tree – Amy Linnea

Christmas Crazy

Published on December 7, 2024December 7, 2024 by amylinneaLeave a comment

You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

What is Christmas?

What is your initial reaction to the word?

Pressure? Joy? Anticipation?

I’m guessing you feel all three.

I’ve always LOVED Christmas, but my word.

Pressure to shop, wrap, and mail the perfect gifts.

Pressure to plan and host multiple large Christmas dinners.

Pressure to keep up traditions like making grandma’s cookies, gather everyone for Christmas Eve church, and find festive holiday wear.

And don’t forget that family photo. Or scheduling everything when kids have very busy schedules.

Ugh.

It’s too much, isn’t it?

Where did this all come from?

All the pressure to perform.

Pleasing people instead of pleasing God.

Christmas plans are not all bad.

In fact, they’re mostly amazing. They’re purposeful. Full of future memories.

Activities, presents, baking, and creating memories are not what’s bad.

Those things become sour when you remove your focus from God to the season’s needs instead.

When you shift your focus from the baby in the manger to the gifts under the tree. Or the lack of gifts under the tree.

If you recognize that sour feeling start to bubble up, it’s time to prioritize your super long and detailed list.

Start by asking God what He wants for you this Christmas.

Think about your gift list, but don’t obsess.

Bake some cookies, but sneak some in from a friend or, gasp, a mix.

Embrace your new holiday meal of lovingly baked premade lasagna or chili from the crockpot.

Do you even remember each gift from your childhood?

Nope. Your kids won’t either.

Memories are created when surrounded by love and family.

If you focus too hard on making everything perfect, the memories might be soured by your attitude. Or lack of joy.

Christmas is a time for joy.

Joy for our Savior’s precious birth.

And joy from our precious families.

When Jesus was born, all he had was his family.

We don’t need all the stuff in order to make Christmas memorable.

All we need is family and Joy to the World the Lord has come.

Really ponder what God has done for us by sending Jesus into our world.

Nothing else even matters.

Photos by David Beale, Dan Kiefer, Josh Boot, & Bruno Martins on Unsplash

Pouring Blessings Out

Published on January 27, 2024January 26, 2024 by amylinnea2 Comments

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

Are you praying for God to bless others?

For others to have great success?

How about those you struggle to love?

Or people you cannot stand?

Shouldn’t we ask God to bless them, too?

Oh wait, they don’t deserve it. Is that it?

Well we don’t either, according to God’s law.

We are no more special than any other person.

What if instead of complaining, we bless?

What if instead of keeping division, we seek peace?

What if instead of walking away from we walk towards?

God is calling us higher.

Followers of God must differ from the world.

Blessing those who curse you is a real difference.

And it’s a great place to start.

Besides, when God begins to hear your heart, He just might bless them.

And they’ll be way less annoying anyhow.

More importantly, your heart will soften.

And don’t we all profess to want to be more like Jesus?

Choose to speak life over others.

The ones who will receive and the ones who will not.

You can start by inserting their name into Psalm 1:1-4, declaring that person is blessed. Like a well watered tree. Producing much fruit.

By speaking life over someone, your irritation will lessen towards them and God just might break through in their lives. And yours.

We cannot pretend to know God’s ways, but we can place our hearts with His, blessing instead of cursing those around us. Especially those who are the most irritating.

Photos by Creative Captures, Fumiaki Hayashi, Blake Cheek, & Sebastian Pichler on Unsplash

Roots

Published on September 7, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinnea2 Comments

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:3

How do we deeply believe in God?

What does that look like?

Picture a tree.

You are that tree.

Ok, you can be any tree you like.

Personally, I like Maple trees.

I used to collect those twirly things as a girl and sell them.

Anyhow, where are the roots of a typical healthy tree?

Underground.

Safe and secure.

Solid.

Watered from deep below the surface.

Your faith is like this tree.

Trees with deep roots withstand the blows of life easier than trees with small shallow roots, that are visible on the surface.

How do you grow your roots under your tree?

How do you deepen your faith?

Remembering His faithfulness to you.

Praying for your family and friends.

Fellowship with others who confirm His words.

Diving into His Word, taking them into your heart.

Sharing His faithfulness with others.

Singing worship to God, reminding you of His greatness.

Searching for His fingerprint.

His fingerprints are all over your life if you simply pause to look.

All of these things remind you of His faithfulness and point you towards Him.

Every time you purpose your mind on Him, your roots grow deeper.

Don’t forget to look back, proving my theory.

Think about storms big and small when you were a new Christian.

Probably fell over a few times.

Think about life now.

Yes, we fall over sometimes, but I bet you’re stronger now.

Bet you’ve had some monster storms you’ve withstood with God’s help.

But you kept your faith through them.

Oh, not perfectly, of course, but you’re still here.

You still believe despite.

Trees don’t work to grow their roots.

It happens with time and water.

And just like a tree, your faith will grow with time and water.

Time spent in faithfulness to God and water from His word, fellowship with others, and praying.

Just as a majestic tree stands solidly on the ground, towering over the earth, your faith will stand solidly on this earth, towering over fear and life absent from God.