Give a Little Grace

Most of us try to manage through life the best we can but no matter how hard we try, sometimes we just don't get it right.

When I shop I write my check or have my card in hand ready to swipe before my turn at the register. However, one day I stood and watched the young man scan and bag my huge cart of groceries before I ever opened my purse. Startled when he asked for money, I apologized to him and the next person in line for not being prepared. I was grateful when the women behind me said, "That's okay, I'm not in any hurry."

"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live."
-- Jackie Windspear

Warm and Cozy Holiday Drawing
DRAWING CLOSED
(an $85.00 value)

Slip on your cozy kitty socks, and warm up with a steamy mug of tea while you listen to inspiring music.

How to Enter
Tell what you do to keep stress under wraps during this busy season. I'll post some of the entries in the 2012 Holiday update.

Box contains: CSFTS "Devotional Stories for Tough Times", Numi organic Holiday Herbal Chai, plush Kitty Socks, Truffles from Seattle Chocolates, Jackie Evancho CD "Dream with Me", 8 blank cards by artist Robert Duncan, and the book "One Simple Act, Discovering the Power of Generosity" by Debbie Macomber.

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with Thanksgiving! - Psalm 69:30

Tis the Season of Thanks & Giving

Surrounded by family and friends we acknowledge God's gifts to us every Thanksgiving. And over the years, I've learned that living with a thankful attitude opens and frees my heart, and enables me to live a generous life. Recently, I read One Generous Act, Discovering the Power of Generosity by Debbie Macomber. She offers practical ways to give and encourage others, which is why I included her book in the latest drawing. I was also inspired with a few ideas of my own.

Write one thank you each month for the next twelve months. People to thank: a child's teacher, a boss, a family member, a retail person that went above and beyond to help you with a purchase, a neighbor, a babysitter, a doctor, a pastor...

Four gifts you can give everyone during this busy Christmas season: a little patience, a kind word, a prayer, and a smile!

Frosty Cranberry Salad

Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Add enough water to reserved juice to make 2 cups of liquid. Pour into a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Add Jell-O. Chill until partially set.

Beat softened cream cheese in a medium bowl. Mix in mayonnaise until fluffy. Gradually beat in partially set Jell-O. Add in 1 cup whipped cream. Set aside 1½ cups of this mixture. Add fruit and walnuts to remaining Jell-O & cream mixture. Pour into a 9"x13" glass dish and refrigerate until surface sets, about 30 minutes.

Frost with reserved 1½ cups pink Jell-o cream. Refrigerate several hours.

Though I don't know the origin of this recipe our family has made this delicious salad every Thanksgiving and Christmas for more than forty years.

More Time Savers from Women on the Go

Sharon - Sometimes I fear passing myself as I run around trying to do everything. I am far from perfect but have decided to adopt the NIKE mantra "Just do it." It has boosted my confidence and I feel so much better once I've accomplished my goal. Some days I'm exhausted but my soul feels better.

Jane - We have my little one's things and mine all ready to go before bed for the next day.

Tina - For years, I thought the goal of time management was solely to make it possible to do more and more within a 24-hour period. And for years, those are the kinds of strategies I attempted to develop - some quite successfully, others not so much. However, after 58 years of living, I now apply my personal values and desires to my "to do" list and prayerfully prioritize what is truly important. And dare I say it, I even eliminate some things I previously believed needed doing. By eliminating the unimportant and the unnecessary, I have more time for those things that are important and necessary. I know I have chosen wisely, when eliminating something results in no unwanted or unanticipated consequences. For example, since we cannot afford a housekeeper, we relaxed our standards of clean - i.e. no longer do we change the bed linens weekly, and dust bunnies are addressed less frequently, too. I do not wish to over simplify this, but for me "doing" is what I believed would earn me love, acceptance, approval, and praise. What I have learned is that all those things come freely from God and nothing I do influences whether I get them or not...other than, of course, accepting God's grace into my life through my crucified and risen Lord, Jesus. Thanks for letting me share!

Bonnie - Time management tips are essential now that I go to my daughter's home almost daily to help her during a difficult pregnancy. I try to do something in each area every day; a little cleaning, a little bookwork, a little writing. You get the picture! I also subscribe to Flylady.net. It's a free site and shows how lots can be accomplished in 15 minutes!

Lucylu - I keep the children's book bags in tubs near the door. That way their bags are ready to go every morning. We also can toss miscellaneous items such as sweatshirt, sports clothing, extra snacks, in the tub for the next day! Easy, and the tubs protect my walls!

Judy - Make out a menu for one or two weeks, write your grocery list and shop for that period of time. You will make fewer trips to the store, and if you use coupons will save on your groceries.

Niki - I believe in the "golden hour." In the New Testament the time segment of one hour is mentioned, like the time when Jesus said to his disciples in the garden, "Will you not watch (pray) with me for one hour?" One year I realized how much could be accomplished if we devoted one hour only, each day, to some task that loomed. In fact, today I begin my office organization and I'll tackle it this week, ONE hour a day. By month's end, I hope to have spent MANY hours at this goal of reorganizing my workspace. No full hours available? Try 15 min. a day. When I was a beginner writer working outside the home fulltime, I still wrote to publish by whittling away 15 min. in the evenings. Author of Whiskers, Wit, and Wisdom: True Cat Tales and the Lessons They Teach. Read more about Niki and her cats at www.nikianderson.net .