Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

Christmas lights brighten everything! We are now in the time of year where the days are shorter. The sun sets earlier and rises later so often we find ourselves going to work in the dark and coming home in the same. It can get a little depressing!! But somehow the dazzling displays of holiday lighting all over town lifts the spirits. The presence of light renders the darkness less gloomy. Now is the time to look for the brightest Christmas light ever!

“It’s so easy to fall in love, it’s so easy to fall in love.” Famous singer/songwriter, Buddy Holly, along with Norman Petty penned these catchy lyrics, and in 1958 the rock and roll band, The Crickets, recorded the single. “Yeah, where you’re concerned, My heart can learn, Oh it’s so easy to fall in love, It’s so easy to fall in love.”

The Thanksgiving season provides an occasion to stop and reflect on things often taken for granted. Our little Ruby’s wise mama has helped her focus on things for which she is thankful. Every day for the past few weeks she has been coloring a turkey feather listing something or someone she loves and is grateful for. While I haven’t been personally crafting turkey feathers, I have recently found yet another reason to thank and praise our heavenly Father.

2020 has been a year of increased anxiety for many people. We live in stressful times, but soon after this year made its grand entrance the pressures only increased. COVID restrictions, unfamiliar work and social conditions, and an unprecedented election are only a few of the abnormal circumstances we’ve navigated. All of this, melded together with personal struggles and fear of the unknown, lends itself to sleepless nights, tension headaches, high blood pressure, and a general feeling of unease. But late one night as I tossed and turned, my head swirling like a tornado, I suddenly realized a good way to respond to my anxiety.

The weather turns colder, and the wind whips the trees mercilessly. It’s a good night to hunker down on the couch under a cozy blanket with family. What more perfect setting to watch a favorite movie? Most of my preferences involve the typical love triangle. Girl has rich inattentive boyfriend. She goes away and meets a fellow with average means who ends up falling in love and portraying it in romantic and very real ways. Of course, in the end the girl dumps the guy with the money for the man who truly loves her with everything he’s got. This is because love isn’t about money; true love is always about the heart! What would you rather have: a very expensive gift from someone who doesn’t care about you, or a small thoughtful present from someone who adores you and would sacrifice everything for your benefit?

How does a person make it to a place of prominence? Our world would say you do whatever it takes to fight your way to the top. But in God’s economy the way to the top is at the bottom. Fall Sunday afternoons bring to mind so many peaceful feelings: enjoyment of a warm scrumptious meal with family, encouraging conversation around our large, Amish-made dining room table where everyone feels satisfied and loved, walks with good friends down a country road lined with glorious trees of changing colors, and the soothing sound of the football game droning on while I drift off to sleep in my comfy chair until the punctuated cheers of the sofa fans startle me out of my slumber. Avid football fans have always intrigued me. These devoted followers wear the gear, decorate the house, scream encouragement, and rarely miss a game, always hoping their team will win.