Dear Family of Love,
How about some good news for a change? Yes, good news. I had my follow up with my oncologist today and he told me that I'm cancer free, I get to see him in three months, and I will have my port taken out in a few weeks. Thanks be to God and Alleluia! Today it was as if Thanksgiving, my birthday, and Christmas were rolled all into one big Celebration of Joy, Healing, Living, and Loving. So we begin to celebrate a little bit early but yet we must remember Ferguson and God's broken and fragile world. A mix of the bitter and the sweet. We also must remember all those who continue to battle cancer and all chronic illnesses not all of them will have as happy an outcome as mine. So tonight on Take Care Tuesday we all need to take care of ourselves as we prepare for the upcoming hype filled holiday season. How can we take care of ourselves while we celebrate?
Here are my tips:
If you are tired delegate tasks to family members or someone else who can.
Get exercise outside
Make a list of things that you need to do each day leading up to Christmas.
Do not shop Black Friday Paint the town Pink and have some fun.
Do old fashioned observances and don't frequent all the shops that may be open on holidays.
If you party and drink, designate a designated driver.
Don't text and drive.
Keep things basic and simple.
Go to a museum, art gallery, concert, or live theater production so that you can exercise your cultural muscles.
Give the gift of your presence to others.
Use gift wrapping services. I'm lousy at it.
Celebrate life with all of your friends and family.
Connect and reconnect with people you haven't seen by phone or Skype. If you choose to do Christmas cards, work a little bit each day.
Here is the biggie and as in the Bible that the "First shall be last and the Last shall be first.!"
Reconnect and connect with God, Prayer, Meditation, and Check back in with your faith family. For those of us who are liturgically oriented, observe Advent. Take it slow and easy and rest in the Lord.
Tonight let's take time to begin our Thanksgiving and Gratitude list and meditate on it. Take your time. Here is tonight's meditation music:Mannheim Steam Roller Fresh Aire 8
Gracious God we celebrate and remember:
God we celebrate all that is new in our lives that give us joy and meaning.
God we remember times when you have called us to do extraordinary things that we didn't feel we could do.
God we celebrate and give thanks for_______________
God we remember all those who are protesting the Grand Jury's report in Ferguson and across the country. May they peacefully protest and not be led to violent acts.
God we celebrate Your Good News daily may we always remember our lives are dedicated to the service to the least of these.
God we remember all of our departed loved one this holiday season.
God we celebrate all that is good in our lives in both good times and bad.
God we remember to pray for peace, justice, love, and mercy for your fragile and broken world.
God we celebrate our faith in you as we go over to the other side of the lake to rest and pray.
God we remember and pray for all who mourn.
God we remember and pray for all who are in need of healing.
God we remember and pray for the dying and those who have died today. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
God we remember to pray for rain and seasonable. weather.
God we lift up these our prayers in the name of your son Jesus. Amen.
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Good Night Family of Love. I love you, You matter, You matter to God, You matter to me, and you are a precious gift from God. I give thanks to God for you this day and always. Don't forget to intentionally take care of yourselves this holiday season and avoid the hype.
Love, prayers, peace, and blessings,
Sara
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