joy – Page 125 – hugsnblessings

Clothe me in Hope & Mercy.

Published on December 31, 2015December 13, 2017 by Dawn Marie20 Comments

I’m walking through the Twilight Zone of Deja’ vu as we enter into 2016. Same bat time, same bat channel, just a different year. And yet, I can acknowledge & embrace that magically…mercifully…

I. AM. BLESSED.

And so it is that, as the year winds down, I do not seek to set resolutions. In their place I instead release, like incense to the Heavens, grateful proclamations of thanks!

Thanks to a God who during a year, admittedly full of sadness, kept me free from bitterness & blame. Thanks for the wise Sages He sent, who have guided, supported, & sustained me. May their words below burn like sweet perfume, as I release them…with no need to carry these into a New Year.

For God has strengthened me. He has grown me. He has reminded me that like the Cedars in the forest, with love as my mission...What could ever break me?

One by one I symbolically let them go. One by one I say thank you. One by one I turn and walk away. Clothed instead in my new coat of Hope & Mercy. May it keep my heart warm every time I profess,

“I. AM. BLESSED.”

And I pray that you too may find a ‘new covering’ this year, in just the right size for you!

hugs n’ perfumed blessings as you ring in the New Year!

it’s the first of the twelve!

Published on December 26, 2015 by Dawn Marie5 Comments

“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…”

Some people tend to think of Christmas as being just December 25th, but the Christmas season lasts longer than that!

The Shepherds & the Wise Men have yet to arrive!

According to the Church’s Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, the official rule is this: the Christmas Season begins at the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve and ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

So don’t yet take down the tree!

Christ was born for all to See!

Let us rejoice and proclaim His dear birth!

St. Joseph-Bread of Life Community-Church Erie, Pa

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Once more the world remembers
Our blessed Savior’s birth.

Once more we think of Bethlehem and pray for peace on earth.

May this blessed Christmas Season hold many joys for you and special inspirations to last the New Year through!

What will you seek to receive during these next twelve days?

hugs n’ blessings as we embrace the twelve days of Christmas together!

Oh by gosh, by golly! It’s time for Mistletoe and Holly!

Published on December 20, 2015February 6, 2017 by Dawn Marie10 Comments

Jesus knew, giving makes both the giver and the receiver happy. In pursuit of that happiness, many view gift-giving as one of the most important features of Christmas.

Many feel that Christmas gift-giving brings more stress, not more happiness. How so? A lot of shoppers feel compelled to buy gifts that they cannot afford. And since everyone is shopping for gifts at the same time, crowds and long lines make shopping an exasperating experience for many.

“Practice giving,” said Jesus.

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

Luke 6:38

And He did not limit gift-giving to a certain time of the year when people would be expected to give. Jesus urged his followers to make spontaneous gift-giving a practice, a way of life.

“Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7

The essence of Paul’s counsel is that “nothing is ever to be given ‘from compulsion,’ from a feeling that one is forced to give,” explains one Bible commentary. Being “a cheerful giver” rules out the feeling of being obligated to give a specific item to a specific person at a specific time—the way Christmas gift-giving often turns out to be.

Gifts given as a matter of Choice.

Gifts given as they should be.

Love is a gift.

Now give that gift away.