3 | Passionate Homemaking | Loving simple, natural, and intentional living

A Homemade Family Christmas

by Michele on Dec 12, 2011 in building the family, frugal & simple, learning at home

Photo Credit: ktylerconk

Post by Contributing Writer, Michele of Frugal Granola

Part of the fun of Christmas preparations in our family is involving the little ones in making homemade gifts. Depending on their ages/abilities, the level of their contributions may vary, but they love the feeling of “being in on the surprise.”

It is so sweet to see a child’s joy of giving on Christmas morning, when they say “I made it just for you!” (On the occasion when they admit, “Mama/Daddy helped,” I just respond, “That’s what mommies/daddies are for! You did a wonderful job.” And they smile.)

Some children creatively think of gifts to make for members of the family on their own, while others may prefer an “assigned” project that you work on together. Here are some ideas that allow for little hands, to get you started.

The majority of these projects are intended to be done as a family/with a parent; savor the joy of Christmas together! Many of these gifts are also suitable for friends/neighbors or extended family; tailor it to your family’s gift-giving traditions.

Photo Credit: katerha

For Mama

Homemade Sugar Scrub (Children love to smell the bottles of essential oils, and choose their favorites!)
Pallet Shelves (Great for little people that love to hammer the nails.)
Orange Flower Hand Lotion (from “A Natural Noel“)
Happy Angel Ornaments
Energizing Bath Tea Bags (If you don’t want to use muslin bags, disposable bags that you iron shut are also available.)
Seed Balls or Decorated Tins of Seeds
Orange Peel Candles
Bird Seed Ornaments

Photo Credit: James Bowe

For Daddy

Pallet Shelves (also on the list for Mama)
Homemade Aftershave (Again, children love smelling those essential oils! We’ve made recipe #2, adding in aloe and masculine-scented essential oils of cedarwood and lavender.)
Embroidered Handprints (Place in a small frame for his office/desk.)
Spoon Garden Markers (He’ll be ready for spring planting!)
Homemade Custom Notepads (The business card suggestion is a great idea, too!)
Herbal Fire Starters (It’s even more fun if the children have helped grow/gather the herbs.)
Mini First Aid Kit (The perfect size to tuck into a glove compartment or fishing box.)
Bowl made from Baking Soda Clay (to store the odds & ends at his desk or dresser)
Magnetic Airplane Clip (to display all their art for Daddy!)

Photo Credit: Nico Paix

For Siblings

Homemade Cornstarch Paint
Fabric Roads (Perfect for repurposing old jeans, and pairs well with a new toy car!)
Domino Stones (or Alphabet Rocks)
Watercolor Sketch Books (These could make good gifts for Mama or Daddy, too.)
Homemade Moon Sand (If you’re in the US, the “corn flour” is known as “cornstarch”.)
Mini Crayon Holder
Busy Bags (such as the Felt Play Board)
Homemade Finger Paints
Shape-Sorting Memory Game

Gift-making can be a wonderful time of intentionally carving out some quality family time together, as well as practicing generosity for others. You’ll be establishing cherished traditions, valued character traits, and life-long memories!

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Stubby Pencil Studio Giveaway!

by Lindsay on Dec 10, 2011 in news & giveaways

While recently putting together my children’s art center, I was on the look out for some cute creative art tools that were natural for them to explore with without being exposed to unnecessary chemicals. They love coloring, painting, and drawing with a variety of tools. So when I was introduced to Stubby Pencil Studio, I was beyond thrilled.

Stubby Pencil Studio offers eco friendly products and arts and crafts for kids. You’ll find crayons made from soy – not petroleum; stationery and sketchbooks made from 100% post consumer recycled paper – not virgin trees; pencils made from sustainably harvested wood and recycled newspapers – not dying forests. Stubby Pencil Studio is committed to offering quality and earth friendly goods, at an affordable price, and you’ll find an expanding collection of creative products that are unique, non-toxic, recycled, fair trade, educational, sustainable or environmentally responsible. Stubby Pencil Studio is based locally in Portland, Oregon, so it makes it extra special to discover them.

We have been exploring with many of their art supplies and have been absolutely in love! I love the assortment of supplies that are easily used by both my toddler and preschooler. Chunky colored pencils and the washable markers have been especially enjoyed. My daughter loves markers, but with the staining nature of them, I wanted a good set of washable markers. Stubby Pencil Studio offers a wonderful vibrant set that we have been using and they work! No more stains. The set of watercolor paints with bamboo brush are lovely. I have been extremely impressed by the quality of the products and thrilled by the reasonable priced items in their collection. Their products make the perfect stocking stuffers for all your little ones! Check out their special gifts under $10 section for lots of gift ideas!

Today, Stubby Pencil Studio is offering our readers a First Artists Gift Set for two separate winners (a retail value of $100.00 each)!

The set includes:

First Art: Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos
Jungle Juice Art Apron
Jumbo Soy Crayons
Giant Colored Pencils
Jumbo Graphite Pencils
Crayon Rocks
Learner Pencils
Supercolor Jumbo Markers
KUM Pencil Sharpener
Watercolors with Bamboo Brush
Baby Stamps
Holiday Smencils

To Enter:

Visit Stubby Pencil Studios, check out their creative product line. Come back and share your favorite Stubby Pencil product. Or offer a suggestion for products that Stubby Pencil Studios might provide in the future. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

We encourage you to visit and “like” Stubby Pencil Studios’ facebook page or subscribe to their newsletter to follow up on featured items and updates as well as current online discount codes.

Stubby Pencil Studios would like to offer a special discount code to all Passionate Homemaking Readers giving you 10% off of your order until 12/15/11. Enter: “HOL10″ at checkout.

Giveaway closed.

Giveaway limited to US and Canadian participants.
Winner will be randomly selected and contacted on the Wednesday following the completion of the giveaway. The end of this post will be updated to announce the winners.
Email subscribers: You must click through to the original post on Passionate Homemaking to be entered into this giveaway.
No purchase necessary.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING WINNERS:

Ashley- marriedlan…..@….
Jen- jen@….

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Frugal, Festive Hair for Your Little Girl (Or You!)

by NDidlake on Dec 09, 2011 in frugal & simple

by monthly contributor, Natalie Didlake

Here’s a tutorial on how to get fabulous, Shirley Temple-style curls on your daughter. You’ll love the look, she’ll feel like a princess, and you both will have a great time putting these comfy, easy, and free rollers in!

I have fond memories of holiday eves curling my hair with my mom, and I love making those same memories with my daughter. (The above pic was taken at least 24 hours after her rollers were taken out…still curly! So sorry I didn’t get a better pic.)

Note: I’ve rolled my own hair like this, then pulled it back into a curly ponytail…a thrill for a girl who’s always had straight hair!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- An old sheet, pillowcase, or other discarded cotton
- Brush
- Spray bottle filled with water
- Snacks or other bribe to keep a wiggly child sitting still for 10-15 minutes

WHAT YOU’LL DO:
1. Cut the pillowcase into 2″ x 6″ strips. I have about 20, but thin hair will require less, and thick hair more.

2. Brush out clean, dry hair very smooth. (Hair can also be very slightly damp.)

3. Spritz dry hair from roots to end very lightly with a spray bottle filled with water.

4. Starting at the crown of the head, separate a section about 1″ x 1″, or however much hair you’d use to curl with a curling iron. Brush the section directly away from the head at a 90 degree angle.

5. Put rag on the underside of the hair, at the ends. Roll the hair around the rag tightly, all the way to the roots. Make the sure the ends do not slip out.

6. Tie the rag in a double knot around the hair.

7. Have your daughter sleep on these comfy rollers overnight. If hair feels damp in the morning, run a warm blow drier over the rollers.
8. Carefully unroll the rags, working from roots to ends. Do not try to pull them out!

9. Brush out for frizzy, wavy hair. Don’t brush for ringlet-style curls. Spritz with hair-spray for longer hold, and garnish with a big bow! These curls usually hold almost all day on my lively daughter’s fine, straight hair.

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Enjoying the Simplicity of Staying Home

by Lindsay on Dec 07, 2011 in building the family, making a home

A reader asked: How much time during the week do you allow for time away from home and/or open your home for things like playdates/hospitality towards other moms. Our church is strong on community and “living life together” and living missionally (which I am totally on board and excited about). However, lately, it feels like we are away from home more mornings than we are home. Those times usually end up with kids in one room playing and moms in another chatting/venting/hopefully encouraging one another. I want my kids to learn the importance of community, but I fear this is encouraging peer-orientation and taking away from my discipleship of my kids. I know I am to be “busy at home” and it just feels like playdates are a good excuse to ignore these duties. Any thoughts/guidelines you use?

If there is one lesson I have learned since the arrival of my third child is that the easiest way to avoid stress and outbursts of anger at my children is to simply stay home. When you consider the work necessary to get four people (including myself) fed, clothed, diapers changed, potty visited, shoes tied, and coats buttoned, I am rather worn out.

Could our time be better invested by simply staying home?

There is true joy to be found in simply being at home. We do experience a lot pressure in our culture to get out and do things in order to supposedly stay sane. It could be a pull to many good things, like much needed fellowship with other woman. Don’t get me wrong. I believe it is very important to be in fellowship with other believers (Hebrews 13:3). But you don’t have to go to the latest play group or gym class for your child to develop socially. You don’t have to go to every storytime or sing-along for your child to love books and be exposed to the wonders of music. You don’t have to go to every moms group to stay connected in community with others. “Ballet classes for 3 year olds are glorified playgrounds,” as one friend so aptly put it. You can do it right from your own living room. There is a balance that we must come through by prayer and seeking the counsel of our husbands.

When it comes to our family, we follow one basic weekly guideline we shoot for – one morning/afternoon outing per week. There may be an occasional reason requiring us to go out again, but this is the most common plan. This might be a playdate with another family, a field trip to our local children’s museum, or storytime at the local library. We believe strongly in the importance of community, so we host a small group within our home on a weekly basis where we share and live life together and challenge on another in missional living. The girls in our small group get together on a monthly basis over coffee or have a night in the hot tub for focused fellowship. We also participate in a monthly Bible study together digging into a book of the Bible. We love it! These things are manageable.

As far as hospitality goes, we usually open our home 1-2 times per month for general hospitality to families in our church or neighboring community. We have the freedom also to call one another as needed. I try to restrict phone calls to nap times so as not to detract me from my kiddos. But this can be an easy way to connect with others, to share needs, encourage one another, and pray without even leaving my home.

I’ve found that if I try to pack up multiple times per week and go somewhere with my kids, my homemaking certainly does suffer. My children ultimately suffer too. They love routine, regular nap periods, reading time together, and such. When we are constantly on the go, they are far more inclined to get grumpy and very needy. They lack Mommy’s focused attention. It’s nearly impossible to work on heart training when you are out and about as well. For the peace and growth of our family we need to be at home together.

There have been multiple times where I sat nursing my baby, untying a knotted shoe, and searching for directions to our destination all at the same time, while reminding one child (for the third time, I dare say) to find his coat, and the other to go to the bathroom. Getting three little kids that are rather helpless out the door is a lengthy and stressful process. I am helplessly impatient with my children as the moments tick by.

Mommy is certainly less stressed, children are more happy, and our household is better maintained when this Mommy slows down and finds delight in creatively using her time at home. If I am feeling lonely or experiencing self-pity about staying home, it is a reminder to stop and check my heart. Where am I seeking to find my fulfillment? Am I looking for my help in others first before my sweet Lord? Why not befriend a book, or the Book of all Books. I want to make sure my heart is still first and foremost towards my first mission – honoring the Lord in our family and home. Beautifying this place. Cultivating domestic serenity here and now.

We are learning valuable life skills and teamwork from our own home today as we work together cutting apples for the dehydrator, unloading the dishwasher, reading stories, memorizing poetry and verses, shaping letters, running around playing hide and seek, and taking a daily pause to rest. This is beautiful when you learn to see the art before your eyes. Time is too precious to waste too much of it running here and there.

I pray you would be blessed to be able to slow down and see the treasure of staying home and delighting in that.

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Treasured Christmas Books to Read with Little Ones

by Lindsay on Dec 06, 2011 in building the family, learning at home

A special way we enjoy keeping our focus on the true meaning of Christmas is to stock up on a collection of fun meaningful Christmas storybooks. Each day we love to snuggle up with a book or two and focus our hearts again on the richness and joy of the season. As we continue to read and share with our children, the more they grow to understand the beauty of Christ’s birth. Each year we like to purchase a book or two to add to our Christmas storybook collection that we can draw out each year. This year we wrapped them up and including this special unveiling among our advent calendar activities.

Here are some of our favorite Christmas reads for the season:

The Legend of the Christmas Tree by Rick Osborne

The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg

The Legend of the Christmas Stocking by Rick Osborne

The Story of St. Nicholas: More than Reindeer and A Red Suit by Voice of the Martyrs

The Three Gifts of Christmas by Jennie Bishop

The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Hunt

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski

The Pine Tree Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs

The Gift of the Magi by O Henry

The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (adapted picture book version)

The Candle In the Window by Grace Johnson

Jacob’s Gift by Max Lucado

One Wintry Night by Ruth Graham Belle

Christmas Carols for Kids Hearts by Sergio Martinez

Josie’s Gift by Kathleen Bostrom

We Believe in Christmas by Karen Kingsbury

The Indescribable Gift by Richard Exley

Want to add your favorites to the list?

Why not stop with me, pick up a book and read to your little ones today. It’s the best foundation for their education.

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“On the First Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me…”

by Trina Holden on Dec 05, 2011 in building the family

Written by contributing writer, Trina Holden.

Chances are this week you’re in the thick of making a list and checking it twice and I’m sure you don’t think you need one more thing to think about. But even while encouraging simplicity this Christmas, I’m gonna throw out a unique challenge.

I’m gonna suggest you add one more thing to your list.

Your husband.

Yes, I know you have him on your list already, and maybe you’ve already found just the right gift to bless him on Christmas Day. But what about today? What about the busy weeks counting down to Christmas, when your time and energy are stretched to fulfill all that this season requires of you as a wife and mother and homemaker? Is there a way you can keep this most important relationship – this man God has given you, in the forefront of your thoughts, maintaining your friendship even in this hectic season?

There is a way you can add a little holiday spice to your marriage. It’s so simple, it’s almost corny. But I’ve been keeping this little tradition with my husband for 6 years and every year he says it’s his favorite part of the whole season.

We call it “Twelve Days” but it has nothing to do with Partridges and Pear Trees. The idea is that I give him a little gift on each of the twelve days leading up to Christmas. The gifts are not big, often just a favorite cookie or candy, but the value of the gift lies in that I’ve thought of him. When he finds 3 envelopes on the ‘Third Day of Christmas’ or a half a dozen of his favorite cookies on Day Six, his eyes light up like a kid at Christmas, and I fall in love with the tradition (and him!) all over again.

If you’d like to start this tradition in your house, it’s not too late! I usually call Dec. 13^th our ‘first day’, so you still have time to gather some things from around the house or on your next trip to town. Here’s a list of items to get you started…

Day 1: Any single object – this is where I usually spend a little money and give him something I’d otherwise have tucked under the tree. A hat, tool, piece of masculine jewelry, etc.

Day 2: Think pairs! Socks, gloves, matching mugs for him and her, sunglasses, pants, long underwear, tickets to a concert or a game.

Days 3, 4, 5, and 6: What comes in packs? Golf balls, socks, briefs, favorite candy, guitar picks, favorite beverage, refills for his razor.

Days 7, 8, 9, 10, 11: Higher numbers get a little trickier – just think ‘small’ and you can do it! Cookies, packaged and delivered to work. A CD with 11 songs. Post-it-note love notes hidden through the house.

Day 12: Think ‘by the dozen’ or ’12 months in a year’. A magazine subscription, coupons for a monthly date night or a dozen chicken wings for lunch.

More ideas…

A book or film with a number in the title
A series of emails or texts sent to him throughout the day
A gift certificate or coupons for his favorite meal
A collection of poems (Haiku is a quick and easy!)
One year I publicly praised my husband by posting 10 things I loved about him on my blog

Get Romantic!

Decorate your bedroom with a number of lit candles
Love letters — New or old
A custom CD of your favorite love songs
Coupons to redeem for a massage — given by you!

Once you’ve collected your little gifts, wrap the items up and stash them away where he won’t find them. I jot down which gift I’m giving him on which day in my day planner so I don’t forget. I also like to plan when and how to present each gift — under his pillow, on his vehicle seat, in his work boots — so I have everything thought out in advance, and I can pull off our little tradition with ease despite the rush of those final days leading up to Christmas.

It takes just a little extra effort on my part to fit this in with everything else, but it is totally worth it for the sparkle it brings to our relationship at a time where it might otherwise suffer. It helps me keep my man my priority even when so many other things call. I look forward to Dec. 13^th and eagerly anticipate to the look on his face when he realizes his favorite tradition has begun again.

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NaturoKits Giveaway!

by Lindsay on Dec 03, 2011 in news & giveaways

Are you looking for a simple first aid kit to keep on hand for quick access for many basic ailments that your family encounters? Look no further. NaturoKits is a fabulous locally owned and operated business out of Portland, Oregon that offers high quality naturopathic kits for every family. With a few basic supplies you are set to meet the majority of everyday cuts, bruises, and sicknesses you may experience. The vision of NaturoKits is to be an internationally renowned company which empowers families everywhere to take charge of their personal health in a holistic way with safe and non-toxic natural medicines.

We personally have been using the NaturoKit for over a year now and can testify to its effectiveness and usefulness. From stomaches and nausea solved with Activated Charcoal, to stress and anxiety calmed with Crisis Calm, to healing chapped skin, scraps, and bruises with the moisturizing Wild Weed Salve. I love this kit! I love the handy reference chart that is included that lists a variety of ailments and which medicine to take to address the issue.

NaturoKits offers two different kits for your family, the Basic First Aid NaturoKit which is their full complete care package containing 9 different potions, and the First Aid MiniKit which includes the favorite 3 potions: activated charcoal, arnica, and wild weed salve. These kits make a easy travel first aid kit for your care as well as wonderful stocking stuffers for anyone on your life – from employees to relatives. They each come package in an easy to use zipper case or cotton bag.

Today, NaturoKits is offering our readers a First Aid Mini Kit for two separate winners (a retail value of $19.95 each)!

To Enter:

Visit NaturoKits and check out the first aid kits. Come back and tell us what are your favorite natural medicine products. Or offer a suggestion for products that NaturoKits might provide in the future. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

We encourage you to visit and “like” NaturoKits facebook page or subscribe to their newsletter to follow up on future discounts and updates as well as helpful hints and tips on natural holistic health care.

Giveaway closed.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING WINNERS:

Hannah- hannah.four…@…
Krista- kwhel…@…

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November at Our Home

by Lindsay on Dec 02, 2011 in news & giveaways

I have been laid out on my back this last week sick with a nasty stomach flu. I don’t recall ever being this incredibly sick before. All things went on hold. Mommy could do absolutely nothing. Helpless. It was a fresh reminder of the importance of rest. Rest is a beautiful necessity. Sleep. Sabbath. Since all I could do was nurse my baby, I felt a sweet rekindling in that baby bonding time. Tis so sweet. Moments slip by and my little Eden girl is nearly 4 months old. She has been a rich treasure and joy to our family. It’s hard to imagine what a happy baby she is. She is so peaceful. Such a refreshing blessing after the first two were a bit on the challenging side. Growing in my motherhood does encourage so much more of a flexible and laid back attitude which I appreciate.

Titus, Eden & Karis - my three special gifts

In an effort to be intentional about adopting an attitude and demeanor of rest, I began scheduling in a 15 minutes rest period every afternoon (with a daily alarm on my phone set to remind me as well!). I consider it my “daily pause” in the day. A time to sit down, light a candle, drink a cup of tea, and simply read for just 15 minutes. A moment to stop, think, listen, and glean. To fill my soul after the rush of the morning activities. To renew me again to embrace the rest of my day. Imagine how much you could read if you would stop for 15 minutes? It’s sweet to this soul.

Me and my studly husband

My toddler and preschooler are thriving well at our studies. We have admittedly cut back quite a bit from our more aggressive original preschool year 2 plan as we figured out what was going to work best for us.

We have been focusing on memory work primarily, seeking to establish a broad foundation of language, and I am truly loving it. We are memorizing Scripture, poetry, catechism questions, the continents, the books of the Bible, and the kids are picking it up so fast. Even my two year old just loves reciting for us all that he has learned together with his sister. I love Language Arts for Little Ones. It gives my Karis such fun exercises in narration, storytelling, art work, and poetry (which is the source of most of our poetry memory work).

In November my husband and I took a quick beach trip retreat with the leadership of our church, as Aaron is serving as a Deacon in training at our church right now. It was a sweet time together. We had our three little ones dedicated to the Lord surrounded by our church family this month as well. We were excited to partner with the body of believers in striving to raise them for the glory of God. Thanksgiving was celebrated as a family at home in the peace of our own intimate family. We barbecued a turkey and made our own fixings for the first time. We really enjoyed the sweet family time together followed by a lovely dessert at extended family’s home. We couldn’t beat having some great leftovers for once!

A Beautiful Day to Give Thanks

I look out on this cold December day and see a beautiful partly clear sky with the sun shining brightly. It fills me with delight and reminding me of the importance of continuing my pursuit of recording the daily blessings that God has poured out in my life. Making my way up to 1000 and beyond.

746. Honey and lemon to soothe a painful cough
747.for sweet drawings crafted for children around the world
748. Blessing my hubby with a clean car
749. Finding help for the management of my blog
750. Inspired to simply study God one verse at a time
751. For cleared draining boards at last
752. Seeing our kids immensely enjoy an old classic Disney movie that we enjoyed as children
753. A quick coffee break
754. The sweet rest as a family over pizza, games and a movie
755. Capturing the sweet smiles of kiddos nested in leaves on camera
756. Heart to heart with my hubby
757. Little people helping daddy rake leaves
758. New jeans to replace the wholly that have seen better days
759. Crockpot freezer cooking day
760. Exploring advent ideas for a fun holiday season
761. For sagging pants on the sweet skinny bottom of a toddler
762. For the love of a husband to live life together through the thick and thin
763. Peace and serenity through a cup of tea and candles
764. Overhearing the children’s giggles while playing with daddy
765. Meditating on the nature and beauty of God
766. Crafting our own thanksgiving celebration
767. Fun ideas for a month of Advent
768. Blessing a sister with a shower of goodies as she prepares for a little bundle of joy
769. Finding inspiration through pinterest
770. An adorable family photo captured
771. Love notes tucked away in car dashboards
772. Enjoying real life tools with my munchkins
773. The glorious splendor of fall leaves
774. A thankful tree to cherish sweet thanks from our little brood
775. Dinner table devotions over sweet candlelight
776. Ironing clothes with two helpers- one with starch and the other with lint roller in hand
777. A doctor within a 5 min drive
778. For a lovely nap
779. Leaves blowing in the wind
780. Daddy playing instruments with the kiddos
781. The creative ideas of kiddos playing with blocks
782. Snuggling with my baby as we talk back and forth in our own language forms

As we prepare our hearts for this holiday season, may we continue in this reverential spirit of thanks and rest. May we seek to focus on the building of relationships, of giving generously rather than receiving. May our hearts be in tuned to the Creator’s leading. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!

Pear & Bleu Cheese Salad

by Lindsay on Dec 01, 2011 in recipes & kitchen tips

We made this pear salad for our Thanksgiving feast and it has become our new absolute favorite salad! It is so flavorful and delicious, balancing sweet and savory. I seriously could eat this whole salad at once! Just had to pass on the recipe for your own enjoyment. You can make it lovely and festive with dried cranberries and avocado as well.

Ingredients:

1 bag (10 oz) fresh salad greens, or 1 head spinach
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1-2 pears, thinly sliced or cubed
1/2 cup bleu cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup candied pecans or walnuts (make your own here)
1 avocado, cubed (optional)
1/4 cup dried cranberries (optional)

Dressing:

1/4 cup maple syrup or honey (preferably raw)
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar (preferably raw)
1/4 cup olive oil (preferably cold pressed)
1/3 cup mayonaise
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Directions:

1. Layer the mixed greens, onion, pears, bleu cheese, pecans. Add avocado or dried cranberries as desired.
2. Blend the dressing ingredients together in a blender. Pour over the salad just before serving.

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Finding Peace in God’s Presence

by ADunagan on Nov 30, 2011 in building the family

By monthly contributor, Ann Dunagan of Harvest Ministry

‘Tis the season to be jolly . . . yet often overly busy.

Writing Christmas cards. Decorating the house. Buying and wrapping presents. Cooking. Baking. Preparing for parties and hospitality. Getting ready for church events. Just thinking about all these things we “need” to do can be exhausting, but it doesn’t need to be.

As we’re heading into the Christmas season, a time to celebrate God’s PEACE and joy, let’s remember to simply seek God for what should be done (and what activities could be eliminated to bring more of God’s presence into our homes and family).

To stay in God’s divine daily balance, let’s make PRAYER a priority!

Jon and I just returned home from a thrilling two-week mission outreach to East Africa, so in addition to all of our upcoming Christmas activities, I’m catching up with kiddos and homeschooling, doing weeks of past ministry correspondence (and laundry!!!), helping my husband with oversight for 500+ remote village pastors from nine different nations who are joining with our ministry, seeking God’s provision for 750+ orphan children, preparing for big-kids coming home from college (including a just-engaged son — making two upcoming summer weddings), plus thinking about what to do for upcoming holiday meals with lots of company and for three immediate-family-member December birthdays . . . Whew!!!

Is it possible to have peace in the midst of busyness?

YES!!! The key is casting our cares on the Lord, and spending special time in the presence of God, one-on-one with Jesus, our Almighty Prince of Peace.

The will of God —
nothing less, nothing more, nothing else.”
— F. E. Marsh

Real PEACE comes from the PRESENCE of Jesus!

Special moments at Guma Na Yesu Children

Think of everything Jesus needed to do!!!

I just love the example our Lord Jesus demonstrated to us during His time here on earth. Instead of being directed by the overwhelming needs of the moment, Jesus took time to pray and to seek the Heavenly Father’s perfect direction for each day, and did exactly (and only) what needed to be done . . .

Jesus only lived 33 years on earth and spent just 3 short years in ministry.

In this short time period, Jesus had more on His “to-do” list than any of of could ever comprehend.

He was responsible for providing God’s only way of salvation for all humanity.

He had to establish a brand-new worldwide training program (through scriptural teaching and personal example) to explain God’s eternal kingdom.

He had to equip His ground-level leaders (in deep theology and practical life skills) for future global impact.

And on top of all that, He couldn’t sin or make a mistake . . . not even once!

Even with such a limited time allotment, an eternally important job, and such spiritual “pressure” (from our point of view), Jesus was never rushed or stressed-out. In spite of all He needed to do (and because of all He needed to do), Jesus always took time to pray.

God’s perspective is so much different than ours.

During his 33 years on earth, Jesus took 30 years to live as a simple carpenter and to simply “be” with His Heavenly Father. Jesus was totally perfect and totally God-in-the-Flesh, yet throughout His life He took time to seek God’s direction and guidance. Even when everyone else was busy and multitudes had pressing needs, Jesus took time to be quiet and to get away, and to pray.

Mark 1:35-38 says,

“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He [Jesus] went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for you.”

But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”

Instead of being directed by the overwhelming needs of the moment, Jesus took time to pray in a solitary place (and He didn’t even tell His disciples where He was going). After this personal prayer time, Jesus knew the heavenly Father’s perfect direction for that day, and He did exactly what needed to be done.

If prayer was that important to Jesus, it should be important to us!

Finding PEACE . . . through PRAYER!

If you haven’t been praying regularly, it’s a good idea to begin by setting aside a particular new “MEETING TIME” with God:

perhaps set your morning alarm a bit earlier

perhaps establish a habit of reading the Bible as you’re sipping your morning coffee

perhaps take time for the Lord during your children’s quiet time in the afternoon

perhaps pray in the evening, after you put your kids to bed

May God bless you with PEACE this Christmas season . . . as you take time to seek Him in the quiet place, in a time of prayer.

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