Sabbath Sundries

I try to get a personalized ornament every few years … this was a big year for us so wanted to get something that captured our family in this season. Absolutely love this one I ordered from Etsy!! You send a current pic and she sketches out and hand-paint’s them 😍
Didn’t send out Christmas cards, but wishing everyone a joy- filled, peaceful Advent season! ❤️🎄🎁

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.

-Isaiah 9:6-7

Got to spend a little time at a monastery last week. I’ve been wanting to go for awhile and since last week our church was focusing on the practice of “solitude” I decided to go for it.

I was in my little room talking to Jesus about how I feel there is a new season on the horizon but I don’t know where He is leading. I feel like I’m missing something… like I’m floating out to sea just waiting for some kind of map to drop in my lap and tell me where to go.

I struggle with not taking action if I don’t know enough to feel secure. I’m realizing that means information has become my security, not God…

I know trust is the bigger goal because it grows my capacity for peace in the present, regardless of any future outcome. Trust is the antithesis of anxiety, or maybe the cure?

I know that is true but I don’t live like I believe it.

Anyway, as I went downstairs to explore I passed by a quote on the wall from Thomas Merton (who I love reading!) and they even had little cards of the same quote printed out to take with you (Thanks Jesus 😉)

“My Lord God,

I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust in you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Amen.”

So maybe it isn’t so much the what as it is the why. If your truest desire/heart is to love, honor, and walk with God, then the rest is just details…

Lord help me release my grip on the details and the obsession of wanting to know it all. I trust that you hold the map… and I know You are a much better navigator than I am. ✨✨✨✨✨

☀️ Flash sale!☀️ I have 8 of these gift sets, ready to ship! 🎉 A full size whipped tallow, a full size face/beard oil and a peppermint tallow lip balm! The whipped tallow and face oil have a woodsy scent, great for the guys, but I’ve found a lot of women like the deeper scent as well! 😎