Kindness and Joy

Fullness of joy is discovered only in the emptying of will. And I can empty. I can empty because counting His graces has awakened me to how He cherishes me, holds me, wildly values me. I can empty because I am full of His love. I can trust. I can let go. ~Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts

This is exactly how I feel at this moment! After counting my many blessings during the Thanksgiving season I have come to realize I have much to be thankful for and in turn much to give. "To whom much is given much is required" one of my favorite quotes. As I sit here doing homework, listening to beautiful Christmas music, thinking about everyone I know or know of that may not be feeling the blessings and therefor can not let go. I feel it is our job NOW in this Christmas season to help find the JOY and SPREAD IT! Take time to count even the smallest of blessings, find comfort in the seasonal hymns and His word, and let go. There's no time like the present to find your own PEACE and JOY! There are 28 days until Christmas, that gives us plenty of time to let go of our own strongholds and take note of others', be kind to one another despite our differences  (A kind word, or kind gesture can go a loooonnng way for someone who may not be feelin that cheer and joy of the season quite yet:)) and just in time for Christmas the JOY will be spread to more people than you can even imagine! It's contagious!

This time can be stressful, busy, cold, dark, you may feel alone and discouraged with certain things or people but those are only the strongholds on your life! They are fooling you and keeping you from seeing the reason for the season: JESUS. Those things are only keeping you from the potential joy and peace you might hold and spread onto others around you! And just as Jesus never gave up on you we mustn't give up on others (that we might really want to give up on or already kinda have!), just today an apology many many years, like decades in the making finally happened! Just when you think it's hopeless, hope proves you wrong! Truly a Christmas miracle. Don't EVER give up on people!

I am challenging myself and all of you to let go in the spirit of the season, find your inner joy and peace, and reach out to EVERYONE (even the little ones need the joy!) around you and SPREAD IT! Everyone would like a little holiday joy and peace whether they realize it or not...and who knows, some people's reactions and openness may just end up surprising you and bringing you even MORE JOY! Man, I love Christmas!

Share with me stories on here or message me on Facebook if you feel so inclined I'd LOVE to hear them:) xoxo We can do it!