Do you like to play hide and seek? Maybe you always try to find the best place so no one could find you. The challenge to be the last one found was one I loved. I would work hard to find the perfect spot. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. But you can bet I always tried. Psalm 119:11 which is our key verse for today reads “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” As I read this, I am reminded of my hide and seek days as a kid. This verse challenges me. Do I see it as a challenge to hide God’s word in my heart? How do I think creatively and do all that I can to hide God’s word in my heart? When I hide God’s word in my heart, I win every single time. In what ways do I win in life? The three ways that I win when I hide God’s word in my heart are conviction, comfort and challenge.

After lunch the other day, I decided it was time to take my seven helium star balloons down off my chair. They were starting to look droopy. I started by cutting off the ribbon attached to the chair. Next, I cut the bottom of each balloon fully expecting the balloons to drop to the ground but that was not the case. There was enough helium left in them to get to the ceiling. As I tried to catch each one and flatten it out, I missed two of them.

What are your goals for today? How about this week or maybe even this year? There are so many things I want to accomplish in life. As I thought about my long list this morning, I had to check myself. Too often I get so wrapped up in what I want to do that I forget the ultimate goal in life. I need to keep my eyes on THE goal. I need to be in the position to reach out for Jesus every day, throughout the day. How do we do this? It’s really all about our focus.

What a mess! There are about 7-8 loads of laundry that need to be folded. The very full baskets are behind a door but they still mock me and tell me I am a failure. The kitchen sink is full of dishes and we are about to make more of a mess with our breakfast. The house is overall messy and I have not kept up with things like I have wanted to. Our traditions have not been the same this year. I am sad and disappointed because things have not gone the way I’ve wanted.

“My cookie is broken” pouted Caleb, our 3-year-old son. He held up his gingerbread cookie and showed my husband and I. We were at our older daughter’s school for a Christmas luncheon. The dessert was iced gingerbread man cookies. The leg of Caleb’s cookie was broken and he was very sad. I offered to switch my whole cookie with his. Caleb instantly lit up and happily traded with me. All was right in his world.

When is the last time you really, really wanted something? I mean REALLY wanted something. You spent time dreaming about where it would go in your home or how great you would look in that new outfit. Or maybe you spent time imagining what it would be like to finally have someone in your life. Whatever it may be, we have all really wanted something in our life. Here’s a story from Mathew 20:29-31 about two men who really wanted something

My friends and I met for an early morning breakfast the other day. We normally walk on Friday mornings but because of the colder temperatures, we haven’t been walking. So, we decided to do another kind of get together. It was a fun treat in the middle of our busy week. We enjoyed catching up and just being together. I loved that we could encourage one another in whatever we had going on that week. That is one of my favorite things about these dear friends.

My husband and I were out for dinner the other night. We were kid-free and so thankful for the quiet. No one was hanging on us, we didn’t have to cut anyone’s food, and we could eat without interruption. It was glorious! After we settled into our meal, I heard some whining from a kid nearby. When it’s not your own it is easier to block out. But the kid was especially loud and obnoxious. I thought to myself “What is that kid’s problem? Why aren’t those parents doing something? Can’t they control their kid?” I could feel my irritation rising as I sat there.