Women of Promise

     During this week between Christmas and New Year's Day, I try to set up my planner for the coming new year. Sometimes the planner is an old-fashioned paper calendar and plain old notebook.  Sometimes it is a fancy, shmancy planner with all of the bells and whistles. Increasingly, it is more and more on my phone or tablet as certain apps help keep my spaghetti noodle brain somewhat straight.  I set goals.  I menu plan. I set up cleaning schedules.  I revamp the chore list. I visualize all of the areas that I need to improve. I make lists -- endless lists. 😂 Each year I get excited about all of the great things I will accomplish as I look at the new and improved me that will be if I follow each of these goals out in the coming weeks.       Sometimes some of these goals do actually happen, and I love to look back  at areas of self-improvement.  I have a moment of pride and pat myself on the back.  I may even brag ab...

Image source: getwallpapers.com        Merry Christmas!  This beautiful season has been full of beautiful reminders of what Jesus's birth means to the people of God.  I have been blessed as I have meditated on the wonder of God giving His Only Son to be born in full humanity to a humble, blessed virgin girl.  The plan of redemption was set in motion with this glorious event.  This simple, poorly-written little piece is just a bit of the swirl of thoughts going through my mind this Christmas season.  Our Faithful Father, full of grace and love is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving, at Christmas and always! Merry Christmas! Promise Fulfilled To Adam and Eve In shame and guilt hidden, Grace was extended; A promise was given. The penalty: death. No sin enters heaven To rescue man's plight A promise was given. To Abram's children Count the stars twinkling gold Honoring the faithful, A promise foretold. In Providence wise Joseph, to Egypt driven...

  Image source: telling-secrets.blogspot.com     Many of us can think of a person in our lives who is always in tune with the needs of others, frequently putting their own needs or concerns on the back burner to minister to the person in front of them.   Confession: often, I am so absorbed in my own thoughts and situation that I fail to see the needs of the person right in front of me.  It's an area that God is working on in my heart. Elizabeth is a wonderful example of sharing grace with others.      During the Christmas season, frequently we read about Mary going to visit her cousin Elizabeth. This story is recorded for us in Luke 1.  I personally, love to picture that meeting. We don't know the exact age difference, but we do know that Mary was, most likely, a very young girl.  We don't know Elizabeth's age, but she was past the age that most would expect her to bear children.  Despite their age difference, they must ha...