So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. ~Luke 2:4-7
2021 has been a challenging year for us. From Danny's pacemaker issues and subsequent heart ablation to Mom's illness in the spring and summer that eventually leads to her passing, we have been through the proverbial wringer.
As Christmas is right around the corner, with the New Year close on its heels, I've decided to take some time away from blogging to reflect upon all that's transpired, to open my heart and mind to the wonder of our Savior's birth, and to prayerfully contemplate my hopes and dreams for 2022. Maybe, this season of rest and regrouping will also reveal to my my word for the year to come.
Thank you all who have loyally followed Meditations of My Heart throughout the year. Each of you is dear to me, and your thoughtful comments always make my heart sing.
May you have a Merry and Blessed Christmas, and a safe, prosperous New Year filled with love, joy and peace!
Amen!
I am praying for you and your family, Martha.
ReplyDeleteTake time, pause and reflect. The Lord is speaking to you.
God bless.
Yes, Victor, I do need to take time and allow myself to hear what God is saying. Prayers for you and yours, too, my friend!
DeleteLove and blessings!
May you and Danny know the peace that Jesus promised. Merry Christmas Martha. You are a special lady.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Bill. I pray you know the peace of the Lord this Christmas, too. Merry Christmas to you, Jo and the family!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Merry Christmas, Martha!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a hard year for a lot of us. We lost a close friend to COVID, my older sister passed, my older brother is struggling with health issues, the world seems to have lost its collective mind (or maybe just the United States). But God is good, and God is faithful. He never said this would be easy, only that he was there, and he died and rose again for al of it.
Merry Christmas, Glynn!
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear of the struggles and heartache you and Janet have gone through this year. God is with us, that we can be assured of, even in the worst of times. And yes, I think this country has lost its way in so many respects, but I'm praying for repentance and revival to come soon.
Love and blessings!
Merry CHRISTmas Ms. Martha Jane. Many of us has had a challenging 2021, but I pray our faith in God has been strengthened through it all. Health issues, social chaos, political divisiveness, financial strains with unchecked inflation; it all combines to overtake and overwhelm us. Through it all though, in my life and I think yours and Mr. Danny's, our reliance upon God has kept us upright and moving forward. Admittedly, sometimes I could only "mark time" (move while remaining in the same spot), but I kept my faith moving as I awaited God's direction. Praying 2022 brings us great peace, comfort, and joy dear friends. God's blessings.
ReplyDeleteYou have described the chaos of this past year to a "T," J. D. And your prayers for 2022 are the same as mine. Reliance upon and trust in God and His promises does keep our faith strong, even when everyone around us is losing their heads.
DeleteMerry CHRISTmas to you, too!
Love and blessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteIt is like in the Messiah's song: He Shall Feed His Flock
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/375980268901410610/
We sang the Messiah with all of our heart... and the orchestra did the best they could!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours!
Mariette
Amen, Mariette! May you have a Christmas full of joy and a New Year filled with peace.
DeleteLove and blessings!
💞
Delete:)
DeleteMay you enjoy a blessed Christmas time and a happy and healthy New Year. Hope you keep on blogging.
ReplyDeleteOh, don't worry, Marja, I will be back blogging full strength in the New Year. :) May your Christmas be blessed, too!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Wishing you and your family a beautiful Christmas and New Year! Enjoy your time of reflection, Martha. I believe we are all hoping for peace in the new year! God bless! xo
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm wishing the same for you and yours, Terri! Yes, may peace come in the New Year.
DeleteLove and blessings!
While I'm going to miss you, Martha, I think this 'pause for cause' is wise. May you come back to us next year feeling refreshed and restored. I look forward to seeing what word you've chosen!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to finding that word, too, Myra. So far, nada! I may not be blogging until the New Year, but I'll definitely be making the rounds to other folks' blogs to stay up to date. Enjoy your Christmas!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I do hope you won't stay away too long, but I understand the need to do so. Sometimes we just need time to "Be still and know that I AM God..." (Psalm 46:10) and hear what He is saying to our hearts. I know I've not been quite as contemplative of that lately and it shows in my writing. I need to focus more on God's voice than on all the voices around me. Praying for you as you take this time away. And may you have a blessed and meaningful Christmas and New Year. Looking forward to what you will be thinking when you come back...I know God will be speaking through you to us. Until then, take care of yourself and REST. That may be what your mind and heart and body needs most. I totally understand that. (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteI won't be away too long, Pam, and as I mentioned to Myra, I will be making the rounds of my friends' blogs during this time of rest. Yes, I'm feeling a huge urge to simply be still and listen for God's voice, nudging me in the direction He wants me to take in the New Year. Reflection time is healing time.
DeleteEnjoy your Christmas!
Love and blessings!
Martha, I think what you are doing is vital. We all need to do this from time to time. I'm sorry for your difficult year. May the new one usher in a time of true peace in your life's circumstances. God bless you and Merry Christmas to you, Danny, and your family.
ReplyDeleteYes, Diane, we all need that time to regroup and rethink where we are and where we're headed on this journey with the Lord. I know I'm not the only one who's had a difficult 2021, and I pray, with you, that the New Year will be better for all of us. Merry Christmas to you!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I love your beautiful nativity set! I pray that the Lord comforts, strengthens and encourages your heart during this season of remembering and celebrating His birth! 2021 has certainly been a challenging year for you, and I am praying that the next year will be a better one! Wishing you a Merry Christmas, and God's Best for the New Year!
ReplyDeleteI love our nativity set, too, Marilyn. It is hand-painted, and was made in Guatemala if memory serves me correctly. Thank you so much for your prayers, my friend. I just need to slow down and take this time to be with the Lord as much as I can. Hope your Christmas is merry and bright for you and yours!
DeleteLove and blessings!
You are dear to me too. Have a lovely Christmas and may 2022 be filled with healthy, happy blessings!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jean! I pray your Christmas and New Year will be blessed, too.
DeleteLove and blessings!
May a holy, post-Christmas hush fall upon your home as you slow down to enjoy time with your Heavenly Father. And may you begin January 2022 refreshed and strengthened. Meanwhile, a joyous Christmas to you, Martha!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nancy, for your prayer for me - I am so humbled! May your Christmas be merry, bright and full of God's peace.
DeleteLove and blessings!
You have definitely been through a lot this year, my friend. Praying you have a quiet and peaceful Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your prayers, Lisa. May your Christmas be perfect in every way!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have peaceful days in good health.
Merry Christmas!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Merry Christmas to you, too!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Bom dia Martha. Neste Natal não quero pedir muito. Quero apenas que você que está lendo essa mensagem tenha muita paz, saúde, amor e felicidade. Grande abraço do seu amigo, brasileiro e carioca Luiz Gomes.
ReplyDeleteThose are the right gifts to ask for, Luiz. Big hugs right back at you!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Hey sweet Martha, I hope your Christmas with family was wonderful. May your new year be blessed and directed by the Almighty in whom we place our utilmate trust.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I wish the same for you, Karen! May the Lord guide us in the New Year in all our endeavors.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Boa tarde. Obrigado pela visita e carinho. Desejo um ano de 2022 com muita paz e saúde.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's what I wish for you, too, Luiz!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
I hope your Christmas was a truly lovely one!
ReplyDeleteBlessings~
It was, Joyful, and I hope yours was, too.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Happy New Year for you!
ReplyDeleteSince I'm just home from the hospital after two weeks, my new year is only getting started. Thanking my Lord and Savior for a full recovery!
DeleteLove and blessings!
The blessings of our Lord are upon you as you process all that's gone on in the past year. He is our strength and our eternal hope. I know you know that. Rest and come back to blogging when you feel led.
ReplyDeleteGod has led me into a time of rest I could never have dreamed of or imagined as He has graciously worked to heal me in ways the doctors could not. I am blessed and most favored, Barbara. I do hope to be recounting some of my struggles in future blogs.
DeleteLove and blessings!