The Feather: A Symbol of High Honor

Yesterday, I was drawn again to all the geese that abound in my community. Not before the last couple of days did I notice so many of their feathers all around the grounds. I gathered enough molten feathers for a feather bouquet. My research found that Native American culture believes that all things possess an inherent virtue, power, and wisdom. For example, the feather signifies a connection between the Creator and the feather of the bird that lost it. It symbolizes trust, honor, strength, wisdom, power, and freedom. It is deeply revered.

My feather bouquet is symbolic to who I desire to be – a woman of trust, honor, strength, wisdom, power, and freedom. I also learned that Native American warriors were awarded a feather when they won a battle or were particularly brave in war. When a feather falls to the earth, it is believed to carry the bird's energy, and perceived as a gift from God.

No wonder I was drawn to pick up those feathers. They were a gift to me from the geese and God. I read that they shed their feathers because they are dead structures, like our hair or nails and are made of the same ingredient, the protein keratin. That means when they get damaged, they can’t heal themselves. They have to be replaced and that's called molt. Molt keeps birds in top flying condition. Timing is everything in molting so they avoid other periods of high energy demands, like nesting or migration. So, there you have it – my biology lesson on molting.

Timing is everything for us, too. What about this timing of stay-at-home and focusing more inward than outward? Are we in a time when God is causing our "dead feathers" to be replaced like the molting process when birds get a new look and so they will be in top flying condition?

Maybe we need that process to get rid of the old, broken, worn, damaged areas of our lives that cause old, broken, damaged thinking? Just as those geese don’t stubbornly hold on to their dead feathers, so we shouldn’t hold on to the unnecessary weights of negativity that have clung on way too long in our lives. I am so ready to move on to a new season from the old one that was filled with stinking thinking, poor self-image, mistakes made, regrets and disappointments to the new feathers that symbolize our connection between our Creator -- whereby our new feathers are those of trust, honor, strength, wisdom, power, and freedom.

Oh, how God longs to empower and strengthen us to be able to take flight from all those things that have held us earth-bound and weary. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18,19

God longs to help us let go. All we have to do is go to Him in prayer and ask Him to shine His light on any thoughts, circumstances, habits or other “dead feathers” we might be clinging to. My prayer is that we let go of anything that would hinder a fresh relationship with God, with our family, with our brothers and sisters as children of God. I’m determined to “let go” and let God have His way in me. I’m looking for some new feathers! How about you?

She Opens Her Mouth with Wisdom

I'm still in Austin -- was planning only a few days, but when I was needed for a project, I stayed a few days longer. Then, I was leaving on Thursday, but my precious son, in a stance that reminded me of him as a little boy, said, "Mommy, would you please stay for Mother's Day? I want to take care of my girls!" Like he was as a little boy, I couldn't resist those eyes or plea. But, then, to my utter surprise last night, in walks my crew from Frisco. Oh, the tears that came. My sweet Ryan and Shawntel surprised me by asking them to join us for Mother's Day weekend! So here I am all wrapped up in love this morning the day before Mother's Day.

One of my greatest joys in life has been to be a mother....to my own children AND to those God put into my life "to mother". Nothing is so dear as the results of a hug or a word of wisdom I shared with someone who needed that hug or word. It is so unique and special how God designed a woman’s heart to love and nurture tenderly and teach wisely.

Leaving home at 17 to marry, I sure needed my mom's wisdom. Besides washing clothes and cooking tips, I needed her wisdom about sharing life with a man. I remember when I wanted to run "back home" to her because of what seemed to be the biggest "spat" EVER. I'm so glad she wouldn't let me. She reminded me that I HAD left "home", and my new home was with the man I loved and "this little spat would pass". And, it did.

Then, one year later, our son was born and I needed her even more. The times he was sick (and, the times I got sick), the times when, as a couple, we hit a rough patch and life seemed so out of control, the times when I needed her voice to comfort me. In God’s sovereign plan for motherhood, He gave me a mother that was my mentor, my best friend and my confidant. And, not only did He give me my mother, but He gave me the dearest mother-in-law EVER. God also gave me other older women in age and in faith (and continues to do so) that have come alongside and loved me “like a mother.”

After these many seasons of my life, watching and learning from my resilient, strong, and determined Mom during the time of my daddy's long illness, and then as a single mom after he graduated to heaven, to my own learning to be Mom to my children and to other young women, I can assure you that God has special plans for women. He gave us life to give life to others. God's plans for us ensure that we are "mothered" and that we "mother".

Do you still have your Mom with you today? Treasure her. If not, treasure her because she gave us YOU! Tomorrow will be a day of celebrating moms, but perhaps we might consider being “like a mother” to those who need a mentor. Just maybe we are the answer to someone's prayers.

I honor all the beautiful and selfless ladies that "mother" those around them with God's love and with His wisdom that encourages and blesses them.

Proverbs 31:26 "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."

The Only Story You'll Regret is the One Left Untold

I have little time to scroll through my FB timeline, but when I do, I often get a bright idea for my next blog. I saw a post a few days ago and it inspired me to keep telling stories of my past. Even though my listeners and readers may yawn at yet another one of my Mom or Nana stories, I know they might remember that story and pass it on to their kiddos one day. There are many things I would do over in a better way, if I could, but I can't so I won't live in regret. No “what if’s”, “if onlys” – because that’s no way of living. What I do on-purpose to plant seeds and cultivate them is what matters today. See if this friend's FB post gives you some bright ideas too!

“I’ve encountered the worst, most horrible, awful aspect of cleaning out my dad’s house, which belonged to my grandparents before him: we have lost all the stories. I was my dad’s only child, and he was my grandparents’ only child. My dad’s death was unexpected, so I never got the full data dump of family stories from him, especially as it relates to our heirlooms.
I encounter one object after another that is very old, that I know has deep meaning to my family, but I don’t know details. Which clock is the one that was a wedding gift to my great-great grandparents? Whom did this 1892 Bible belong to? What were the items brought to Texas by covered wagon by my ancestors in the 1850s? My dad knew. Now, he’s gone. There is no one left to ask. I will never know. The stories died with him.

Never has the power of "stories" been more apparent to me than today. It’s reminded me of why I defend people sharing their lives on social media, even if it means we’re walking around taking selfies all the time. When someone is photographing or videoing their lives, it’s not usually because they’re vain or addicted to their phone. It’s because they want to share. They have a story to tell and they want someone to hear it.

As someone who is reeling from the loss of stories, I want to encourage you to be bolder in sharing your own. Let us laugh with you when you can’t find your car in the parking lot. Tell us why you ate that one sandwich for lunch. Vent about how you’re really feeling today. As I sit in my family’s house, surrounded by objects full of secrets I’ll never know, I can promise you the only story you’ll regret is the one that doesn’t get told.”

So, tell those stories, dear friends! Let those youngsters know about walking to school in knee-deep snow (that’s for my Canadian family) – my mother-in-law tells those stories. Tell us how you came to know Jesus.Tell us how He made a difference in your life. Tell us about how you nearly gave up -- but God. Tell us about that vase and where it came from. I love that my mother-in-law labels every item that is given to her by a putting piece of masking tape under that item with a name and date.

I talk a lot about my precious husband -- on purpose. My two youngest grands wouldn't typically remember too much about him, but they do because we keep Papa in the present in our conversations and with photos.

So – with this blog today, I’m reaching out to touch you with an S.O.S.! Don’t take chances that you’ll have your loved ones with you forever or that YOU will be on this side of heaven forever! Ask them about their lives – I mean REALLY delve into WHO they were and what their memories were all about. And, you, start telling YOUR story. I promise you – you will be so glad you did – if not today – someday, when you wish you had!

The Greatest Gift I Could Give You

The words, “Do Not Fear” were my blog’s theme yesterday and I gave you the Gift that keeps on giving – I gave you Jesus Who is the “fear eradicator”. So now, what do you do with that Gift? I love you, my FB and social media friends and family, too much to not tell you more about this most precious Gift.

Guess who knew you'd be reading this blog with me today! God did. God knew before you were born that you would be reading this in this moment. He planned to get your attention for just a few seconds so He could say this to you: “You matter to Me. I love you more than you will ever know. I made you to love you, and I’ve been waiting for you to love Me back.”

What if I really gave you a tangible Christmas gift and you never opened it, I would sure be disappointed. It would be a worthless gift because you didn't receive the benefit of that gift. Jesus Christ is God’s Christmas Gift to us. Yet some of us have gone Christmas after Christmas and never opened the best Gift of all: God’s gift of being adopted into His family by the grace of Christ crucified. It’s not like being given a high definition television by a complete stranger. Rather, this adoption (salvation) is more like Ephesians 2:4-10 “But because of His great love for us, God, Who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the GIFT OF GOD -- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” THIS, my friends, is the Gift of God that keeps on giving and giving and giving.

So, why even celebrate Christmas if you’re not going to open the biggest gift? It doesn’t make sense to leave unwrapped the Gift of our past forgiven, a purpose for living, and a home in Heaven. God has made a way for you this Christmas to get it right with Him, and all you have to do is receive His Gift of salvation. This is a little prayer I prayed at eight years old and it “stuck” with me to this day. If it was good enough for me – it is good enough to “seal the deal” and open this most wonderful Gift meant for you, too! If these words express the desire in your heart, please prayer them and really mean them:

“Dear God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for being here with me every day. Thank you for sending your Son to die for me so that I can live with You forever and ever. Please forgive me for all the things I’ve done wrong and please help me to do things right that please you. I promise to love and serve you all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

Now – here’s a little add-on for you this day – no matter what age you are: “Heavenly Father, I want to receive the Christmas Gift of your Son. I want to receive Him as my Lord and Savior. I ask You to forgive me from my past, my sins, mistakes, my habits, my hurts, and my hang-ups. I want to fulfill what You made me to do. I want to love You and trust You and have a relationship with You all the days of my life. Please put peace in my heart. Please fill me with Your love. Help me be a peacemaker and help others find peace with You and each other. In your name I pray. Amen.”

Would you please PM me if you prayed this prayer today? I am a follower of Christ. I promise to pray for and partner with you to help you become a fully devoted follower of Christ, too! Oh, the joy, peace, and hope that await you.
🎚🎚🎚🎚God loves you so much and so do I!🎚🎚🎚🎚

A Treat for 97 Years

This morning, I’ll be heading to Tulsa to celebrate Mom and her 97th Birthday! It’s truly a day of celebrating – not just a mother-in-law, but a dear friend, mentor, and mother. God brought this precious treat to us on October 31st, 1922. I'm sure He had a hand in her being named “Lydia" which means “worshipper of God“! And true to her name, she has been a true worshipper of God. You'll find her at any given time with her Bible in hand -- reading and praying for her family and friends. Many times you’ll find her on the phone encouraging someone.

"Mom means the world to me. Were it not for her, I wouldn't have been blessed with the love and joy of having her son as my beloved husband and our children and grandchildren. She has been a true gift to all who know her, leaving her mark on so many lives, including mine. Though she's my mother-in-law, it has always been so natural to call her "Mom". She always treated me like a daughter. She loved me when I was 12-years-old and was an accomplice with my mom in ensuring their two kiddos would marry AND stay married! Their strategies (and many prayers) worked well!

I know many funny, and often "catty" remarks said about "mother-in-laws". That's too bad, because if it weren't for our in-laws we would never have been blessed with our sweethearts. We should love, respect, appreciate, and honor them. And, isn't that the kind of "in-law" we want to be for our children's and grandchildren's spouses?

I'm putting Mom out there today -- front and center -- for you to see what a mother-in-law should look like. Not the exterior, though she is and always has been a beautiful, stately woman, but she did the best of what God called her to do. She walked His walk AND talked His talk. She has been a Proverbs 31 woman -- the one that her children ALL rise up and call her blessed. She sure makes me want to up my game!

Mom, I celebrate the gift of you in my life and to so many others who have been impacted by your grace and beauty for so many years! I love you so much.







Mom means the world to me. Were it not for her, I wouldn't have been blessed with the love and joy of having her son as my beloved husband and our children and grandchildren. She has been a true gift to all who know her, leaving her mark on so many lives, including mine. Though she's my mother-in-law, it has always been so natural to call her "Mom". She always treated me like a daughter. She loved me when I was 12-years-old and was an accomplice with my mom in ensuring their two kiddos would marry AND stay married! Their strategies (and many prayers) worked well!

I know many funny, and often "catty" remarks said about "mother-in-laws". That's too bad, because if it weren't for our in-laws we would never have been blessed with our sweethearts. We should love, respect, appreciate, and honor them. And, isn't that the kind of "in-law" we want to be for our children's and grandchildren's spouses?

I'm putting Mom out there today -- front and center -- for you to see what a mother-in-law should look like. Not the exterior, though she is and always has been a beautiful, stately woman, but she did the best of what God called her to do. She walked His walk AND talked His talk. She has been a Proverbs 31 woman -- the one that her children ALL rise up and call her blessed. She sure makes me want to up my game!

Mom, I celebrate the gift of you in my life and to so many others who have been impacted by your grace and beauty for so many years! I love you so much.

Just Taking it All In with a Let-it-Go Frame-of-Mind

I’m an “all in” kind-of-gal. I’ll admit that being all-in is easy when it comes to savoring the moments with my grandchildren. Sweet one-on-one time with my grown-up ones -- Braden and his wife, Ruth, and Barrett, while I was in Austin doing animal care. Braden and Ruth are still "honeymooning" after nearly three years of marriage. Maybe 2020 will be the year for a great grand-baby; at least that’s what a little bird told me! I’m not holding my breath, but, after seeing “The Lion King”, yesterday with the four younger grands, I started getting excited about the potential of the “circle of life” continuing in our family.

I’m an “all in” kind-of-gal. I’ll admit that being all-in is easy when it comes to savoring the moments with my grandchildren. Sweet one-on-one time with my grown-up ones -- Braden and his wife, Ruth, and Barrett, while I was in Austin doing animal care. Braden and Ruth are still "honeymooning" after nearly three years of marriage. Maybe 2020 will be the year for a great grand-baby; at least that’s what a little bird told me! I’m not holding my breath, but, after seeing “Lion King” with the four younger grands, I started getting excited about the potential of the “circle of life” continuing in our family.

When trying to decide “What should we do today?” and the suggestion of Chuck-E-Cheese came up – we were all in…. again! (Yes, this crew STILL wants to hang out there) – so funny to see them all so determined to chalk up more tickets than ever before – final count after pizza and two hours of play: 3,150! The next day they chose Ninja Nation – an American Ninja Warrior-like facility where obstacle courses give kids and adults body challenging action. Only problem was the blisters on their softy hands from hanging on bars and other obstacles. The new "Lion King" movie gave us all great feel-good feelings. The story line is similar to the original animated version, but the computer-generated life-like characters, music and current one-liners made for such a great afternoon.

In between all the go-to activities is always Nana’s standby oldie but goodie, Nintendo 64 – Mario Party, and other games that make me laugh, considering the current high-tech versions of video games on their phones and theater screens at home. A bocce championship on the courts in my community made for hilarious competition: Bryson and I on one team and Payton and Brennan on the other. Bryson and I, calmly accepting or not getting another “closest to the palino” score, while the other two highly-competitive guys throwing themselves on the ground in defeat or chest-bumping each other in the win. We had to have a play-off for the championship game and Bryson and I, gracefully, congratulated the winners in all their glory!

Maybe you’re still in the parenting mode, but, before long (Trust me…..the time flies!), grand-parenting will become a part of your world, and in that case, my PRO-Nana recommendation is to get intimately involved in their lives. Moms and dads are no doubt the greatest influencers, but grandparents can come in a close second. My husband and I teamed up for the first many years of the older kids’ lives. The youngest two only get me – so I have to step it up and be all in for both of us now. It isn’t a hard task. It’s a circle-of-life pleasure for me.

We always wanted our grandchildren to know that we pray for them, stand ready to be there for them, and to support them as best we could. I'm, by no means, wanting to be dishing out a guilt trip to anyone that doesn't have that "bent", but I assure you, there is nothing to compare to that precious love and hearing: "Nana, I love you so much! Am I your favorite?” And my reply, “Yes, you’re my favorite Payton! Alexia! Bryson! Brennan!” Along with this over-the-top, care-free spirit of this grandmother, is a brilliant one who knows…I love them too much to compare them or to even want them to be alike in any way. Just like God, I love them with the love of a devoted, grateful, and indescribable love that only grandparents AND God understands.

"The simplest toy, one which even the youngest child can operate, is called a grandparent." -- Sam Levenson

"They Opened Their Mouths With Wisdom!" Hey Girls! That's You and Me

Happy Mother's Day to all Moms! That includes all women who have been gifted with the "maternal instinct" of nurturing and caring for others. One of the greatest joys in life is to be a mother to my own children and to those God put into my life "to mother". There is something unique and special about how God designed a woman’s heart to love tenderly, teach wisely, and nurture selflessly -- and it's so much more than just my own little brood -- though I'm ever so grateful for each and every one I get to call mine.

I believe that all of us are called to mother another. In that sense, "mother" is a verb, an action, a gift we give to others. We mother whether we’re married or not or whether we’ve ever experienced giving birth or not. We mother those who cross the threshold of our homes and lives. We mother those who reach out to us on social media. We mother because we’re called to it -- throwing out a lifeline to a drowning friend, child, teenager, young mother, a grandmother, or that stranger who we notice is holding on to life for dear life. We mother because we can’t help ourselves. We were born to mother.

We mother because there are people who trust us and our keen awareness that "my life is far greater than us four and no more". We mother those we work, go to school or church with, live next door to or who meet us at the grocery store and need a soft, safe place to land and come undone. We mother because we’ve watched our moms and grandmas take food to someone's home or opened her door to a hurting soul. We mother when someone needs a shoulder to cry on when the negative diagnosis comes or the loved one passes away. We mother when a friend's child runs away from home, and she wants to run away from home, too!

This is what we do. We love with all the genuine affection in our hearts, and we delight in honoring each other. We give ourselves away — little bits and pieces of who we are, of our courage, of our deep faith. We bear down and we find ways to breathe life into people desperate for air. Every single woman who loves, sacrifices, encourages, tends, teaches, cares, raises, praises, shapes, forms, and nurtures, no matter how we come to be connected with them, is doing an amazing, mothering work. And today, Mother's Day, while I celebrate the most amazing mom and mother-in-law and my two amazing daughters of my seven grands, I celebrate you, too! I believe in you and champion you. Thank you for all that you are and all that you do. Happy Mother’s Day!

Proverbs 31:26 "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."

It’s My 10 Years Anniversary

If you’re on Facebook or if, over the last few weeks, you watched the news about its co-founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, you'll be amused that my “word of the day” is “Facebook” (FB). FB is a popular free social networking website that allows registered users to create profiles, upload photos and video, send messages and keep in touch with friends and family.

These little photos popped up yesterday because 10 years ago on April 16th, 2008, I became a Facebook user. It was the newest and best tool to connect with friends and family that I hadn’t seen or heard from in years. Then I found it to be painfully ridiculous as I would read posts where people were complaining about their deadbeat husbands or their high energy children or their dog who had left their home in a shambles or were singing that “Somebody Done Me Wrong” song. I didn’t even want to check my page, so I went AWOL with FB.

Then fast forward two years, 2010, when we received my husband’s medical diagnosis of Stage 4 Kidney Cancer. We had been the ones who encouraged and prayed with many people who had serious illnesses. Now, we had to practice what we had preached “Trust God. Live with expectancy of something good getting ready to happen. Throw your hands up in the air and enjoy the ride.” This is when FB became a platform for me to share our faith journey, and in doing so, made sure we were living out what we believed in our hearts...."Nothing is impossible with God" so we expressed optimism, hope, and faith, even though it was the toughest battle we had ever faced in our lives.

Living life out loud on Facebook became a gift to me. I found sweet peace in writing. FB became a place of solace because it connected me to thousands of friends and family members. I needed that connection. I wrote about our faith journey -- conquering and winning through it all -- even his graduation to heaven and to my new world as a widow became a win.

Here's what I know for sure. All those things that seemed so important before, soon became so trivial. My priorities shifted to making moments count more than ever before. Now I know the stuff of life are those everyday precious moments that matter most. Now when I hear people complain about FB and other social media posts being the outlet for people to get depressed, I think “compared to what?” I loved the post of a friend who feels like I do about social media. Here are words she posted a few weeks ago:

“Before social media -- it was the radio and television that made people aware of war, communist threats, potential nuclear meltdown, race wars, starvation, political unrest and maybe one little feel good human interest story on the side. Pretty easy to feel good about yourself when the world is going to hell in a hand basket, right?! Enter the social media age. It is a constant presence in the lives of billions of people across the globe. Facebook alone boasts of nearly 1.8 billion users. A vast majority of people post the “highlight reel” of their lives. They post their cute dogs, their adorable babies, their sexy spouses, sunny vacations and wonderfully decorated living spaces. And it depresses some people? Really? 🛑Not me. I gravitate towards time on social media because I love to see the “happy” in people’s lives. I love their cute babies and dogs, their amazing spouses and homes, and especially those vacations. In fact, if you are a Debbie Downer or a continual Negative Nancy, you will find I have quietly unfriended, unfollowed or hidden your posts. 🙀 I choose to spend my time engaging with positive, uplifting, encouraging post-ers and I look forward to my nightly social media time to check in on the “wonderful” of people’s lives. (No, I don’t watch the news.) For me, posting a selfie that I feel good about is my way of staying positive about my self-image and saying “I think I like myself today.” Can we all please do a little more of that?! " 😘

So, happy 10 year FB anniversary to me. I daily give God thanks for the privilege of having friends like YOU who indulge me as I proclaim God’s good news in my FB posts. I sincerely believe God has me on assignment each day for these 6:00 am posts. Maybe FB annoys you when you see some of the shenanigans of people and some of the outrageous things they say. On the other hand, like me, maybe God is calling you to be a good news "bearer" that sees FB as a mission field where you can share God's love to a world that needs it so much. Maybe it's your light that will turn off the darkness in their world. So shine, Baby, shine!

"Then He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." (Mark 16:15) Thanks, FB, for helping to facilitate 10 years of spreading that "good news". I love living in this glass home where others can see my heart for God and His love for all of my FB friends and family AND me!

The Perfect Gift

Do you remember your all-time favorite Christmas gift as a child? MIne was a Tiny Tears Doll set. It was so awesome that she cried real tears and wet her diapers. LOL! My nephew, Mark David Lawrence, to this day, remembers his favorite gift -- it was one of those 60s electronic football games (not computer generated) from my Mom (his Mamaw). It was his dream come true. Those gifts for us were the perfect Christmas gifts!

I keep getting email messages that the subject line reads, "Give your family and friends "THE PERFECT GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS". I've been deleting most of those and not even checking to find out what they meant until yesterday. THE PERFECT GIFT??? A Gift Card. And, I thought, yes, gift cards are great because you can buy anything you want. But, why not just give someone cash? What's the big deal of the PERFECT GIFT being a Gift Card? Is it perfect if the receiver of the gift card doesn't need or want anything from that particular store. They just don't shop there....and then when they get to the store and start looking.....it takes FOREVER to find something there they want to use the gift card for. PERFECT? I don't think so.

I think you know where I'm headed with that observation. THE PERFECT GIFT? That ONLY PERFECT GIFT we could ever give, is that of HIM, Who is the PERFECT One, Who isn't a tangible "thing", but is the ALL in ALL, BEGINNING and END of joy, comfort, peace, life, love, happiness, and life everlasting. He is John 3:16 "For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son -- that whoever believes in Him, would not perish but have everasthig life."

So how do we give that PERFECT GIFT to others -- by giving ourselves as peacemakers, servants, joy-peace-hope bearers, by being LIGHTS that this world so needs and wants. Though Jesus is the ultimate, ever-ready, radiant, source of LIGHT that dispels darkness.....He told us in Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shines to all that are in the house. Even so let YOUR light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Your GIFT this season? YOU and YOUR LIGHT shining brightly so that others will come to know THE PERFECT GIFT -- Jesus Christ!