Before I retired, Christmas break was such a joyful time!  I loved teaching, but being with my family and not tied to the school schedule was liberating and lovely!  However, it was super busy. I tried to fit so many things in those two weeks and that resulted in a certain amount of frustration amidst the times of joy.

From the journal .  .  . . December 2005

God, we learn obedience through the things we suffer.    

Hebrews 5:8 ⁸ Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered.

Sad, but true.  Lord, I’m such a baby, and when things get uncomfortable, I cry to You.  Like now, I’m hassled with a busyness that I bring on myself, and yet I hesitate to complain at all, because You have given me so much goodness in my life. 

And I Believe God Said:

You are a joy and delight to Me.  The joy you feel is My joy being reflected back.  Enjoy your Christmas break.  Enjoy the gifts I’ve given you in people.  They are to be enjoyed, but I also use them to test and refine you.  Love them. 

John 15:11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 
Zeph 3:17. For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears.
    He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Proverbs 27:17. As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Love them and give yourself to them.  Don’t let pride or fear of loss of control get to you.  Reject pride.  Recognize it but turn it down.  Choose the humble road. You know that you have the ability to really mess things up. My daughter, you also know that I can fix anything, and I already know all about you.

Phil. 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;

Jesus, I love you so much.  And this day, this morning, this hour, this minute, I feel Your love.  You are as close as a breath again.

There have been times when I have closed my eyes and felt the Lord’s presence so close to my face that I can imagine or maybe actually feel His breath.  It’s sweet.

The Christmas song ‘Breath of Heaven’ by Amy Grant isn’t really about that but it reminds me of the wonder of the closeness of Jesus.