My sister and I were talking recently and she made a statement that really stuck with me. She said that most people don't know how to talk to singles. She may have a point.
 I've found that even my church does not always know what to do with me. Depending on the subject matter, they include me with the young people (you know, the unmarried teenagers and college kids just starting their lives out with wide-eyed expectations) or with the adults (the married kind with spouses and kids and so much to talk about with their peers.) 
 I've had a lot of encouragement, to be sure. But usually it involves statements like: "When you get married..." or "When you become a mother..." And I really like those conversations where all the moms and wives lament about their busy lives or swap childbirth stories or complain about that husband that doesn't pick up his dirty laundry. And then they'll look at me and say "Be glad you're single!" Or "You're the smart one!" Or my favorite: "Don't ever get married!" Yeah. That's what I want to hear.
 Don't get me wrong. I enjoy sitting in on these discussions. I get a kick out of the woes of married life, knowing that most of these ladies genuinely love their husbands and their children. But the fact remains, I have nothing to contribute to these conversations. 
  I've had good friends marry, and then I stop hearing from them. It's as if a wall is automatically erected because they're now married and I'm not. They've become members of an exclusive club where they can talk about diapers and childish antics and date nights. And of course I'm not a part of that group, so they no longer know how to converse with me. Maybe, in their eyes, I haven't quite "arrived" yet.
 Now, I don't say all this to make you feel sorry for me or because I'm upset or even because I don't want to hear about my friends' married/family lives. Quite the contrary. But I do hope to pass on some food for thought, straight from a single person's perspective.
 Don't forget your single friends. While I don't wish you to avoid talking about the anniversary gift you got your spouse or the latest cute thing that your baby did, please don't let the conversation be monopolized by those topics, leaving one or two individuals out of the discussion altogether.
 I also don't want my friends to tiptoe around the "elephant in the room." (You know, the fact that I'm single.) Don't be afraid to bring it up. I'm happy to share my feelings on it. I would love to tell you how I've grown in this place in my life. And yes, there might be times I need to share how I'm struggling. A listening ear would be great.
 So, what else can you talk about with your single friends? After all, their lives are not as filled with familial events. Well, I can't speak for them all, but for me personally, I would love to talk about my career, or my plans for the future, or things I'm doing with my  house. I enjoy discussions on the Bible and spiritual growth. I like to share my favorite movies, books, and music. I love to discuss relationships of all kinds. I enjoy talking about recent trips and vacations I've taken (even if they are shared with my parents!)
 I have found my sister's statement to be pretty accurate at times. Most people don't really know what to say to singles. But, I hope I've maybe given you a place to start. Remember that, married or single, we are all God's children. And we are all...
                                                                                       In His Grip!
                                                                                       Crystal

   So, my brother recently had an evaluation at his job. (And it was a good one, of course!) But, we could not help but tease him when he told us of his high marks for his good attitude. "They don't really know you, do they?"
   But, afterwards, I couldn't help but think...how true is that of all of us? We all tend to put our best face on at times. My dad use to joke about us putting our Sunday smiles on when we pulled into our church's parking lot. But there was a measure of direction there, too: "Be on your best behavior. We're at church."
   It's easy to act like two different people. (Or three or four...) When we feel comfortable and safe, we may let our guard down a bit. Or if we're trying to impress those around us, we may be as professional and courteous as we can be. There are habits we try to hide and words we refrain from saying. There are certain things we would never do around certain peopl4e, not wanting to disappoint them or turn them off.
   Where do you put your best face on? Many find it easy to be on their best behavior at their job place. That's where they smile a lot, give a helping hand, and go above and beyond. They use their manners and remember to be courteous and thoughtful. Their co-workers rave about how sweet they are, how helpful. They find friendships among their peers and enjoy sharing tidbits about their life. They spend many of their waking hours with their co-workers and know how important it is to be able to work together in harmony. Thus, they don't spend their time complaining or arguing or griping at one another. They genuinely try to be at their best, to do their part in promoting a healthy working atmosphere.
   Others save their best moments for when they're home. They spend so many hours away from their loved ones in a stressful working environment, that they do not wish to bring any of that home. They strive to make those precious times loving their spouses, kids, etc. This is where they feel the most love. They invest in building memories and character. They relax and laugh and live surrounded by their families. The last thing they wish is to tarnish those moments with impatience and selfishness. So they make sure they give only the very best to those they love the most.
   Some find it easy to present their best to their friends, those special individuals that choose to spend time with them out of choice, not necessity. Getting together with others of like tastes and interests can be a highlight of our stressed and busy lives. Who wants to drag those moments down with our negativity? So they make sure to treat one another with love and appreciation. No nitpicking, no complaining. Just lots of fun. They build one another up rather than tear each other down. 
   And of course, we can't forget about those who put on their "Sunday smiles." The church is an easy place to put your best face on. The preacher is watching. The Sunday school teacher is there. All of those other good, Christian people see you there every week. So, you wear your best clothes, sit up straight, watch your mouth and manners. You wouldn't want any of them to see you losing your cool or having a bad attitude. You want them to see you as good, upright person of faith.
   So, where do you find yourself putting your smile on? Who sees your best side on a regular basis? What group gets to see the selfless and thoughtful part of you? Where do you find it easy to be on your best behavior? 
   Or maybe I should ask it this way. Where do you stop caring? At what place do you let your guard down and quit worrying about what people think of you? When do you shrug off what everyone else needs and focus on what you want? (A hot shower, the TV for yourself, quiet time, etc.)
   We all need those places where we feel comfortable enough to let our hair down, so to speak, and not worry about always being on our toes. But let's not forget to share our best qualities with every group in our life. Our families might need us to treat them with the same respect and dignity we do our co-workers. Our friends could use the same love and caring we share with our families. Our co-workers may appreciate a reason to enjoy being together, such as we give our friends. And our church may love to see us give more of ourselves rather than just Sunday mornings, like we do in so many other areas in our lives.
   So, I hope you always put your "Sunday smiles" on, no matter what day of the week it is or where you're at. I hope the people in your life get to experience you at your best. And I hope that you strive to give your very best to everyone in your life, not just a few. How rich would our lives be if we all did so? How enjoyable would our work environments be? How deep our relationships? 
   May God bless you richly!
                                                                             In His Grip!
                                                                             Crystal
   
  

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly."
-Proverbs 18:24

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works."
-Hebrews 10:24

   So, I went to celebrate a friend's birthday last night. Nothing fancy, just a bunch of ladies getting together for finger foods and games. And lots of talk and laughs.
   I think my favorite part of the night was when the conversation turned to the Lord and prayer. Being true to character, I may not have added a lot to the discussion, but I was definitely taking it in. There were a lot of opinions and views, but one thing was clear. These ladies loved the Lord.
   In the midst of discussing what we had learned and taken from the awesome Christian movie, War Room, one of the guests admitted to not feeling good. Before I knew it, we decided on an impromptu prayer meeting. Other requests were given, from those diagnosed with cancer, to young mothers in danger of miscarrying, to a husband with bronchial pneumonia. Another lady suggested prayer for the single ladies of the group, that we would be willing to wait on God's time and His best for us.
   It was a sweet moment, I have to say. A group of ten or so ladies, all in various stages of our walk with God, holding hands in a circle. Some of them I knew well. Others I had met on previous occasions. And a few I had only just met. But we were joined together by one thing: Christ.
   I found myself thanking God that we had the freedom to do so. Not just politically, though I was grateful for that. But in our hearts, we felt free to join together in an outward show of faith and love. It left me encouraged and blessed. 
   It's not every day a birthday party turns into a prayer meeting! But I've heard of other stories where friends and acquaintances gather together and the meeting turns into a time of prayer and meditation. Or chance encounters on store parking lots that bring about a request to pray.
   Have you ever had that happen to you? I'd love to hear about it. May we never lose an opportunity to agree together in prayer, even if it happens in an unlikely place. May we always have the mindset to talk to God, no matter where we're at, who we're with, and what we're doing. And may we ever rest...
                                                                                    In His Grip!
                                                                                    Crystal

 Happy Valentine's Day! I hope all you wonderful couples are able to spend the day with your "special someone." I pray that you will fall a little more in love with each other every day and that God will richly bless your relationship.
 And I want to wish all my special singles out there a Happy Valentine's as well! 
 I know what you're thinking. I can hear it now: "Crazy girl, doesn't she know what Valentine's Day is all about? Doesn't she realize that this season is all about couples and romance and candy and love?"
 And I get it. Valentine's used to be my LEAST favorite holiday of the year. I'd see all those hearts and balloons go up and I would cringe. And every year at school, I'd watch teachers' faces light up when a special bouquet was delivered by their significant others. Even my first graders would shyly offer a card and a gift for their crush in the class next door.
 And me? I got handful of Valentine cards from six and seven year old boys...and girls.
 No, Valentine's and I did not always get along.
 But, recently, I've come to feel differently about it. Oh, sure, I still wish I had someone special to share it with. But that longing doesn't consume my life anymore. I choose to use this day to show my love to the people around me. That's what it's all about right? (And, no, I'm not talking about the origins of the holiday or any pagan influence to its beginning. I'm referring to the reason most of the Americans I know celebrate it today.)
 So I don't have a Valentine. I still have plenty of people in my life that I love just as deeply. My parents, for instance. They've been together for thirty-six years, and though they are certainly not the most romantic pair, they still show love to each other and their children in many ways. I have my brother and sisters. While I may not buy them a Valentine heart full of chocolates, I still look for ways to express my love.
 I could go on. There's my pastors and church family. My grandmother, uncles, and aunts. Cousins galore! Co-workers, students, Facebook friends, acquaintances, even strangers. The list goes on. My life is filled with people, people that God has place in my life for a reason. Maybe so they can reach out to me. Or so that I can reach out to them.
 And then there's one more. My Friend that sticks closer than a brother. The Lover of my soul. The Fairest of ten thousand. (In case you haven't picked up on it yet, I'm talking about Jesus!) I can honestly say that I have fallen in love with my Lord. I love Him more today than I did a year ago. And He continues to show me over and over again just how much He loves me. Every day. For the rest of my life. And He will never fail me or disappoint me or leave me. It doesn't get any better than that!
 So, I choose to live this day with joy and appreciation. It doesn't matter that I won't be going on a special date or getting chocolate covered strawberries. It's enough to know that my Savior loves me. And that's all that really matters. To say that I'm also loved by family and friends is just icing on the cake! (A heart shaped cake...with pink frosting.)
 So, again I say, Happy Valentine's Day! May it be a blessed one. And may each and every one of us remain steadfast and loved...
                                                                          In His grip!
                                                                          Crystal

   So, my internet was down for a while, so I wasn't able to send out New Year's greetings like I wanted to. But, I've got everything straightened out, and better late than never, so here goes...
   My New Year's Wish for you:
I don't wish you a bigger house, nicer car, or expensive vacation, although I do hope you have  shelter from the weather, a mode of transportation, and opportunities to get out beyond your four walls.
I don't wish for financial prosperity, although I do pray that your everyday basic needs are met.
I don't wish for you to get that big promotion, but I do hope you have a job that is fulfilling and rewarding.
I don't wish for popularity, although I do hope that you have a circle of friends-or even one-whom you can depend on and confide in.
I don't wish for this year to necessarily be free of troubles, though I do pray for strength for you to go through it.
And, finally, I don't necessarily wish for the single heart to find your soul mate, although I do hope that if God's plan, it will happen in His time.
   But what I do wish for you is this:
I wish for you to know the love of a Father who sacrificed His own Son for You.
I wish for you to know the grace of a Savior who took your sins and paid for them with His blood.
I wish for you to know the peace that passes all understanding.
I wish for you to know the contentment of a relationship with the Lover of our Souls.
I wish for you to know the freedom of surrendering your life, hopes, dreams, plans, future into His hands.
I wish for you to know the joy of living in His will.
I wish for you to know the excitement of looking forward to a future with the Lord before you.
I wish for you to know the satisfaction of being able to share your testimony with others that may need to hear it.
I wish for you to know the fulfillment of reaching out and helping others.
I wish for you to know the assurance of a place reserved for you.
I wish for you to know the security of being under His wind.
I wish for you to know the strength of His hand in trials and hardships.
I wish for you to know the beauty of His creation, evident everywhere you look.
I wish for you to know the gift of music and song to uplift and comfort the spirit.
I wish for you to know the truth that He is, and will always be, enough.
I wish for you to know all this and more in 2016.
And I wish for you to know that you are always and forever...
                                                                                                In His Grip!
                                                                                                Crystal

   Get it? You see what I did right there? You know, like Christmas Past, Present, and Future? Okay, okay, cheesy, I know. But that's what's been filling my mind these last couple days. I feel like Ebenezer Scrooge at the end of the Christmas Carol, promising to keep the spirit of Christmas Past, Present, and Future in his heart.
   I hope everyone had a joyous, restful, and blessed Christmas season. I love to think back to my holidays, especially those special moments, like sitting with my whole family to exchange gifts. None of us spent a lot of money on each other, but we made sure we found gifts that would mean something. Nothing makes me happier than being able to give to my parents or my siblings.
   This year, I was also fortunate enough to get to attend a concert of one of my favorite gospel groups, Triumphant Quartet. (I know, I know...I have a lot of favorites.) The whole second half was dedicated to Christmas songs. What a sweet way to kick off the season!
   I think one of my favorite memories for this year will be the women's Christmas banquet. Getting to spend the evening with all those wonderful ladies was very special.
   I was also able, with my mother, sisters, and a couple friends, to volunteer as a Salvation Army bell-ringer for a couple hours one Saturday. It was cold, rainy, and windy, but I felt a sense of great satisfaction being able to give, even just a little, to the community.
   My family always enjoys picking children's wish lists of the Christmas tree at Walmart for "Christmas for Kids." It's just as much fun shopping for those little strangers, even knowing I'll never get to see their reactions, as it is buying for my family and friends.
   Yes, thinking back to my Christmas, I can say it was a good one. And it always makes me feel a little sad when it's over. I guess that's one reason I am always in such a hurry to take it down. A Christmas tree just looks forlorn and abandoned when Christmas is done. But, even though it's all over, I still have those memories. And I am still able to carry the meaning of Christmas with me throughout the year.
   We celebrate Jesus' birth at Christmastime. We sing songs about that holy night. We put out nativity scenes and put on Christmas programs. We read the Bible story and remember what its all about. But the really cool part, it doesn't end at midnight on December 25th. Rather, that story goes on. Jesus was born, yes, but He stayed here. He dwelled among the people. He healed the sick, revived the dead, and calmed the storms. He performed miracles and proved Himself to be divine. Then, He was arrested, tortured, and tried. And finally, He was executed, crucified like a common thief.
   But the story still doesn't end there! He rose again, ministered to His disciples, and ascended to Heaven. And now, thousands of years later, He still lives and dwells among the people. He saves us, restores us, heals us, comforts us, and loves us. His presence is still felt, when the last Christmas wreath is packed away and the last scrap of wrapping paper discarded. Jesus is still here. He didn't leave when His birthday ended. He's ready to finish out the year and go into the next one with us.
  Which brings me to thinking about the future. 2016. What does it hold? What lessons, trials, and hardships will we face? What victories, testimonies, and joys will we see? 
   I always start thinking ahead, about what I hope to accomplish. I dream big and make lots of wishes. I write lists out of things I want to do, books I want to read, places I want to go, and people I want to see. But I am also very aware that the year will not be without its tears, too. And I pray that I will be ready for them when they come, that I won't despair or lose faith, no matter what the future holds. Because I know, regardless of what comes, my Lord will be with me. Because He always is, no matter what time of year it is.
   I hope everyone will take the opportunity to be like Ebenezer Scrooge. (No, not like he was at the beginning of the movie!) I hope we will all be able to look back at what we can learn from Christmases past. Or even beyond Christmastime. And I hope that we will feel His presence in our present. And, finally, I pray that our future will be blessed with peace, strength, and love. And that we will always know the security of being...
                                                                                             In His Grip!
                                                                                             Crystal
P.S. Feel free to comment below and share your favorite Christmas memories or hopes for 2016!
   
 

   This time of year, I usually hear it all:
   "I can't wait for Christmas to be over."
   "I don't really celebrate Christmas."
   "I just don't have the Christmas spirit." Or even...
   "I hate Christmas."
   I can't help but pity those poor souls that feel that way. They've really missed the whole point.
   Now, I worked in retail for four years, and I am fully aware of the craziness that this time of year brings. It's easy to lose your joy when dealing with crabby customers that care only about finding that one frivolous item on their list. And it's not uncommon for those workers that are dealing with the public, the clutter, the rush, etc. to get frustrated and be ready for the whole thing to be done.
   Believe me, I know how hard it can be to sing "Joy to the World" in those situations.
   And I also know that the commercialism that has swept over this country and this holiday can be disheartening. I hear the stories: parents spending hundreds of dollars on gifts that their kids don't really need; kids demanding certain items on their Christmas list, despite the "toys" already crowding their bedrooms; businesses pushing their products so that the CEOs can get a nice, big, fat bonus. It makes you want to crawl in a hole sometimes and just wait for the season to go by, rather than participate in any of it.
   But, I decided some time back that I was not going to let shallow people taint my holiday. How could I when I consider what this holiday is really all about?
   Thousands of years ago, this world fell. Sin entered and man embraced it. The perfect plan that God had laid out was discarded and He was rejected. Hate, disease, pain, and heartache came as a result. People were dying in their sins. The sacrificial lambs that they presented just were not enough. Their sins required death--their death. Sin soils the soul and makes it unfit for Heaven. To recompense for that sin, they deserved death.
   And that's when Jesus comes in. You see, He came to this world as that sacrificial Lamb, so that we wouldn't have to die for the sins that we committed. He took on our guilt Himself.
   So that baby that we always sing about at Christmastime? Think about it. That baby had been prophesied for thousands of years. People were beginning to doubt it would happen. "They've been saying that for years!" But a few hung on to hope. A few believed that God would keep His promise. That He would send His perfect Son to stand in our place so that we would have hope of overcoming sin.
   And He did. That precious baby was born, carried by a virgin mother so no one could mistake His origin. He came humbly to this world, slept in a hay trough, surrounded by farm animals. His earthly parents had very little to offer Him. After all this waiting and anticipation, it seemed that very few were even aware of or cared about his arrival.
   Except for a few worn, dirty shepherds in the hills. And a few wealthy, wise men from a far land. And a host of Heavenly beings singing His praises. And a heavenly Father who watched as His plan of salvation began to unfold.
   This baby, that precious, perfect infant, had one purpose in this world. To die. For us. Picture the babies in your life right now. Picture their sweet faces, their tiny fists, their wide open eyes. Picture their parents with such joy and anticipation for their future.
   Now picture Jesus entering the world like that. But His future was already laid out. He was born, literally, just so He could die 33 years later. And it was all for us, so that we could be cleansed and restored.
   When I put it into perspective like that, it doesn't matter what the world is doing around me. It makes me sad, for their sakes, that they've missed the real meaning of Christmas. It bothers me that they've missed out on celebrating Christmas to its fullness. Oh, they may get the gifts they were scrambling for. And they may enjoy time spent with their family. But, are they really able to embrace the full meaning and depth of this holiday?
   For me, this whole season is a celebration of my Savior, a chance to reflect on all He has given me. It's a chance for me to bask in the love and favor of my Lord who was willing to come to this earth just so He could take my sins and shame, and die in my place.
   So, this time of year continues to be a blessing to me. I enjoy all aspects of it. The family memories. The reading of His birth in the Bible. The church programs. The baking. And yes, even the shopping and gift exchange. I love it all. It doesn't ruin my Christmas if it gets a little busy, or if I come across a crabby shopper. Or if I can't find that one gift I was hoping to give. Or if my class suddenly forgets all the school rules and start acting like a den of monkeys. Because, in the end, that's not what matters.
   What matters is that my Savior loved me enough to come to this world and save me. And for that, I will always love Christmas.
   God bless you this Christmas! I hope you are able to fully embrace the meaning of the season. I pray that you will always be safe, warm, and happy...
                                                                                                             In His Grip!
                                                                                                             Crystal

 So, this week I had the opportunity to attend a women's Christmas banquet hosted by the First Baptist Church in Potosi. I don't usually attend functions like that, when I know there will be large crowds of people I don't know. I guess it's just the shy girl in me. But, I was going with several good friends and I thought I'd give it a shot.
 And what a wonderful evening it turned out to be! The women of FBC went all out. From the beautifully decorated tables to the thoughtful gifts to the delicious catering, they made every effort to ensure every woman felt special and appreciated. And it worked. Or at least, it did for me.
 One of the highlights of the evening was their key speaker, Jaclyn Rowe. Now, I don't know if she is aware of it, but I've known of Jaclyn for most of my life. Her sister, Jessica, and I were in the same third grade class, and then had REACH together in 4th grade. Their mother also happened to be my 4th grade teacher, and I remember Jaclyn coming by her mother's classroom every now and then. So, while I've never known Jaclyn on a personal level, I was always aware of who she was. In fact, I remember thinking she was adorable.
 Fast forward fifteen, and Jaclyn's grown into a notable speaker in our area. I've had the chance to sit under her in an elementary school assembly, but this was the first time I was able to hear her in a church setting. And it was well worth the time. Here was the beautiful, vibrant young woman speaking with passion and caring--and a dash of humor--about two of my favorite topics: Jesus and Christmas.
 My favorite part of her presentation was when she spoke about people looking for anchors. I know from experience how true this can be. So many people look for something they can grab onto: their mate, their children, a career, etc. But, those anchors can shift. They change, and as Jaclyn brought out, they can betray us.
 But Jesus doesn't change. He doesn't move or falter, even in the worst of storms. He stands at the ready, waiting for us to tire of groping in the darkness on our own. He will speak life and light into our spirits, and it's only then that we will truly experience the true joy of Christmas or the fullness that He has for our everyday lives.
 So, to Jaclyn and the ladies of First Baptist Church, thank you. Thank you for reminding us of the true reason we celebrate Christmas. Thank you for the time and effort you put into this evening. Thank you for blessing the local women of this area with your kindness and generosity. I pray you will be blessed in the same way this holiday season. And may you find peace and security...
                                                                                 In His Grip!
                                                                                 Crystal
 

    So, I lost my cell phone over Thanksgiving weekend. (I know, tragic, right?) I remembered having it Thursday morning, because I read a text from a friend wishing me Happy Thanksgiving. Then  I set it on my mom's china cabinet, and that was the last I saw of it for days.
   I nearly tore my house and theirs apart, looking for that tiny little device. It was missing all of Friday and Saturday, and as my weekend drew to a close, I was beginning to get more and more nervous. Had it been thrown away in all the after-dinner cleaning? Did it get packed away with the unused Christmas decorations? 
   My whole family pitched in to help find the missing phone. My brother tried calling it, but I knew the battery was already dead. My mom and sisters searched the couches, chairs, floors, trash, etc. No phone. I checked the pockets of my clothes. No phone.
   In desperation, I prayed Saturday night (and not for the first time, either!) "Please, Lord, help me find that phone before Monday!" While I don't consider my phone a lifeline, I do use it for its intended purpose: calling, texting, and an occasional Facebook peek. I also use it for a backup alarm, since my clock does not have a snooze, and I do tend to doze off in the mornings.
   Sunday morning comes. On the way to church, my dad calmly slipped me my phone. Its location all that time? In the pocket of one of his old work coats. I have no recollection of putting the coat on, or of putting the phone in the pocket, but that's where it was. I don't know if it was just a memory lapse on my part, or a Christmas miracle on God's, but needless to say, I was relieved and Dad was my hero.
   However, I learned a couple lessons through all this. One, God does hear our prayers. This wasn't the first time I asked His help in finding something that I really needed to find. And in some way or another, He always led me to what I needed. And that's besides the many other random and serious prayers He's answered along the way.
  And second, I realized how dependent we've become on a simple little gadget. It's become our source of communication, information, direction, connection, and sometimes even our wakeup call. Without it in our pockets or purses, we feel lost and disconnected. And sometimes we grow concerned with its absence. Its services are available to us morning, noon, and night, 365 days a year, and we take full advantage of all its benefits. In short, we would not be able to function as well without it.
   I said all that to say this...what if we came to God with the same appreciation and dependence as we did our cell phones, tablets, etc? What would our spiritual walk be like? What kind of relationship could we claim with Him then?
   Just some food for thought. In the meantime, my phone is not safely back in my possession, but even more importantly, I am still safe...
                                                                                            In His Grip!
                                                                                            Crystal

   It's the morning after Thanksgiving, and I'm laying here in bed, shamelessly enjoying this rare opportunity to be lazy. (But to be fair, I have already been up once and started a load of laundry!) My mind is already moving forward to all the things I want to accomplish today: decorate the tree, set out the rest of my Christmas decorations, enjoy some turkey leftovers, etc., etc.
  I find myself also reflecting back to yesterday. I think I'd have to say that Thanksgiving 2015 will go down as a good one. My family was all together, safe and healthy. And despite a few minor mishaps (including a scorched hot pad, a broken measuring cup, and spilled milk!) we made it through with a lot of laughs, a few new memories, and plenty of good food! Whether it was my sister walking around with big Christmas ornaments hanging from her ears, or my dad and brother's resignation at watching The Walton's Homecoming movie again, or all of us sitting around the table sharing what we're thankful for, I will cherish every moment of it.
   I realize, though, that not everyone was so fortunate. My mind goes to friends that I know personally that have loved ones on hospice, knowing that they will not be spending many more days with them. I can't help but think of Joey Feek of the beloved country duo Joey and Rory, how she is bravely and gracefully facing her last holiday season with her family. 
   I also think of others that are missing someone from their table already, such as the many families with military sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, etc. Others are spending their season in a hospital room, praying for a sick or wounded family member.
  I think of two of my favorite gospel singers, Scott Fowler and Jim Brady. Scott lost his mother earlier this year, and Jim recently lost both his father and sister just weeks apart. While both have made it clear that they still have much to be thankful for this season, I know in their hearts they are still grieving. (Though not as one without hope!)
   And I remember the dozens of families in Mali and Paris who have experienced unspeakable tragedies recently. So many other families all over the world struggle just to survive and stay alive.
   I may not have much to brag about. My home is simple. My family is not rich or cultured. But I have absolutely nothing to complain about. So, my Christmas tree is a little shorter than I like. I am now sans a hot pad AND a cup holder. I have a mess to clean up from all the preparations yesterday. But, considering what so many others have had to endure this year, I wouldn't trade any of it.
   God bless you and yours!
                                                                                          In His Grip!
                                                                                          Crystal