Peace on Earth December Challenge

thanks·giv·ing: –noun
1. the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, esp. to god.
2. an expression of thanks, esp. to God.
3. a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness.
4. a day set apart for giving thanks to God.

Every year we set a part a day to give thanks. We gather with family and friends and readily share what it is we are thankful for. This day, like all others, only last 24 hours. Sure you may spend several days gathering for the occasion, but it still only a very short time of your week, month, year, and life time.

Our Father tells us in 1 Thessalonians to give thanks in all circumstances.

I wonder how many of spend that one day in November giving thanks, but then turn around and spend what is commonly referred to as Black Friday griping about the crowds, long lines, and slow traffic.

As Christians, giving thanks should not be something we reserve for one day of the year. It should be something that we do daily, hourly, even minute by minute.

I don't know about you, but it seems like as soon as Thanksgiving is over my calendar can be overwhelming. Between work and preparing for Christmas, I'm swamped. It is very easy for me to get stressed out. I struggle to stop and thank God for all the things he allows me to do. Even more, I forget to stop and ask God what it is that He wants me to do. What things should not be on my calendar?

I say all this because my two do list is already overwhelming. It's way past my bed time tonight and my to do list for tonight alone is no where near finished. At some point I have to make myself stop and let the rest wait until tomorrow.

Courtney, over at Women Living Well, understands what a busy schedule can do to us women. It affects us emotionally and spiritually. She has a challenge for the upcoming weeks to help us remember to just stop and enjoy this time of year. She challenges us to stop and spend time with our Savior giving him thanks and asking for him to continually be a part of our every day lives.

Because she realizes that this has an affect not only on us, but everyone around us, she is calling this particular challenge the Peace on Earth December Challenge. Due to his work schedule, my time with the husband this month is going to be VERY limited. I want to make sure that I'm a wife who encourages him and lifts him and not one that is a thorn in his side. I do not want ot be like annoying constant dripping on a rainy day (Proverbs 27:15).

Go over and check out Courtney's challenge. She has a video telling you more about it.