Last week I finished our stake pilot program of the Back to Basics program (Faithful, Fit & Fabulous). What an amazing experience! The final evening was a combination of laughter, tears, and celebration. The connection we all felt from three months of sharing, growing, and learning together is difficult to describe. But feel it we did.
As I left that lovely group and headed home, the joy within me literally bubbled over. We had each felt more fulfilled monthly through practicing key life principles in simple, but happy ways. Honestly, I wanted to bottle the feeling and open it when times feel hard, which sometimes includes the holidays.
I know that right now, for some, the holidays are more of surviving than thriving. And that’s okay. This season is a gift for each of us, to lay our burdens at his feet, giving them to Him, and feeling grateful for His love and gentleness.
If you’re wanting to feel the joy but just can’t reach it, try putting one of your troubles in an imaginary or real box—a very pretty, decorated box—and lay it at His feet. Prayerfully give it over to Him to take care of for you, trusting He will let you know what you should further do with it, if needed. Then step back, turn around, and walk away.
Then, focus your energy daily on one way to draw closer to Christ, whether it’s reading a daily devotional thought, listening to Christ-centered carols or hymns, learning new facets of His personality or ministry, or serving someone spontaneously. Actively seek Him during the day and I promise you will truly feel, to your soul, the joy and spirit of the season.
And when you do, share your experience with us. I’m opening up my blog to you lovely women to share your thoughts, ideas, insights, and experiences of how to stay close to Him this Christmas (**more info below).
Together, we can keep ourselves centered and reminded of what matters most, and soak in the full and joyful feelings of the season.
Best,
Connie
**Share one way you stay connected to Christ during the holidays by emailing me@conniesokol.com and be entered to win your own print and ebook of 40 Days with the Savior (A Daily Devotional Book on Character Traits of Christ).
**If you missed my KSL segment, you can still view it today!
