Family Home Evening Thought - Nov. 15

I have been thinking about Christmas and all I want to do (still undone) for the season. I finished a couple of the "big" projects - a quilt for a gift and a paper pieced wall hanging (a nativity I sewed two years ago, but finished this year), and pulled out a Christmas table runner pattern I got two years ago from a quilt website I like. I bought my four fabrics - red, green, gold, and purple - at the little quilt shop at the coast last year. The pattern is designed to be made as a 15 min/day, 3 week long advent project, with scripture readings for each day - sew and read. I realized that for me, this might not work - I love the readings (although I would read them from the reference and not the printed directions - I prefer the poetic language of the King James Version over more modern translations) and will probably read them, but the sewing needed to happen sooner. As I worked through the directions, (No, it isn't finished yet, but I'll post a picture when it is.) I chuckled a bit, but also thought, "How true." The directions for one day say, "Spend just 5 minutes ewing today, then at least 10 minutes thinking and praying about the "gotta do's" that are weighing you down. Instead of adding to your "to do" list, ask Him to show you the things that should be moved to the "let it go" column. If you're feeling weary and restless, you can be sure those burdens aren't from God. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) I had already decided to do the sewing early, so it wouldn't become a "burden."

What burden are you carrying with the approaching season that should be one of joy? Think of Him, and walk with a lighter load. Move a few "gotta do" items to the "let it go" column, and celebrate the joy of the birth of our Savior, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Rejoice!

Love, Mom