It’s been a long while since I did a Weekend Fun post or any blog post for that matter. I’m emerging from NaNoWriMo, which is like getting off a boat after being at sea for a while or returning home from a long vacation. There’s an adjustment period where I have to re-learn grace as I try to jump back into the rhythm of daily life.
Grace seems to be a lesson I have to keep re-learning as I move into different seasons of life. I’m better at not beating myself up about taking the time to readjust, but the guilt is still there. That pit in my stomach that feeds my paranoia about an impending doom because of my actions or inaction torments me when I feel like I’m not keeping up.
That’s an easy pit to fall into during the holidays, especially when we see social media posts of beautifully decorated homes and holiday activities people are participating in. But believe me when I say grace is a much better option.
Grace is like the day after Thanksgiving where we lounge around in pajamas, too stuffed with food and well wishes to worry about anything. Or like Christmas morning before we’ve washed our faces or had our coffee, but smiling nonetheless because Christmas.
Grace is the permission we need to lean in the arms of the Father and cry during the holidays because we miss someone we’ve lost and our hearts are a tiny bit broken. Grace is a balm that tells us it’s okay not to decorate and store-bought meals are great.
Grace is being okay with being behind or not measuring up to whatever standard we think we need to reach. Grace is God and God is Grace. If all we could do is come to the Father just as we are (warts and all), that’s good enough.
So here are some fun things to help you through preparing for Christmas.
There are affiliate links included below. If you make a purchase through those links, there is no additional cost to you, but it could give me change for a warm cup of hot chocolate. Thanks, friend!
JJ Heller’s new Christmas album “Unto Us” has been on repeat in my CD player (yes, I use an old CD player). I’m proud to say I supported this album through Kickstarter and you can find my name in the CD sleeve. Yay!
The Shepherd On The Search is a Christianized version of Elf on the Shelf. Usually, I don’t go for Christianized version of things, but this is so adorable. I bought it from a local Lifeway store, but you can get it from Amazon (through this link for cheaper than what I paid for it) or Dayspring. I lent it to our Sunday school Preschool class. I’m combining different activities and lessons from the free Daily ADVENTures Dayspring provided in the website for the Preschool Sunday lessons. If you think you’re late for Advent, who cares? If you want to do it for yourself or for your kids, go for it because Advent is really about awaiting the coming of Christ, and it’s never too late to reflect on that.
I made a DIY Truth or Dare Jenga for a gift exchange. I found a $5 tumbling blocks set (generic Jenga) from the Target Dollar Spot section and divided them into 3 groups: 16 blanks, 16 Truths, and 16 Dares. Unfortunately, I didn’t save my Truths and Dares list but it was fun coming up with them so if you want to make this game, just do what sounds fun to you! I had some Would You Rather questions, which is a great alternative to Truth or Dare.
I stumbled upon the YouTube channel Claire and the Crosbys. Take a look at this cuteness:
