January blues?

19 Jan 2018 Leave a comment

by Minstrels wife in blessing, Christian Worship, Christianity, Christmas, Church, God, love, Prayer, reflection, religion, Uncategorized

I wonder why January is such a bad month for so many of us? I know most of us have nearly impoverished ourselves trying to make the perfect Christmas yet again. Maybe we spent another year without making the perfect feast, maybe it’s the darker days with nights still so long, maybe something more.

I know there won’t be all that many of us ending 2017 in a much better place financially or emotionally than we did the year before. How many grew as a person or as a parent? Did we learn from mistakes previously made and promised we wouldn’t do again? How much pressure do we put on ourselves in January to make a difference, losing weight, looking into expanding in our careers, being a better and more caring person, reading 20 chapters a day of the Bible, praying 3 hours a day?

This pressure on our self is so self destructive, and can leave us feeling a bit of a failure really. What for? Why do it? We have the whole year to make small changes to help our lives be more productive and satisfying. Slowly starting a new hobby. Losing those extra few pounds in a more sustainable and enjoyable way. Spending a few extra hours with the family and friends. Trying an extra few minutes a week, and building time up if we can, in reading the Word and taking some time with God. It shouldn’t be a burden. So, don’t make it one.

Enjoy January.

Christmas again?

20 Dec 2017 Leave a comment

by Minstrels wife in blessing, Christianity, Christmas, Church, God, Jesus, love, religion, Uncategorized

I know I’m getting older, and I don’t mean my age, but by how quickly each end of year comes round. No-one told me that once I became a “proper” adult, that most of the excitement of the Christmas season would disappear, replaced with manic stress, crowd pushing, trolley diving chaos.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love the whole of this season. I love the lights and music. There is a feeling that we all get at Christmas that can’t be put into words, it’s just there and has been for as long as we can remember. Once we get to the big day and all stuffed and feeling slightly more chubby than when we woke up, I have a sense of regret that I allowed stress to get in the way of my enjoying what this last month of the year brings. Another year that I let other stuff invade all the emotions and excitement.

Well, I tell myself, not next year, not again.

I want to be with my children, my hubby, my cats, my family and just be. Just taking some time to enjoy those around me and time that I can spend with them.

What better time of the year is there that I can do all this? The time where we think of each other, want to give to each person we love, think of Christ and why He came, celebrate and rejoice.