The Gift

I hope you got everything on your Christmas list. I hope you were able to give what your heart desired to those that you love the most. I hope that this Christmas morning has brought you joy and happy memories. I hope that you are feeling loved and blessed because you are loved and blessed. I hope that you are reminded that God sent his son to die for you, and that is the greatest gift that you could receive this holiday season. I hope that you remember that you are a gift to all those around you. Merry Christmas! 

Jubilee

Celebrate the small victories. You woke up this morning. You made it home safe. There is food on your table, clothes on your back, and a roof over your head. You didn't get in that accident you should have when you were paying more attention to your phone than the highway. You didn't get sick when you ate what you weren't supposed to have in the first place. Your co-worker didn't work your last nerve today. You actually made it to the gym. Every day is full of blessings, we don't always acknowledge. Every day you wake up is a jubilee, because someone didn't. Don't be so hard on yourself. Cherish the time you spend with family and friends. Savor the life that God has given you. 

Party

'Tis the Season. It's Christmas Time. It's my favorite time of year. The invites should be rolling in for Christmas parties. The family Christmas cards should be arriving any day now. Kids are peeking under the tree. The sound of Christmas is everywhere, but sometimes I want to ask what are we celebrating? What are all the parties for? Have we forgotten the real reason for the season? Does our Christmas list include the less fortunate? Does our giving include our service or just our money? Sometimes, I feel like Christmas is a bunch of strangers crashing a birthday party for someone they don't even know. Sometimes, I want to ask were you invited to the party or are you just a plus one? 

Pristine

The remnants of Atlanta's winter wonderland are melting. We rarely get snow in Atlanta. So, when we do, it is epic. This past weekend the trees were covered in snow. Kids were sledding in Piedmont Park, while others were making snowmen in their yards. It was beautiful to see the city covered with a beautiful white sheet of snow. Everything looked pristine. There were no remnants of last week's election. There were no remnants of corruption. There was no evidence of Atlanta's racial and socio-economic divide, just beautiful white snow. Sometimes, I wish everything could be covered with a white sheet of snow. Sometimes, I wish we could see people, things, and situations through a lens of original intent. I think that would change our perspective on a lot of things if we had a fresh understanding. Try to imagine your perspective of your world if you had a new outlook on life. Let it snow! 

Xenial

It's holiday season. Fall decorations are on sale. Turkeys can be preordered. Holiday menus are being planned. Party invitations are being sent. It's all about hospitality. As you prepare your homes to entertain guests, make sure that you prepare your heart. Make sure that you have a xenial spirit. A xenial spirit is a hospitable spirit, one that is giving, loving and kind. 

"Hospitality is not about inviting people into your perfect home, it’s about inviting them into your imperfect heart."