Do You Have Room?

We have room for everything under the sun these days! Room meaning your time, attention, efforts, and energy directing at or being used for a specific thing or person. We make room for whatever makes us feel as if we have power, comfort, control and/or happiness. It is so funny that we read the nativity story and say I would have given up my bed and even prepared a feast for Mary & Joseph. That’s just it, we love to say what we would have done, but the truth about the matter is when we are in the moment, at a particular space in time, to make a decision that could ultimately affect someone else we don’t have any room for it.

This year I’ve been so lackadaisical about purchasing gifts because I’ve come to enjoy the company of loved ones verses what I can give someone that will only provide that person with a temporary emotion. What can be given to loved ones that will last forever—a lifetime? Memories, especially good ones, are a lot more important to me these days, than more gadgets, clothing, or figurines that only clutter my home even more. People don’t understand or even realize that all these things are taking up way to much room in their lives already. This year, as I do throughout the year, I have resorted to walking around my home and giving away things to people that will provide a lasting memory. I am baking and opening my cupboards to see what will benefit someone else and create lasting memories. Think about it do you remember what you received 5 years ago for Christmas. What are some of the memories you have from Christmases past?

Joseph & Mary were in desperate need of a room, someone’s room, anyone’s room and it is so ironic that no one had room for the Lord and Savior that we call upon everyday who always has room for us. I’m sure they never forgot the day Mary gave birth to her first son, who is God’s Son, and the Son that gives us access to God on a daily basis. Think about it, a stable with animals—imagine the smell. This is the memory that they never forgot all their days on this earth. On the day Mary gave birth no one had room or even wanted to make room for a couple who had a child on the way. Do we have room for Jesus Christ in our lives or do we have so much going on, too many things in our home (and lives), and trying to get this and that causing us to completely fill our schedules with lots of stuff, but no room for Jesus. I don’t really like clichés but Jesus is truly the reason for this season, make room for Him in your life, home, and in all that you do—He always has room for you.

By TKay (Tina Hughes) author of “TKay’s Inspirationals: Walking In Your Season”

Do You Feel Me!

Okay, I just heard something that feels like someone has punched me in my stomach, there are tears welling up in my eyes, and I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me. So I feel like I am bent over with my hands on both knees and my head down, while standing. Did I hear what I think I heard? In my head I am thinking to myself did you do this on purpose, what were your intensions, and do you even realize the consequences? I am trying to get my facial expression together before I lift my head, so how I really feel does not show all over my face. So I wait, in my head I’m beginning to think; how do I fix this, how do I make it right, how do I put this back together again, how do I pick up the pieces without leaving any behind, so maybe just maybe I can somehow become whole again. All of this is running through my head but I still can’t seem to lift my head yet, because now the tears are rolling down my cheeks and I just can’t let anyone see me like this….Oh Lord! What do I do? Who do I talk to? How do I move from this place without making a mess of the mess that is before me?

Then I think back about the times as a child when I fell down and my earthly father came to my aid and picked me up, dusted me off, and told me to try again—wiping away my tears. Right now, at this very moment, at this place in time I need that. However, I am still bent over trying to piece this puzzle together in my head so my heart will stop beating so fast—and my heart beating is all in my head. Then I hear a voice saying I am the lifter up of your head, I AM the great I AM-who do you need me to be, because I am all that and more. Then I hear the same voice say child I feel you—I feel every disappointment, every heartache, every hurt, every let down, every loss, every back stab, punch, and fall. Please believe my beloved—I feel you! I feel you, even when you can not talk about it, I feel it when there is no one you can trust to tell it to, I feel it when you chalk it up and hope it will get better—my precious I feel you. Then, the voice says you are mine, you’ve been mine before the beginning of time. I love you my beloved—no matter how anyone treats or talks to you, I feel you. Just know, I need you to remove yourself from situations and people who render you useless and not even worth your time. I wish you knew your value—I made you splendidly and I molded you in my very hand. I love you now and I will love you even until the end of times. I hope you come to know your own worth and value.

Help me, O Lord my God! Save me because of your unfailing love. Psalm 109:26

By Tina Kay (TKay) author of “TKay’s Inspirationals: Walking In Your Season”

The Battles We Fight

Today has been a mess of a day! I feel like I am in a race running as fast as I possibly can, about to pass out while everyone else is passing and ahead of me. If you come in my house (or enter my world) each room or area has a pile of chaos going on. So I slow down, bent over, panting for breath while I clean up a pile of chaos in my life. Okay, here I go again starting back in this race or this thing called life and I pick up some speed, but my body just does not want to move as fast as I need it to. I see the pack of runners ahead of me about to round the corner but my feet they feel so heavy, as if I have lead in my shoes. So, I slow down again to get this weight off of me; I drop this weight of anger, frustration, hate, and resentment so just maybe, I can catch up with the crowd. So I put on some new shoes that prepare me to tell others along the way about God (because I think those old shoes were holding me back), just maybe I can catch up because all God’s chill’in need some shoes good shoes to run this race., this thing called life. I feel so inadequate for this race because now I am so far behind, but I get back on the path anyway. Is it me or is this path getting more narrow with each step I take? I’m running but I don’t see anyone else on this path with me. Have I made a wrong turn or maybe I’m just so far behind that I can’t see the others running this race because of the trees in the distance. I pick up my pace again, but this time I jog and I breathe the runners breath. I don’t feel so much is on me now—what is this, I feel like I’m running on air? Then I hear God say “You are not alone in this race, this thing called life—I’m right here beside you running with you, comforting you, instructing you, providing for you, and I will never leave you—take your time child enjoy this race, this thing called life. There is so much to enjoy along the way, look at the scenery as you move forward, which are all the things that happen in your life. Don’t get bogged down with the scenery because I need you to keep moving! Yes the path is getting more narrow with each forward step along the way because others have fallen along the way, quitting, giving up, and turning around. God continues to tell me that I need you to stay on this path and you may have to walk sometimes and maybe even sit down and take a rest, but keep moving. When you come to the end, I don’t want to tell you the end, just know the end will be more wonderful than words can ever describe! Keep moving, I’m with you now and I will definitely be with you at that finish line (the end of time). I love you my child, keep running this race called life.
I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. Philippians 3:14-16 (MSG)