“…Walk as children of light—for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” Ephesians 5:8-9 (Holman Bible)
January is many things: celebrations, resolutions, new diets, exercise programs….and more resolutions. But if I was only allowed one word to describe January, it would be “gray.” Here in East Tennessee the skies are gray, the roads are gray, the tree trunks and limbs are gray, and very often it seems to seep so deeply into my soul that my spirit feels gray. After the excitement and anticipation of Christmas is over, January can often evoke a “let-down” feeling. So every January I must don extra spiritual armor to fight the “January grays”. My best weapon is LIGHT, lots of light—sunlight, lamp light and candle light. There is just something about candle light in a home in the evenings that creates a cozy, upbeat atmosphere.
Jesus says “I am the Light of the world”, so I know I can always look to Him for a big dose of Son Light. His Light dispels the darkness and shines on these gray January days. He will guide us by His Spirit and Word not only through the January days but also through every day of 2012. We know that sunlight (and Son Light) is essential to our well-being, so resolve today to begin each morning allowing the Son Light to bathe your soul in the warmth of His Light and goodness. Then walk “as children of light” all during the day….and remember to light some candles tonight.
(c) 2012 Leslie Ooten Kelley
I wish I could take credit for the recipe below, but it belongs to Anonymous:
Recipe for a Happy New Year
Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate. Cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness–in short, see that these months are freed from all the past. Have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time, but prepare one day at a time.
Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest, prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.
Anonymous
Blessings in 2012!