Simply Noel: January 5 – Everyone Has a Word

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Simply Noel:

January 5 – Everyone Has a Word

That’s a thing, right? A word. The word for the year…

I’m seeing it everywhere and love hearing which words people are adopting for the new year. Words can be encouraging. Words can breathe life into a soul, a situation, a home. Words have power. God tells us so in His Word, but even the secular realm acknowledges the power of what we speak into existence.

We also have tangible words all over the place. They serve as reminders of who we are, who we want to become, and perspectives that are valuable to us.

In our own bedroom, we have words displayed about love and commitment. In our kitchen, we have words about family and kindness. In our living room, we have words about our faith and values. In our girls’ spaces, we have words about their worth and God’s great love for them. We even have words in our bathrooms and tucked away on cupboard doors. We have words everywhere.

For the past few years, I have chosen a word to guide me through the year. Whether you decide to choose a word or not, I strongly believe that years seem to have themes and can directly affect the desires and expectations we set in place for ourselves and our families.

2017: Joy

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The year 2016 was somewhat a struggle for me as a mom to four. Our fourth was born in 2015, and 2016 felt like a ton of diapers, potty-training, tantrums, cold coffee and bad hair days. My oldest two were in public school at the time, and I spent my days missing them so much and overwhelmed at home at the same time. It was an emotional year for me as a mother. As 2017 arrived and I kept hearing people talk about their word, I couldn’t help but feel the word “joy” come up in my spirit over and over again. I needed joy so badly. We need joy always, but I really, really, really craved it. It became my word, and I honestly saw it popping up everywhere throughout that year.

Funny thing though – when I chose “joy” as my word, I found myself acutely aware of how hard I had to fight for it. But, you know what? It became that much more real to me. I sought it with intention. And now, thanks to that year of intention, intentionally seeking it is forever on my radar.

Psalm 94:19

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

2018: Favor

Psalm 5:12

For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord,
You surround him with favor as with a shield.

Although I was intentionally contending for joy, 2017 came with struggles all its own. These struggles weren’t found on the home-front, however. My husband and I had let certain influences into our lives that in the long-run did not have our best interests in mind. Everything that we had built our lives around became a battle. We were used to being surrounded by people that saw our hearts and caught our visions, and all of a sudden we found ourselves knocking at proverbial doors that didn’t want to budge – doors that were locked from the inside. We would look at each other and just shake our heads. We opened our home, we volunteered every chance we got as parents to multiple young children, and continued to work towards goals we had established as a couple. It felt so futile and exhausting. Ministry had been such a passion for us and we found ourselves feeling stuck and tired. On top of that disappointment, my husband was coming home worried about his job far too often.

As we headed into 2018 overflowing with uncertainty and frustration, the word “favor” was heavy on my heart. We needed favor. I begged for favor. I prayed for favor over our lives every single day. I prayed for favor over my husband’s career every single day. I prayed for favor over my children. I prayed for favor in our relationships.

And, you know what, God answered those prayers. Never in our ten years of marriage did my husband ever have multiple job offers at one time. In past years, we’ve had times of hoping for just one opportunity. At the end of 2018, my husband had his choice of the best fit, and it was a welcomed change that honestly blew our minds.

Psalm 90:17

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

2019: Redemption

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

As seems to be the trend, experiences in 2018 led to my word for 2019: Redemption.

The thief came in 2018.

On September 10th, the woman I loved most, my grandmother, left this earth. Only a handful of people truly know what she meant to me. Growing up she was my constant companion. She was my angel, and her passing left a huge hole in my heart that probably won’t be filled this side of Heaven.

The thief also reared his ugly head in our marriage. I don’t know that a Christmas devotional is the appropriate place to reveal our struggles, but “redemption” is definitely my word for 2019 for good reason.

I believe that God is a Good Father who hears the cries of His children. I believe His heart is softened towards His broken ones and He answers prayers. The answers may not always look like we imagined, but they are answered in His time and in His way. I have faith that in 2019 He will redeem the empty places. Already, He has strengthened relationships with other women in my life and is helping me to love my family as my grandmother loved me. I will not get her back, but I can honor her and feel her close to me as I try to fill her shoes. Her passing has reshaped our family in some new and positive ways. That is redemption at work.

My marriage will never look the same, but I am confident that it will be even better, because every low point chisels and refines if you let it. And as I walk through this year of redemptive experiences, a new word will surely begin to surface for 2020.

Lamentations 3:57-58

57You drew near when I called on You;
You said, “Do not fear!”
58 O Lord, You have pleaded my soul’s cause;
You have redeemed my life.

Your Word:

So, what’s your word for this year? I bet if you’d take a moment to search your heart, it’s there, as plain as day. There’s an aching in each spirit – a longing. God knows what you need, when you need it, and I think that our spirits know what He’s highlighting in our lives. This passage in Isaiah really hit home for me. No matter what it is we are longing for this year, I believe this scripture provides the direction needed to see the goodness unfold in every area imaginable.

Isaiah 58:9-12 (MSG)

If you get rid of unfair practices,
quit blaming victims,
quit gossiping about other people’s sins,
If you are generous with the hungry
and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,
Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go.
I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
firm muscles, strong bones.
You’ll be like a well-watered garden,
a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You’ll be known as those who can fix anything,
restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,
make the community livable again.

“I will always show you where to go.”

That’s God’s word every year…

Always.

I love that. Don’t you?

xo,

Kristi

word

Klover House Christmas:

With it being January 5th, does it still feel like Christmas to you? Our Western culture has definitely made the “12 Days of Christmas” nearly obsolete; don’t you think? We are inundated with ads and jingles from November 1st to Black Friday. Then, we are bombarded with Christmas movies, radio tunes, and Santa-sightings until December 24th. By the time the first day of Christmas comes along, we are Christmas-kaput and dragging trees to the curb. New Year’s approaches and we speed on to our resolutions and clearing greenery for “fresh starts”. Oh, how I wish it wasn’t so. How I long for a Thanksgiving that focuses on families and feasts, and Decembers that glide along like chocolate glaze on hot cookies. I wish we spent those first 24 days preparing our hearts and homes for the King of Kings, and then, when Christmas morning rolls in, I wish it felt like a beautiful dawn breaking over an eternal night. I wish that feeling of awe and wonder lasted for all twelve days.

Twelve days.

That’s how long we should be rejoicing and snuggling. Yes, I know, we have responsibilities to attend to, thanks to this busy world we live in, but wouldn’t it be nice to savor the Savior’s birth for more than a few hours?

I’m guilty of thinking ahead to the next thing. My fourth child’s birthday is about a month away, and I’m already going there in my mind. When I go there, it causes me to think about Valentine’s, too. And in a blink, I’ve forgotten Christmas, and I’m holding off putting things away for the sake of appeasing the part of my soul that really does want to observe the Lord’s celebration a little longer. I may be playing the part on the outside, but my insides are already trying to figure out how to better compartmentalize ornaments and pack garland.

So, today, I plan to make an intentional effort to sit down with my children and spouse and savor Christmas. The tree can come down later this weekend. Before it’s all swept away, I want to address its close with my little ones. Christmas isn’t just a *thing* we do from this date to that date. Christmas is holy and sacred, because Christ is holy and sacred.

Even if you’ve packed up and moved on – I mean we’re all de-cluttering and dieting already, right? – it’s not too late to talk with your people about Christmas. It’s never too late to talk about Christ and how it took the Magi many days to seek him and eventually find him.

The 11th Day of Christmas focuses on the faithful apostles. What a perfect day to talk to our kids about being faithful to Jesus over the course of the new year. We can talk to them about faith and faithfulness and how God is always faithful to us.

Christmas doesn’t have to end because the lights are down and the cookies are a distant memory. Christmas can be for today, tomorrow, and everyday after, because Christmas is simply honoring Christ.

::January 4::    ::Back to the Top::    ::January 6::

Simply Noel: January 4 – Work

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Simply Noel:

January 4 – Work

Do you ever get to a place in your week, your day, your life, that feels like pure work? These times can be so trying and even lonely. I had a moment of what felt like utter hopelessness this past week. It happened last year about this same time, so I know it must not be a coincidence. We come barreling into Christmas like “ready-or-not” and we’re meeting deadlines, and planning all the things, and buying all the things, and we’re fa-la-la-la-ing our little hearts out… Then, we hit New Year’s like “Hello! I comin’ for ya!” And something just pops your balloon. Yep, only two days into the new year, and my balloon was popped.

The house is forever trashed and still covered in toys. I pick them up and they breed again. The cookies are stale, so I can’t retreat into sugar bliss. The kids are whiny from lack of sleep and said post sugar bliss. They are fighting over their new toys, and you’re ready for a tap-out, except you are the mom and ain’t no one coming to the rescue here. It’s cold and dreary and even scheduling a playdate feels like work, so you accept your fate as a January shut-in who clearly needs to perk up and get their act together…

Work.

And suddenly, your whole life just turned into one big to-do list and everything and everyone just looks like a whole lotta work.

That was me.

I’m still coming out of that fog, but I feel like God showed me something today, and I’d love to share it with you.

What if your purpose is simply lost in translation?

I almost always read Scripture in my ESV Journaling Bible. It’s a great translation and pretty accurate from what I can tell. My husband is really into translations and their authenticity to the original Hebrew and Greek, and he also likes the NASB (New American Standard Bible). When we really want to get literal and don’t have a concordance handy, he recommends turning to the YLT (Young’s Literal Translation). Sometimes, the passages don’t flow as poetically, because the purpose is to literally translate the original to English, and there just aren’t always English words for what the Hebrew is conveying. It’s actually literal. So after reading this Scripture I’m about to reference in the ESV (English Standard Version), I decided to take a gander at the YLT, and, boy, am I glad that I did.

I’m sure you’ll see why.

Genesis 2:15 reads:

The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

Seems pretty straightforward, right? Kind of what I was expecting, too. God put Adam in the garden and said it’s yours, take care of it.

That’s kind of how I feel with my life, my home, and my people most days. God put me here and I need to work (clean up, cook, manage the household, the schedules, schooling, etc.) and take care (tend to, love, bathe, feed, listen, meet needs, fix boo boos, etc.) of them. This is my role, my job, and God put me here to do it. Suck it up, Buttercup, and put your game face on! Right?!

Maybe yes, but not like that…

What if understanding my call and seeing it through a different lens could change everything?

Check out the literal translation:

And Jehovah God taketh the man, and causeth him to rest in the garden of Eden, to serve it, and to keep it.

Some of you may be thinking, “What’s the big deal?” But for some of you, I hope light bulbs are going off – especially if you’re struggling lately, too.

There’s such a difference between “put” and “taketh” and “causeth”. Imagine someone putting you in a job. There’s not a lot of say in that, right? The boss put you there, and you are expected to perform your tasks. But now imagine your boss leading you to a place, created just for you, and influencing you in such a way that it causes you to act. God has created this life for us, and He has led us to this place with the hope and expectation that when He moves on our hearts, we will move and act from a place of free will and desire.

Now, let’s compare the remaining parts of that Scripture.

In the ESV, and in most translations, we are told that He puts the man there to “work”, “cultivate”, “dress.” All of these words, when you consider their meaning, seem completely fine! I mean, why wouldn’t God want Adam to prepare and develop and care for the garden? He was the caretaker. But when we read the literal translation, the imagery shifts entirely.

“…causeth him to rest in the garden of Eden, to serve it, and to keep it.”

Rest in the garden.

Are you resting in your garden? I know I’m not. I want to, but I have let the busyness of life and my own expectations of myself and my household drag me to a place of total unrest. First and foremost, God has led us to our places to rest. And then what? To serve it…

What would it be like if you went to a restaurant and your server treated you the way we sometimes treat our spouses or our children? “If I have to pick up that fork you dropped one. more. time!” Or how about this one… “My gosh! You are the messiest group of people! I don’t get paid enough to clean up after you!” You would think that was the worst service, and you’d be right. But, we turn around and treat our loved ones as though caring for them is such hard work. You know what, it is! But, if the attitude of our hearts are right, then we will serve them from a place of rest and see the act of serving as a privilege and not a chore.

We GET to love these people!

We GET to clean these dirty floors!

We GET to wake up and breathe and laugh and hug!

And we are NEEDED! If you are annoyed and find yourself thinking someone under 5 ft. tall is obnoxious at least once a day, that’s probably a good sign that you are needed. lol

All of this stuff – this messy garden – it’s ours to keep. It’s a gift and a treasure.

And when life gets you down or you feel like you’re drowning in your responsibilities, take a minute, close your eyes, and see the garden for what it is: lots of dirt and mess, endless weed-pulling, planting seeds, watering, pruning, etc…

At face value it sounds like work.

Now, close your eyes and imagine tending to that same garden, but you’re not alone. The Lord is pulling weeds in the row next to you. He’s passing the watering can. He’s blessing and throwing seeds into the dirt you just prepared. He’s taking your hand and pulling you over to see your first bud – proof that life is coming from your hours spent serving that place in the earth. Serving. We are serving with Him. We are serving for Him. We are serving through Him.

And this mess is a good place. It’s a restful place. It’s a life-giving place. It’s your place. Keep it.

xo,

Kristi

 

Klover House Christmas:

There are multiple studies out there showing us that there is a correlation between stress and clutter. You’ve probably seen articles suggesting that and have probably read posts divulging life hacks and cleaning hacks and “what-to-throw-away-when-your-kids-aren’t-looking” hacks… Right?! We probably all have areas of clutter in our homes and even minds! Mind-clutter can be worse than paper piles!

One thing I committed to a couple of years ago was minimalism. I found myself yelling at my little kids all of the time to clean up, but then I’d buy them a new toy for filling up a chore chart! What the what?! Totally bonkers. I was rewarding them with stuff that was going to get them into trouble and have them failing in my eyes the next day!

Even though I realized this was an issue in our home, I had a hard time starting with the toys. So, I started with my closet. I took the KonMari Method to heart and donated every single thing that no longer brought me joy. If the fit was wonky, if it was a $5 tee that I bought because it was $5, if I hadn’t worn it in more than two years…I donated it! And guess what? That was about 75% of my clothing! Surprisingly, I was happier, because I realized that I loved what I had left, and I felt good wearing it. I kept a cardigan that I treated myself to for a ridiculous amount of money and a cardigan that is ridiculously riddled with holes (and not the intentional, distressed kind, but the real deal kind). It didn’t matter! If I loved it, and it made me feel good, it stayed.

Once I found that freedom with my stuff, it was much easier to take a good, honest look at my kids’ stuff and even our household stuff. I sold our entire set of dishes for less than $20! All of those wedding gifts…gone. I told myself that they served us well for eight years, and I actually did not need a sixteen piece dinnerware set for our family of six. I went to TJ Maxx and bought eight white dinner plates and eight white salad plates and called it a day. I still can’t believe the amount of empty space in my kitchen! Less dishes = less washing= happier lady. And I have noticed the magic of having less makes you care for your things with intention and appreciation!

All that to say, it’s that time of year again in which we are all purging excess in an attempt to free up our space and our minds. I say, do it! You will be so glad that you did! And now that I have, I have found that I buy less “junk”, and I have the energy to organize what we do have. There’s less to deal with, so everything truly can have a place.

Some people and accounts I follow and love are:

Allie (hardcore minimalist who will motivate you like no other, often offers free web courses) Allie’s IG: @allie_thatsme

Erin of Cotton Stem (beautiful home and minimalist/capsule wardrobe) Erin’s IG: @cottonstem

Clean Mama (doable cleaning routines, printables, products, and motivation) Clean Mama’s IG: @cleanmama

Tricia of Clean House with Kids (mom of 5, minimalist, WAHM, homeschooling) Tricia’s IG: @cleanhousewithkids

Abby of Just a Girl and Her Blog and Abby Organizes (organizes ALL. THE. THINGS., smart space-planning, hacks, and genius ideas) Abby’s IG: @abbyorganizes

Crystal of Money Saving Mom (always so wise with her time and money) Crystal’s IG: @themoneysavingmom

(My Meal Planning post is actually on her site as well if you could use some pointers! Just click here: Klover House Meal Planning)

FlyLady (great resource if you feel like you’re living in chaos) The FlyLady IG: @the_flylady

 

::January 3::    ::Back to the Top::    ::January 5::

Simply Noel: January 3 – A Life Adorned

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Simply Noel:

January 3 – A Life Adorned

“He adorned the house with settings of precious stones. The gold was gold of Parvaim.” – 2 Chronicles 3:6

Adorn –

transitive verb

1:  to enhance the appearance of especially with beautiful objects

2:  to enliven or decorate as if with ornaments

As I knelt down to help my young daughter in the bathroom the other day, I found myself gazing at the little shelf at the base of the sink vanity. Admiring the cinnamon-scented pine cones piled neatly in the center of a white, porcelain tray immediately left me thinking, “I wonder if anyone even notices these.”

The thought stopped me in my tracks.

Did they need to notice? Afterall, I have little things here and there all over the house that have simply become the background of our home. The books on the hutch, strategically placed so that it looks unintentionally pleasing to the eye… The framed pictures on the tables, shelves and walls… The old violin-shaped plant hanger, that I painted yellow last night, hanging on the play room wall… The throw pillows that I contemplated, for what seemed like years, strewn about the couches and chairs…

All of it – intentional.

All of it – for them, for us.

I adorn our home so that it feels like home to them. I have set out to create spaces that feel full of love and warmth. I want them to grow up in an environment that feels safe and clean while having the freedom to live and breathe. I’m building a sanctuary for them, not a museum.

And just as we adorn our homes for ourselves and our families, it occurred to me that God does the same for His beloveds…us.

As I sat there on the floor, waiting for my three year old to finish in the bathroom, I heard my very thoughts repeated to me as if it was the Father – “I wonder if they even notice?” And even if we never do notice the little details that God has intentionally taken care of in our lives, as our parent, our Creator…He understands. He doesn’t provide for us and adorn our lives with good things for recognition. He does it because he loves us. And in our spiritual immaturity, as children of God, maybe details will go unnoticed for years, but that doesn’t make them any less real.

How has the Lord adorned your life? Answered prayers? Financial blessing? The gift of friendship? A warm and beautiful home? A family? A gift? A compliment from a random stranger? A wonderful church? A trusted mentor?

God appreciates details. Know today that He does, and He is a faithful, loving parent who enjoys enriching each corner of your life. Your life is adorned with His goodness, because you are adored by Him.

xo,

Kristi

adorned

Klover House Christmas:

As I begin to tuck away our Christmas decor this week, I look forward to adorning our home with other beautiful things. Even if my family never notices them, I will not let that cause resentment, because I understand why I put forth the effort to create a sanctuary for them. They may not remember the pine cones, the wreaths, the pictures on the wall, or the random bouquets scattered around, but they will remember the way that they felt here and they will know that they were loved and cared for to the best of my abilities. As I set up my new vignettes and rearrange the pillows for the tenth time…I will take a moment to pray for each space and each room. I will bless the places where they rest and play and eat. I will even bless the bathrooms – a space where self-awareness and self-care is fostered. I will pray as I remove the dirty laundry and set out the fresh towels that they grow to love the person that God made each of them to be, and that they will always care more about inward beauty than outward appearance. I will pray that their reflections will always reveal joy-filled eyes and glad hearts. I will bless their physical, mental, and emotional health, too. And as I go from room to room, adorning and praying, I will be content and humbled by all of the things and people God has given me that have made my life more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.

 

::January 2::    ::Back to the Top::    ::January 4::

Simply Noel: January 2 – I Am the Reset

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Simply Noel:

January 2 — I Am the Reset

Have you ever wanted to hit a rest button in life? Maybe in your career… your marriage… your parenting style… your attitude?

I have. I’m in one of those periods right now in which I find myself longing for a reset, a reboot. You know when you shut your computer down and it gives you the option to “update and restart”? Well, it’s kind of like that. So many nights, I find myself crawling into bed, rehashing all of the spots in my day that were either so crummy that I wish I could have a do-over or so glorious that I wish I could have a repeat. Some moments lead me to a pivotal point of learning. I think about the way I responded to my daughter’s twelfth tantrum of the morning and think, “What can I do differently next time?” I wallow in guilt and regret and promise to learn from the cracks in the plan. Then, there are those times that catch my breath in a different way altogether. Those instances during which reality strikes like lightning, and you see how beautiful and wonderful your children are. You see how fast and fleeting the days are and you want to just hold the world steady long enough that time freezes and you can treasure their smallness. But you can’t, and the morning slips into another night, and tomorrow when you all wake up, they’re a little older and life keeps rolling in the same direction as yesterday…

Until it doesn’t.

Have you noticed that major resets in life tend to occur after major incidents? Maybe it’s the birth of a new baby, the taking of a new job, a relocation, a remarriage, a tragedy, a New Year’s Resolution, an epiphany…

I don’t know about you, I realize it’s January 2nd and goals are hot, but I want my reset to occur after an epiphany. Have you ever had an experience happen that really makes you appreciate life? I remember when my third babe tumbled down our stairs and was life-flighted to Children’s Hospital. It was if the world stood completely still. Even in the blurriness of fear, my focus had narrowed so acutely and my mind was totally set on my child and the wellbeing of her and her sisters. Nothing else mattered. Things were scrambling but I was also stuck in slow motion. Each second meant something.

The same thing occurred after my miscarriage years ago and following my husband’s sudden job-loss a decade ago. Yet, when the shock wears off, the trauma begins to heal, or the newness of a situation isn’t so new anymore, you slip back into the normalcy of life. Sometimes, it’s a new normal, but it becomes a “normal” all the same.

It’s the start of a new year. Who needs a new “normal”?

I need a new “normal.”

If I’m being honest, we stumbled through much of the past 365 days. We walked through the still unfamiliar territory of homeschooling, suffered a tremendous blow to our personal life, and lost a treasured family member. To say I don’t wake up wishing life looked differently most mornings would be a lie. But, each day is a new choice — to walk limping or to put on God’s Armor and tell my soul to rise and go in His strength, grace, and truth.

I am the reset. You are the reset. At any moment we can chose to be the new start we so desperately desire to see. It’s a battle, for sure, but it’s a winnable battle.

Some of us choose a word for the year, and that word becomes our war cry. Some of us place scripture and visual reminders around the house to snap us back to reality when our mindsets are less than rosy. Some of us practice daily gratitude as a way to focus on the good and the true that is so often missed, although right in front of us. Some of us stop and pray. Some of us sip coffee with a friend who breathes life into weary bones, igniting visions of a beautiful future. Some of us stop and grab the face of a loved one and just relish in the way their eyes sparkle when you say the words, “I love you.” Some of us do all of the above and then some — to reset.

There’s nothing magical about the calendar. God’s given you the gift of yesterday and today, and there’s a good chance tomorrow will be waiting for you, too. As January turns to February, don’t let the newness wear off. Any day of the year, any hour of the day, is a great time to reset if you need to.

xo,

Kristi

fruit

Klover House Christmas:

Today, I walked around my home and tried to figure out what I wanted each room to feel like over the next few months.

Im a minimalist when it comes to decor, and I often try to decorate once per season. That means, you’ll find more “winter” items than Christmas. You’ll probably be hard pressed to find Valentine’s decor, unless it’s a bouquet of fresh flowers and a bowl of chocolates. I try to decorate with purpose, meaning, and in such a way that requires minimal rearranging and dusting. Honest.

I know I’m not alone in that camp. This is a tricky time of year, because the festivities are coming to a close, as we’re on the ninth day of Christmas. Holiday decor is being tucked away for another year, but our homes are still begging for warmth and coziness as these barren months await us.

My challenge to you is to take a house-walk, as well. Think about how you want its inhabitants to feel in each space. Work with what you already have and create a clean, cozy, warm and welcoming home for the people you love. It doesn’t need to be fancy. As for me, I want my home to say to my family: “You are safe. You are loved. You are meant to be here. All this is cultivated with you in mind.”

January 1    ::  Back to Top   ::   January 3

Simply Noel: January 1 – His Joy in the Wine

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Simply Noel:

January 1 – His Joy in the Wine

His joy is in the wine…

I’m not a drinker. I confess, I have been a little envious at times of some of my devout Christian friends who enjoy a good glass of wine from time to time. I realize there are health benefits, and so I’m not opposed to sipping a fine wine with a good meal. But… I. Just. Can’t. I choke it down every time.

So, I am writing this today, not as a knowledgeable person when it comes to wine, but, rather, as a Christian who sees the miracle in the wine.

The account of Jesus’ first miracle has always intrigued me. Why a wedding? Why wine? Why does it seem as though Mary would ask him to perform a parlor trick of sorts in public? I’m sure there are very well-developed theories answering all of those questions, but I’m not a scholar. I am a busy mom to four little people, who loves Jesus and just wants to hear from Him everyday.

One Sunday, during worship, I received the most beautiful thoughts regarding the water turning into wine. I was thinking about communion and how Jesus took the cup (with the “fruit of the vine” Mark 14) and told the disciples that it was His blood, poured out for many.

I thought about the Wedding at Cana and how He most likely used water that was intended for ceremonial washing. This unclean water had miraculously turned into the best wine, out of view from the attendees and relatively in secret. His mother, disciples, and just a few servants were the only people witnessing the miracle taking place.

How fitting to show us a spiritual transformation taking place between a life-giving water that is intended to clean our physical bodies and sustain our lives to a spiritual drink that washes our soul clean and gives us eternal life? Many readers may take the Bible at face value, but I love it when imagery takes hold of my heart and He draws me closer to Him in that way.

I reread that passage over and over afterwards, and a second point caught my eye:

From John 2: 6-11 (Emphasis mine)

6Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.[a] 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

“So they took it.”

Yes, they were servants doing what servants do and following orders, but they were taking washing water to their boss, essentially, to present it as wine.

I believe it was an act of obedience, but maybe it was also an act of faith. They filled the washing pots themselves with water, and they knew what was in the pots. Jesus didn’t touch the water, speak to the water, or even stretch out His hands (as Moses did with the first plague when He turned the water of the Nile into blood). He simply gave the orders, and they listened.

Faith.

Doing what God tells you to do, simply because you are taking Him at His word.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

– Ephesians 2:8

Salvation is His gift to us, given out of grace, since we do not deserve it and can’t earn it. To receive it, we must believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for us and rose again. That takes faith; we receive the miracle of salvation by exercising faith. Much like the servants, we walk to the water, and draw from it, and what we have in return for that faithful obedience is wine – His blood, poured out for many. His blood, that covers a multitude of sins and washes us white as snow, can only be ours if we trust Him.

He endured the cross for the “joy set before Him”; His blood was shed for the joy set before Him…

His joy is in the wine.

Will you drink of it today?

xo,

Kristi

wine

 

Klover House Christmas:

On the eighth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eight maids a milking…

I just love that song (it drives my hubby bonkers). The kids and I belt out “five gold rings” at the top of our lungs. It’s so much fun.

I’ve been reading about the supposed meanings behind each of the gifts in the song, and today, the eighth day, the lover presents the eight maids and they are said to represent the eight Beatitudes given by Christ during the Sermon on the Mount.

We talk about the Fruits of the Spirit often in our home, but I don’t recall ever teaching the girls about the Beatitudes. I think it is worthwhile to study them for myself, print them out for the kids to see, and start talking with them about who the Lord calls “blessed.”

After all, when the angel Gabriel first addressed Mary in Luke, he referred to her as “highly favored” and “blessed” among women. Wouldn’t it be amazing to hear those words from God himself?

Matthew 5: 1-12

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.  

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Maybe, like me, you haven’t given much thought to sharing these in your home? I hope to *translate* them for my children in such a way that they can apply each to their lives, and, together, we will discover what it means to be “blessed.”

 

::December 31::    ::Back to the top::    ::January 2::

Simply Noel: December 31 – New Year’s Eve Wrapped Up in a Word

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Simply Noel:

December 31 – New Year’s Eve Wrapped Up in a Word

It’s New Year’s Eve! We made it! Another year under our belts. Another 365 days of memory-making. We’ve walked through hard times and good times… We’ve made new friends, we’ve said painful goodbyes. We’ve taken new adventures, and we’ve stepped out of comfort zones.

And you know what?

We were made for this.

To keep going.

Each year, we find ourselves decluttering our homes and lives around this time. We’re clearing out the old to make room for the new. Many of us are intentionally stripping away the noise, simplifying our lives in preparation for better days ahead. We become more focused, more aware of our bodies, habits, lifestyles, and dreams.

We resolve to make the next year better than the last.

We make resolutions and lists. We set goals and make plans.

We are a resilient people.

Resilient.

“The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.”

– Job 17:9

Resilient.

That’s us. We may not even realize we’re doing it, but we are a people who get back up when we’re knocked down. We’re a people who says “tomorrow will be better than today.” We are a tribe of optimists, and I know it because of New Year’s Eve. Even the worldliest of people shown on television exhibit the familiar acceptance that tomorrow, when they wake up, they will be greeted with a fresh start.

It’s woven into our DNA. Our God is the God of New Beginnings. Our God is the Redemptive force that burns inside ALL of humanity’s bones. His Spirit roams the earth breathing life and hope into dry bones.

How beautiful it has become to watch all of these people gathering around the world in the name of “new beginnings” knowing that they do so because He’s created them to crave a fresh start, a better life, and a stronger version of themselves.

Oh, that they, we, would all come to know that it is Him inside of us. It’s a characteristic of our Father that we have inherited and drives us to move forward – closer to Him – closer and closer and closer to Him.

Happy New Year, friends!

xo,

Kristi

Klover House Christmas:

Earlier this year, I attended a little seminar. I walked in and found a seat alone, far away from anyone else in the room. I knew it was going to be a time of worship and self-reflection, and I was prepared to get real with myself and maybe even shed a tear or two.

I never did cry, but at one point in the meeting, the speaker encouraged us to ask the Father in prayer for a word – a single word that He thinks of when asked, “What do You think when You think of me?”

So, I closed my eyes, wondering what it was that I would hear, if anything. I said, “God, what do you think when you think about me?” And I waited. It honestly took a millisecond. I heard the word, “Perseverance” as clear as day.

If anything brought me close to tears, it was that word. I was expecting to hear something like “beautiful” or “lovely” or “caring” – whatever. I wasn’t putting a ton of stock into hearing anything of real substance. So, when I heard perseverance, it was striking. He saw my efforts and my heart. He really saw how I felt when it seemed life had kicked me over and over, and I got back up every time only wanting to push harder and do better. He saw the faith that sometimes hung by a thread, yet I clenched to as though my life depended on it. He saw me.

And you know what, He sees you, too.

I bet that if you were to take a serious moment and ask Him the same question that he would answer you.

I pray that you try it, and it changes your life.

Happiest of New Year’s to you, and may tomorrow be the start of an amazing year for you. xo

 

::December 30::    ::Back to the Top::    ::January 1::

Simply Noel: December 30 — The Stillness and God

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Simply Noel:

December 30 — The Stillness and God

And the Snow

As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

Isaiah 55:10

“…and the snow…”

The world lay washed in white and the stillness brings both peace and quiet. When life is sweet, so is the stillness of snow and tranquility it provides.

For some, however, the stillness can be an unwelcome reminder of quiet. Quiet is great until you’re looking for an answer.

“Where are you, Lord?” is a question we surely find ourselves asking at some point in our lives.

Sometimes, we are tossed into life events that bring us to our knees and we long to hear a reassuring word from our Father.

And, instead… stillness. Like freshly-fallen snow on the crisp winter day, the snowflakes, like moments ticking by, lay quietly in the stillness. No movement or rustling of life to be seen or heard – just stillness.

The Three Gifts

Today, the sixth day of Christmas, is the day in which we remember the Magi – the wisemen – who came from afar. Like an unexpected stirring in the stillness, they arrived to worship the new King Jesus.

Their arrival was no surprise to God the Father. It wasn’t immediately following the birth, and they didn’t take a direct route, having stopped at Jerusalem first, but they came.

Out of the stillness, they came to acknowledge the Promise of God in the flesh, and they didn’t come empty-handed.

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Matthew 2:1-12

Gold – a gift fit for a King. Let the gold remind us today that the Lord is King of our lives. Even when we feel like wanderers without a Guide in life, he has Lordship over our lives and He will always be our King. We will always be His royal children. Gold is also a sign of deity. He is God, and, unlike the worthless idols made of gold, we see here a picture of this most precious ore being presented to Jesus as a gift. Even the most valuable things in life pale in comparison to Jesus; they are treasures placed at His feet. Gold also withstands the fire. In fact, gold is refined by fire. In the fiery trials of life, let us become like gold and come out better, stronger, and purer for them.

Frankincense – the incense resin. Our lives are to be like incense poured out unto Him. We live each day as an act of worship and our prayers and praise are to be like incense rising to His throne. Remember when King David was losing his child? He prayed and praised. And in Psalm 141, he asks the Lord to consider his prayers as incense, his lifted hands, an evening offering. Just as David gave his prayers and praise to God in both good times and bad, we are to do the same. Frankincense, in the natural, is a healing resin. It has shown to reduce stress and anxiety, reduce inflammation, and even fight diseases, such as cancer. How fitting that our prayers and praise would be compared to the very element in God’s creation that does such things in the natural? Our prayer and praise can do those very things in the spiritual – battle anxiety, disease, areas of unrest and irritation… God knew exactly what He was doing when He inspired the Magi to bring these wise treasures. A symbol of righteousness, Frankincense reminds us that the Lord’s eyes are on the righteous, and He hears their cry. Nearly every scripture that includes the word “righteousness” or “righteous” addresses being rescued, freed, saved, inheriting Heaven, being heard, delivered, blessed…

Myrrh – the healing and embalming resin. What an odd gift to bring a newborn King, is it not? But perhaps this gift was prophetic? The Lord would go on to suffer and die for humanity’s sake. Remember the myrrh today as you remember Christ’s great sacrifice and gift to you. Death is as much a part of the birth story as Life. Christ came to die, in order to defeat death and the grave once and for all. Like myrrh in the natural, His death healed our wounds and diseases, brought restoration to our broken relationship with the Father, and made us new and alive again. His death brought complete life.

Be Still and Know…

So, as you wait in the stillness, know. Know who God is and that He is good. Know that He hears your cries and remember His gifts that came that night. The world lay still, and they came from afar, breaking into the stillness. They offered their finest gifts, and these gifts were a message to us. He is your King. He is more precious than gold, and He has made you like gold. You will go through the fires of life and come out pure and strong.

Choose righteousness. Let your prayers and praise intertwine, even on the darkest of days. Know that they rise to Heaven and catch His ear. Your prayers change things. Your praise shakes the earth. Your prayers and praise together defeat the enemy and destroy stress and anxiety. Embrace that truth today.

Remember the myrrh and that His death had the last word. Even His birth was forever attached to a symbol of healing, reminding us that from the beginning His purpose was to save us. He is our healing balm and the preserver of life. He is so good and cares deeply for us.

So, I ask you today to be still and know. Take five minutes right now to read through Psalm 46 in its entirety, and allow His steadfast love for you to break through any doubt or sadness you may be feeling. Cease striving. Stop fretting. Let Him calm your worried mind. He came that we might be free. He came that we might be saved. He came that we might discover through His life and His Word just how truly loved we are.

Don’t fear the stillness. His snow comes from Heaven to water the earth and it will not return until it has saturated those still places in your life. When you ask, “Where are you?” know He’s not silent; there’s actually something very powerful taking place beneath the quiet white…

 

Klover House Christmas:

Have you seen the movie, “War Room”? I remember after watching that, I felt so inspired to create a prayer closet. A real one. Well, I went to Hobby Lobby soon after and bought everything I thought I’d need for my prayer wall. Then, life happened, and the items were shelved. My husband and I spoke of tearing down that very wall in order to expand an itty bitty bathroom, so all previous plans were scrapped.

This post was a difficult one for me to write, because I struggled with typing what was on my heart and expressing what I thought the Lord was showing me. You see, we have situations in our lives that call us to pray hard prayers. People we love need real miracles. People we follow on social media need real miracles. Having the heart of an intercessor can feel heavy at times, and when you aren’t seeing answers to those passionate prayers in tangible ways, it can feel exhausting.

Lately, I’ve felt a pull back to creating a prayer wall of sorts. Now that our bathroom is nearly completed, I can start what I set out to start all of those months ago.

I tell you this because I think that seeing prayer requests with my eyes and watching how God answers them over the course of the next year will be life-changing for me and for our family. So often, the Lord probably answers a need in an unexpected way and it goes unnoticed.

Seeing the Lord working in our lives and having evidence of that can be transformative.

What does that have to do with Christmas?

Well, we celebrate Christmas because of Christ and who He is in our lives. Imagine how much deeper our worship would go if we saw Him through a more accurate lens. Imagine celebrating a Christ you came to know as He truly is. It would be that much easier a year from now to let the hustle and bustle fall to the wayside. Christ would be that much more special and all of the holly-jolly-spend-too-much-money-fa-la-la-la-pass-the-cookies stuff wouldn’t even matter anymore. Our adoration of our good God would naturally be front and center.

So, how about we make those prayer lists a real thing in our homes – big or small – and see how God shows up in our lives…

::December 29::     ::Back to the Top::    ::December 31::

Simply Noel: December 29 – What Are We Waiting For?

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Simply Noel:

December 29 – What Are We Waiting For?

We all have plans for our lives, right? We all have dreams and hopes. Sometimes, these aspirations involve our friends, spouses, children… Sometimes, these hopes rest solely on our own shoulders.

During these last twenty plus years of being a devoted lover of Jesus, I have had the unique opportunity of having wonderful dreams birthed in my heart. Some of these plans have been confirmed by words spoken to me by both trusted friends and total strangers. Some visions of my future were first realized when I was still in my teens and the beautiful pictures of those things to come only seem to grow richer as the years pass.

But, as the days tick by, I also feel that sense of, “Why not NOW, Lord?” more and more. The suspense and waiting is almost too much to handle at times. Even though I know in my heart of hearts that right now isn’t the most ideal time for certain things to come to pass in my life, I want to see the fruit before I’ve watered the seeds.

I found myself thinking today that I’d rather be closer to my “best life” by this time next year than be sitting here feeling as though I haven’t changed one bit. We’re growing older, but, admit it with me, that may be the only difference between the you reading this now and the you 365 days from today.

As I considered this possibility, I felt a deposit of wisdom hit my spirit.

If I want to be a writer, be seen as a writer… I must BE that writer right now. I must SEE myself as that writer today. I can’t wait for a publisher to take notice. I can’t beat myself up over lack of readership or popularity. If I am that writer twenty years from now, I am that writer right now.

If I want to minister to women on a public platform years from now, I need to keep ministering to women right where I am. My daughters are the future’s women. I need to pour into them all of the great advice I think I have right now. After all, our families are some of the best testimonials of a life well-lived. I need to encourage my friends. I must be a listening ear for my family members. I need to be that person of influence in the smallest areas of my life.

If I want to own a cafe/shop with my daughters, I need to carry myself as a proud entrepreneur today. For years, the dressmaking endeavors left me feeling so inadequate. Why would anyone want a frock made at 2AM on my dining room table when they could buy Matilda Jane? I told myself that my online shop would only succeed if I had a decent financial backing to help it flourish. I was constantly my own worst critic and biggest nag. I saw myself as a “nobody” and I’m sure the lack of confidence hurt my businesses.

Whatever you feel that the Lord has called you to, don’t put off being that person until the circumstances are just right and you “look” the part. Start seeing yourself as that future you NOW.

As I wait for those cafe dreams to fully transpire, I will keep developing my hospitality skills. I’ll continue to learn new things in the kitchen. I’ll keep preparing meals for others. I’ll keep baking with my daughters. I’ll keep praying over buildings in my city. I will keep watering those seeds of faith and promise.

When I was pregnant with Miriam, who is nearly four, a Man of God came to our home church and prophesied that our youngest two children would be worshipers and encouraged us to “invest in a keyboard NOW.” Of course a then two-year-old and newborn can’t play the piano, but what did we do? We bought the piano. We planted the seeds.

Now, my oldest daughters both play. It’s a great sacrifice for us, financially, and the prophetic word wasn’t even directed at them, but we will water the seed. We have taken the Lord at His word and have decided to pour into those future claims. To us they are musicians, and we treat them as such.

We need to do the same for ourselves. What are we waiting for?

What do you want to see happen for yourself next year? What did the Lord lay on your heart? You wouldn’t wait until the keys are in your hands before saving for the car, right? Don’t wait until the situation looks just right before you start seeing yourself a certain way.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

Hold your head up high, and put that on repeat.

xoxo,

Kristi

 

Klover House Christmas:

As New Year’s Day approaches, I’d love to share a few of my favorite, easy breakfast ideas. I don’t know about you, but we love breakfast around here. I’ve been kind of taking it easy lately, but I love making breakfast on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. I’ve linked some posts here, and I hope it helps you find a new, delicious breakfast to try! xo

Pancakes

French Toast (and Strawberry French Toast)

Banana Bread

Eggnog French Toast Casserole 

Sausage Strata

::December 28::    ::Back to the Top::    ::December 30::

Simply Noel: December 28 – New Year, New Wardrobe

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Simply Noel:

December 28 – New Year, New Wardrobe

Yesterday, we talked about walking in rest. Today is all about letting your Heavenly Father dress you for the day.

Sounds a little silly, right? But the Bible mentions clothing, being clothed, “putting on” and wearing a lot. Covering us is one of His many pleasures. From the time of the Fall of Adam and Eve, He has covered humanity. His blood shed covers a multitude of sins. He covers us beneath the shelter of His wings. He is a strong and mighty tower that we are told to run into. He hides us in the cleft of the rock. He cloaks us with righteousness. He provides armor to fight and defeat the enemy of our souls. His banner over us is Love.

He covers. He clothes. He provides.

Being clothed starts with knowing the truth of the Gospel and where you fit into that truth. Accepting that clothing takes living in the reality that Jesus first and foremost calls us to seek Him and spend time with Him. We’ve heard a thousand times that you can’t pour from an empty cup. Although, I’m sure many of us are doing just that nearly every day of our busy and rushed lives. That would be where supernatural grace comes in. Yes, He comes through for us and gives us the strength to make it day-by-day, but I don’t think that was His intention for His bride.

When you look at the infamous “Proverbs 31 Woman,” you see her doing amazing things. Whether she is real or just a metaphorical figure for us to learn from, we see a very real truth emphasized in her account: She has discovered the wisdom of taking care of herself so that she is a healthy, capable vessel. She meets the needs of others, is an entrepreneur as well as homemaker, and clearly walks in rest. “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future…” Anyone who can smile and laugh at the days ahead is surely clothed in peace and living from a place of rest. She knows her worth and exhibits self-respect. We don’t need to be earthly royals to live as daughters of the King; we only need know our identity as such.

You are a Child of God. He has given you a wardrobe of humility, righteousness, strength, and dignity. He says so in His Word. His salvation (the Gospel) is to be your joy and your garments are made of praise, compassion, kindness, patience, and gentleness.

So where do we find this supernatural closet?

At His feet, of course.

When I lean on Him, I find rest. When I look to Him, I find hope. When I give it all to Him, I find peace. When I take His hand, I find strength. When I listen to Him, I find truth. When I believe His truth, I find my identity. When I know who I am, I find dignity. When I am dignified, I am clothed well. When I am clothed in His fine garments of humility, compassion, kindness, joy, patience, gentleness, righteousness… I can live with boldness and confidence. When I am confident in whose I am, I can give myself fully to others, never fearing the pang of exhaustion or emptiness. And that comes back, full circle, to an actual relationship with Him.

Fill up your cup by spending time with the Father.

Allow Him to clothe you today.

Just as you select your shirt for the day, ask Him for the article you feel you need. If you are lacking peace, patience, kindness…whatever it is, ask Him for it. If you don’t know where to start, simply start with a simple and honest prayer:

“I’m looking for you, Lord. I’m here and I’m ready to know you as my Father and to feel Your peace in my life. Speak to me today in a way that You know I can understand. I will seek You until I find You. Amen.”

I know He is faithful, and His word is truth. He is a God of His promises, and His promise is that if we seek Him with all of our hearts, He will be found. His desire is to be found and to clothe you “in fine linens and purple.” You will lack no good thing and will be clothed in the most beautiful attributes, but it starts by seeking His heart.

xo,

Kristi

 

Klover House Christmas:

This morning, my eight-year-old asked if we could start collecting money for the homeless. I was pretty taken aback. Of course I said, “Yes!” It is a beautiful idea, and I want nothing more than to see my girls develop hearts of compassion. As I mentioned above, compassion is a garment from the Father and to see them already clothed in that attribute… May I never disregard those requests.

So, today, I plan on sitting down for about ten minutes and compiling a list of things I’d like to see happen in the coming year. A bucket list of sorts. Nothing too detailed or lofty. I don’t want to set us up for failure. I just need a few goals for myself and for my family as a whole that will motivate and inspire us throughout the year. Items such as “giving to the homeless in a tangible way” is something that we can all put our hearts into and that will grow us as children of God.

Something I’d like to see change in my life this year is how quickly I become frustrated with myself and my children. Many people compliment my patience, but at home, I feel the total opposite. I see the constant mess and the never-ending list of projects and I grow frustrated. The kids are at an age at which they argue nearly all of the time, and the noise level in the house could shatter any mom’s thinking cap.

I think sitting at His feet each morning and asking for that patience will help me to walk in the peace and rest I described yesterday.

So far, here is my list:

  1. Spend time with the Father each morning
  2. Play worship music downstairs daily (it plays 24/7 in the kids’ bedrooms only)
  3. Give to the Homeless in a tangible way
  4. Bless a child or children from another country
  5. Eat more family dinners at our dining room table (less at the island with mom and dad standing)
  6. Go on a date with my husband at least once a month
  7. Make exercise a priority (Isla is my accountability partner)
  8. Paint and hand letter on Sundays

What’s something you would add to your own list?

Lets share and encourage one another. Next year CAN be the best year yet.

 

::December 27::    ::Back to the Top::    ::December 29::

Simply Noel: December 27 – Come Away and Rest

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Simply Noel:

December 27 -Come Away and Rest

We’ve been thinking a lot about perspective this month. Take it slow. Be intentional. It’s better to give than receive. Presence over presents. Asking for help when it’s needed, accepting it when it’s freely offered. Saying “no” so you can say “yes” to what truly matters. The list goes on…

I believe there’s a distinction between taking a break and living from rest. Think about the things you take breaks from… work, exhausting activities, toxic relationships, social media…

Breaks are necessary and often healthy, but what would it be like if following this busy season of Christmas we didn’t need a break because we’ve learned to live from a place of rest?

The Lord clearly exemplifies this mindset and lifestyle. You never saw an example of a rushed, flustered, exhausted Jesus. He was needed 24/7.

But he knew the importance of rest. He commended Mary’s decision to sit at his feet. He prioritized time taken to talk privately with the Father in prayer. And He left his company of friends and fellow travelers to recharge and encouraged them to do likewise:

And he said to them,

“Come away by yourself to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.”

—Mark 6:31-32

As we close out this year, let’s take time for ourselves to rest, to go to that quiet empty place inside (and maybe that empty spot in our home) And find rest and comfort in Him. And then, as we walk into the New Year, let’s allow rest to reign in our souls.

Don’t be troubled; He’s got this (whatever “this” is) and you. Don’t rush; the days will pass with or without you stressing the minutes away. Sit at His feet more; He said Himself that time spent with Him can never be taken away from us. Don’t wait until you need a break to run to Him. He’ll welcome you with open arms when and if you do, but why not decide right now that you’d much rather live from rest? Even when the world feels like it’s crumbling around you, can you visualize Him walking through the midst of it with your hand safely tucked in His? That perspective changes your day and a changed day leads to a changed life.

Be well and rest, friend.

xo,

Krsti

 

rest

 

 

Klover House Christmas:

Today was much like yesterday, but the mood in the house was completely different. Why?

Well, I think I can take credit for that. My attitude was different today, and it was clearly contagious. This idea of living from rest took root, and I “freaked out” 100% less than I did yesterday. The mess was equally as bad and the kids still had the random spats and misbehaviors, but it didn’t break me. There’s something so powerful about walking in truth and allowing that peace to take over.

For the remainder of the day, I’m just going to continue practicing walking in rest and observing how it impacts my family. I can bet we all smile more, laugh more, and show love a little better, too.

 

::December 26::    ::Back to the Top::    ::December 28::