Cozy in Heart and Mind

Does decorating for the holiday season stress you out? 

We've decorated our small space for Christmas and my heart is so warm. There's something really sweet in creating a space that's beautiful and warm. I would say that my word for this holiday season has been "cozy"; both heart and body. 

For real, if we made a penny for every time I said the word cozy I would be pretty rich! 

It's definitely a heart posture and not a tangible thing you can acquire. You could have the most plush blanket made out of the finest wool and absolutely perfect color palette, but if your heart isn't in a place to be at peace, then it's really just another blanket, another item of clutter in your life. 

Now, there are definitely items in my house that enhance this feeling. I love my Christmas lights, my fiesta pillow, and my diffuser running; they're *chef kiss*!

What I'm going for in this post is the peaceful feeling we can achieve when we let go of the need to keep up with the Jones (younger generation reading this: that means "on trend"). Releasing that need to get something new and seasonal when what you have is perfect. Adapting what you own and cherish, allowing it to flourish for each season. It's a way of living on a budget, but not just tangibly. 

This time of year can take so much out of us financially, emotionally, and spiritually. For such a beautiful and magical time of the year, it can become intensely stressful so quick. I'm here to tell you it doesn't need to be that way. Especially if seasonal depression is starting to make a debut performance. 

Consider me your conscience at this moment; you don't need to buy that new Christmas decor.

Or every cousin a gift.

Or that "Amazon Must-Have" item.  

If you're trying to feed that "if I had this, everything will just look better" feeling, most assuredly, it will not fill that void. There's a need that only the Lord can fill. We can't fill that need of belonging through materialistic items or monetary gifts. You're more than welcome to try but it's a long road of disappointment and strife.

Lean into the Lord this season and accept His gift, the gift of salvation. 

Romans 10:9-13

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Luke 24:45-49

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Romans 5:8

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

This season I challenge you to lean into this gift. The true gift. The coziest gift ever. There's no need to add materialistic items to your life or strive to fill that hole this holiday season. 

Lean into the Lord. Ask for His presence to be known. One of my dear friends describes the gospel as a warm hug and that is so cozy. 

You are loved and the Lord longs to give you the coziest hug ever. 

Love y'all.