Music Monday: “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” by Celine Dion
by: Debbie Waltz
Welcome Back, Readers ~
First off, let me wish everyone a Happy New Year. Even as I write this, I am amazed at how fast the year has flown by. 2022 had brought its share of ups and downs, beginning with me getting sick with Covid and then attending a wedding and celebrating with friends I hadn’t seen in about 15 years. During the year, my website underwent a basic makeover with the help of a faithful friend from my 540 writing group. Jyll Stuart. Thanks for helping me begin the extensive process of creating a more professional online presence.
On another note, I am now a published author with the release of the special needs anthology Room At the Table: Encouraging Stories from Special Needs Families in November. During my holiday break, I had hoped to complete one whole chapter- leaving one final chapter and edits to be completed. But as we all know, when we make plans, God usually laughs,
As always, my brother asked if we could take care of the pets while they were away for a couple of days. Not a problem until a couple of days later when we realized Lolli was developing an ingrown toenail, and my dad’s allergies were getting worse. That left mom doing most of the cooking and a lot of the caregiving. Fast-forward a few days after Christmas, and mom was having cold symptoms. Now, I’m not feeling that great and wonder if I got some variation on their illnesses.
Despite this, I am trying to remain positive and stick to my goals and commitments. Do you realize since my father first suggested the idea of a blog. I have created over 1000 posts, including the famous blogger and this new website. That may not seem like a lot to you, but for a person using voice recognition. That’s a lot of words.
I can’t help but wonder what God is doing in all this. But, of course, I’m just one person attempting to make a difference in my small realm of influence. But it’s like Candace Cameron once said in a Christmas movie (I think it was A Journey Back to Christmas); she said something like, “Even the smallest ripple in the pond makes a difference.”
That doesn’t mean I’m perfect. I’m still prone to usual fears, like everyone else. But remember what the Bible says; perfect love casts out all fear. Specifically, 1 John 4:17-19 says:
“This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.”(NIV)
So that’s what I am praying for tonight-. Even though I don’t know what the future holds for my friends and me, I trust The One that has our future in his very capable hands. Dear friends, I hope this blog helps you as much as it has been cathartic for me writing it. I hope this helps people realize we should be kinder to those we encounter daily. We are, after all, God’s Ambassadors.
Aren’t we??
Just something to think about..
To listen to Celine Dion’s version of the classic song, please go to: