Tag: cookies

Maybe… just Maybe

Published on by marycatherinethomasLeave a comment

““Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.” Jeremiah 23:5 (NKJV)

Last evening our ladies in the church gathered for a Cookie and Conversation event. It was a relaxing time together and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did.

I gave the devotion using the empty boxes that I wrap and put around our ‘fancy’ Christmas tree in the living room of our home. After the devotion a couple of women commented (not seriously), “I thought we were going to get presents.” We all laughed. I told them they were welcome to the empty boxes.

As I sat this morning thinking of last night it occurred to me that we all become children in this season to an extent. Yes, there is the stress and hassle of getting things done and accomplished, scratching things off a list, adding more things to the list, visiting people and so on and so forth.

But secretly, deep down, when we see a person we know holding a gift and walking towards us, don’t we get a certain twinge of excitement? Is it for me? I wonder what’s in there? Those thoughts before the dreaded thought of “oh no! I don’t have anything for them” appear.

This is a season of hope and excitement even if there is no tree, no gifts, no lights, no cookies. Residing deep within this season is a gift of hope and expectation. A season where we anticipate.

Personally, I think that gift of hope is a annual gift from our Lord. The year is ending, a new one approaching. This year, to be honest may have sucked. Big. Time. But there is hope. A new, fresh year is coming in a couple of weeks. Anticipation. Hope. Excitement.

A New Year with possibilities. Things may be different. Things may be the same, but, you have survived this year. “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—my Savior and 6 my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you—” Psalm 42:5-6a (NLT)

It’s Going to Catch up With Me

Published on by marycatherinethomas3 Comments

As I sit here at one in the afternoon, I am enjoying my third cup of coffee. To many, that is a normal day. For me, that is disaster waiting to happen. I love coffee, caffeinated coffee. (well any, real or decaf) I usually restrict myself to one cup and a possible swallow in another cup. I have done this for years.

Occasionally though, I slip into a bad habit. I think to myself, I can have at least one more. It’s because I am spoiling myself with a cookie or a piece of cake or pie. They go together so well.

Christmas Eve I had two morning cups and a cup mid afternoon. You know, it was Christmas Eve.

Yesterday, Christmas I did the same. I didn’t have any bad reactions the day before, so, why not?

As I finish this cup, I get a gentle nudge. Memories of restless nights and shaky hands come to mind. I understand. I cannot do three cups in one day, unless it is early and decaf.

So, although the smell of the freshly brewed coffee is luring me into the kitchen, I will grab my glass of water and be thankful for that.

I am learning how to say no to things that I enjoy. So far (besides the coffee) I have had a successful holiday season. I have limited my intake of chocolates, fudge, cookies and all the other baked goods. I have been proud of my success in this. I have not missed any of it.

Now I will carry my empty cup, pass the coffee maker, and put the cup in the dishwasher. Sometimes walking past the coffee maker is a hard thing to do.