Christmas Eve Doesn't Cut It (LYWB)

From a double rainbow against a dark sky to the undeniable pleasure in a scoop of chocolate gelato, our Daddy sure knows how to make us smile. He loves to give us good gifts (Luke 11:13)! And as the best gift-giver in the universe, He also knows the value of suspense. And I learned it, too, one Christmas.

’Twas the night before Christmas at the Jewett house, and everything was stirring . . . ’cause we got really excited about Christmas around our place. The stockings were hung, the lights were strung, and the presents were piled high under our decorated tree. Mom brought in our traditional Christmas Eve appetizer: sliced summer sausage, cheese, and potica (a Slovenian sweetbread), all sent with love from her family in Wisconsin. Everything was ready, and it was finally time.

Just One More
Our family had a tradition of each opening one gift on Christmas Eve, and my sister and I had been eyeing the bounty of carefully wrapped packages for weeks, trying to decide which one we’d open first. We went around the circle, choosing one gift and opening it. And then, as we always did, we turned to Dad and begged, “Please, can we open just one more? Pleeease?” I don’t know why we asked. He had never given in, and there was no indication that this time would be different. But contrary to all reason, this time he said yes!

In utter glee, we ran to the Christmas tree and chose another gift to open. Then, because the first attempt had worked, we tried again. “Please, Daddy? Just one more?”

To our shock, he agreed again! So we went around, each choosing a gift and opening it. Certainly the third time wouldn’t work, but we couldn’t help but ask. And it was like the universe was coming undone—he said yes again . . . and again . . . and again . . . until all the presents were unwrapped, and we sat staring in unbelief at one another under a pile of wrapping paper. Had we really just opened all our presents on Christmas Eve? The absurdity of it had us feeling a little excited, elated even.

Then came Christmas morning.

Worth the Wait
In all my years of Christmases, that one stands out as the darkest, most depressing of all. There was no excited pitter-patter of feet down the hall to wake our parents before dawn. In fact, I think we all just slept in. There was nothing to get up for! The excitement of the night before was replaced by sheer and utter disappointment that Christmas morning, when there were no presents to open.

God knows a gift is better because of the wait. When we cheat the system by opening one of His perfect gifts before the right time, it ceases to be perfect. That’s why the best gifts God gives us usually have a gift tag signed, “Wait to open. Trust me—it’s going to be good! Love, Daddy.”

God has given us the amazing gift of sex, and He also knows the surprise on “Christmas morning” (the wedding night) will make the gift all the sweeter! If you don’t give in by opening the gift on Christmas Eve, you won’t be disappointed.

And for those of you who have already known the disappointment of a premature Christmas, I know the holidays can bring on extra feelings of shame and regret. One of the things I love most about the story of my Christmas Eve debacle is that it didn’t end my enjoyment of every Christmas ever-after. The whole reason Jesus was born into this messed-up world was to bring hope and healing to those who need it. Amen? So let’s savor His grace and the beauty of second chances this Christmas.

And for heaven’s sakes, don’t ask your dad to let you open “just one more” on Christmas Eve! You never know when he might actually say yes.

Lies Young Women Believe

NOTE: Will be away for two weeks, so won't be posting for a little bit :( 

The Shower Routine (by Bekka)

All ladies have a very long shower/bath routine, especially if it involves shaving that night, so how about we all involve a little Jesus time while we wash our hair? Here's the shower prayer routine: 

While taking clothes off: 

I pray that in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that all evil is gone. Satan, you have no place here in my life so in the name of God LEAVE ME!

Rinsing off body:

Father, I thank you for the body you gave me. I thank you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of you. I pray that through my actions, others may come to know you; that they would see the difference in the way I hold myself 

Washing hair: 

Lord, I pray for my mind. I pray that you would protect my mind from all the evil in the world. I want to be pure in my thoughts as well as actions. Lord I pray that nothing impure would be in my thoughts. Lord, build a filter that protects my mind from all temptation to do wrong.

Washing arms/shaving armpits:

Heavenly Father I pray that the arms I have will be used for holding people up and not for knocking them down. Lord I pray that through my walk that whenever I see someone struggling I would reach out to them and be their arm for support. Give me patience as I learn to help people up and assist in carrying them through the rough times they face. Give me wisdom to know when someone is in need of help but too afraid to say it, that I might be able to approach them in a way that is not intimidating. 

Washing legs/shaving legs:

Lord God I pray that with these legs I am able to walk the walk as I have talked the talk. Give me the strength I need to walk down the narrow road that I may light the way for others to follow in my footsteps that ultimately lead in the way you set out for us. I pray that even though sometimes the road may hit a few bumps, that I would stay walking on the same track that leads to eternity with you. 

Washing hands and feet:

Jesus I pray that these hands and feet will be ones that mimic yours. I pray that with these hands I can give selflessly in order to show others the love of Christ. I pray that these hands won't spend time bringing in things for their owner to enjoy but rather give out things for others to cherish. I pray that these feet will lead many onto the path that was set out for us to follow. 

Rinsing off body at end:

I pray that you would help me in achieving all these goals I have laid out here today. Father I pray that I would lean on you and you alone to give me the strength I need to do what I am lead to do. Give me the courage and wisdom that is needed in each situation and I pray that through my actions, people will be turned to Christ. I thank you for placing me on this earth and I thank you for the plan you have in my life for me to do great things. Thank you for the body you have given me in which I am able to live out the plan you have for me. I ask all these things in Jesus' heavenly awesome name,

Amen. 

- Bekka 

5 ways to steer clear of pimples

dealing with pimples can be hard. they are irritating and totally kill your self esteem. its also incredibly hard to stay away from those horrid red things! but luckily there are a few methods that require some effort that beauty websites have shared and have helped me with my pimple battle

1. healthy diet. now in saying this, DO NOT fill your diet with only the healthy stuff. a treat once/twice a week is perfectly fine. if you always eat healthy then your body won't be used to that chocolate bar you ate after a month of no sugar. 

2. wash your face daily. for me cleaning my face with soap and ex-foliating cream does the trick. however, for you it may be a bit different as we have different skin. try experimenting with a few products and see which one helps the most.

3. steaming hot cloths. yes, i know. this one sounds a bit weird. however, applying a really hot cloth to pimples that are under the skin actually helps kill them. also try them with blackheads.

4. relax. sometimes stressing out and emotional lows can actually cause those pimples. 

5. remember your beauty. pimples or no pimples, you are still gorgeous.

much love,

miss h 

10 things i've learnt being a teenager

1. sometimes your friends change, but that's okay.

2. you change, you grow. and that's okay.

3. God is always constant. throughout the trials and body changes, He is always there.

4. don't get offended when someone comments on your hormones. yes, we all experience those horrid things and we all have mood swings. someone is always going to comment on your hormone level (whether it be your brother, grandma or mother) but don't let it get to you. 

5. social outings are awkward. the playground equipment is no longer a 'socially acceptable' place for a teenager to be (bummer, i know). but don't worry about it. you and your friends will soon find your new digs.

6. your grandparents will always see you as little. 

7. body changes are horrible. but its different for everyone.

8. never be afraid to ask your favourite female role model any puberty questions or anything about any teenage dilemmas (for me its my mum and her best friends). 

9. boys are completely oblivious to anything before they are 15. 

 

10. the Bible is totally relatable. while we may think only adults can understand it, the Bible has stuff for teenagers too.