perk. I hope you're able to join us at one of the studies. (They both meet at the church.)
Don't forget about our De-Deck the Sanctuary party on Friday, January 2nd at 6 PM. Bring $5 for pizza and soda and help us put the decorations away for another year. As soon as that is done, we'll have a game night at the church, beginning around 7. Bring a snack to share, along with a game. It's a fun way to start out the New Year together.
Here's a blog post sent to me by a loyal reader. I think most of us can identify!
How to Create Margin in Your Life…During Christmas Season?
This is such a busy time of year. The chaos has hit and I’m already feeling stressed out and almost wishing Christmas would hurry up and get over. I don’t want to be the kind of person…the one that wishes the time away and regrets it later.
The problem and solution came to me as I pulled into my garage the other night. I could barely fit my car into the sliver of a parking space that was greatly reduced because my husband or maybe my 15 year old son had taken up far too much room with the other car in our garage. I literally only had a 1/2 inch clearance on the driver side with my mirrors folded in and had to take extra caution and time to make sure I did not side swipe my husband’s car. When I walked in the door all visions of “happy” family time went out the window because I had to practically crawl out the car window to get into the house. Why was I so irritated, mad and grumpy??? I had been left with no wiggle room and it left me feeling stressed out which lead to me being highly irritated, mad and really grumpy. All because I had no margin.
What is “margin?” “Margin is the space between our load and our limits. It is the amount allowed beyond that which is needed. It is something held in reserve for contingencies or unanticipated situations. Margin is the gap between rest and exhaustion, the space between breathing freely and suffocating.” Richard Swenson, author of Margin.
This time of year, our “margin” is greatly reduced as we strive for perfection when buying gifts, dressing for holiday parties, decorating Christmas trees, hanging holiday lights, baking cookies….the list is endless! We feel the squeeze from our circumstances, commitments, and pressure from others. We most certainly get tired, exhausted, maxed out and have little to no reserve for unanticipated opportunities that come our way.
So how do we create “margin” in our lives during this time of year? I think it starts by having the right heart attitude so we are ready to say “yes” to the significant things and “no” to the insignificant things.
Jesus offers us insight on this topic in Matthew 6:19-21. This passage of scripture is part of what is known as the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus is encouraging and admonishing believers on how to live. This truth has helped me create margin by knowing when to say “yes” and when to say “no.”
“Do not store up for ourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
To “store up treasures in heaven” basically mean our heart attitude it to be rich toward God. This passage is reminding us to say “yes” to the significant things which have eternal value and no to the insignificant which are temporary.
Let’s actively protect our “margin” so we have time say “yes” to the significant and have the courage to say “no” to the insignificant. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
I’d love to hear your ideas on how to create “margin” this Christmas season! What are some significant and insignificant things that you have struggled with?
The post How to Create Margin in Your Life…During Christmas Season? appeared first onFor the Joy of It.
Until next time,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcracft@gmail.com 971-285-6699
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