Holiday Emotions
By Shannon Parish

Ah, the joy and excitement of holidays!  Laughter, joy, beautiful memories and words of love, wisdom and grace … or is it words of complaining, bitterness, anger, frustration and hurt?  Painful events have a way of stacking on top of each other squashing out the ‘wonder-years’ and the warm fuzzy feelings along with them. 

Throughout the years, events and emotions are sprinkled in our lives that bring a great deal of joy and wonder as well as pain and sorrow.  The holidays have an almost magical way of bringing every one of them to surface too! 

Thanksgiving day.  It can be hard to be thankful when dealing with unruly and unkind emotions!  What is it about the holidays that set teeth on edge and hearts full of dread?  Where are the magic moments of love filled with precious memories and loving words?  What do we do with those errant emotions that spring up and catch us off guard?

 Give Thanks!  Emotions are a sign of life!  They are also signals to pay attention to the condition of our hearts.  Was it anger, shame, frustration or embarrassment that just rose up and made your face flush red?  What about the overwhelming grief that just blindsided you on a day when you should be laughing and singing holiday hymns?  Did you just experience a moment of hysterical laughter that threw you into convulsions of mirth when no one else in the room joined in?  Your laughter could be a red flag.

Rather than being carried away by unusual and overwhelming emotions, pay attention to them.  Listen to the Holy Spirit teach you about your emotion.  Take it as an opportunity to deal with  hidden and potentially dangerous issues that you’ve not wanted to face.  The holidays are for celebration!  Reward yourself with a friend who will listen and ask questions to help you pin-point the roots of wayward emotions.  And if you are not experiencing unusual emotions, then rejoice!  Do someone else a favor.  Rather than reacting to someone else’s painful outbursts, quickly respond in love by listening to the Holy Spirit instruct you on how to minister love and mercy to the one who is hurting. 

 YOU be the friend that gives another reason to be thankful as you help someone find their way through hidden issues that haven’t been dealt with.  No, you don’t have to be a counselor.  Just a friend.  The greatest gift anyone can give is to listen without condemnation, in an unconditional and loving way.  Show mercy, and you will receive mercy.  Some day it may be you who will need to be listened to, and not condemned.

 Always pause and look at what’s behind an emotion.  Ask God to show you how to respond properly and with the best timing.  To hug or not to hug, that is the question. Whether to ask questions, leave, or cry with them it will go better with you if you don’t react but act – in love. Act on the wisdom that God gives you, for what you sow, you will reap, and this is a harvest that you will definitely want to sow towards, for one of these days, it may not go so well with you and it will be your turn to be listened to and loved through to healing.

=====================================================

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Proverbs 25:11

______________________________

James 5:16

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

RETREATS!!

______________________________________

CONGRATULATIONS to Stacy Willoughby for finding the hidden ball last week!

Now it's YOUR turn to find it!

Click Here to Play! 

Contact Sarahstent@sarahstent.com for more information.

FRUIT-FILLED RASPBERRY RING

 2 packages (6 ounces each) raspberry gelatin
4c. boiling water
1 quart raspberry sherbet 

In a bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water.  Stir in sherbet until melted.  Pour into an 8-c. ring mold.  Chill overnight or until firm.

 FRUIT CENTER

 1 can (14 ounces) pineapple tidbits, drained
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
1 c. flaked coconut
1 c. miniature marshmallows
1 c. (8 ounces) sour cream

 (Dot's note:  The above is the original recipe.  I use fresh grapes, etc., in addition to the above).

Combine the fruit, coconut, marshmallows and sour cream.  Cover and chill.  To serve, un-mold gelatin onto a serving plate.  Spoon fruit mixture into center of ring.  12-16 servings.

 LAYERED VEGETABLE SALAD

1 head lettuce, finely cut
1 head cauliflower, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb. bacon, fried, drained, crumbled

 Layer in large bowl or 9 x 13 pan in order listed and spread dressing on top, sealing to edges

 DRESSING

 1 1/2 c. Miracle Whip
1/2 c. sugar
1/3 c. Parmesan cheese

 Let set several hours before stirring and serving.  Do not stir until ready to serve.

 REGISTRATION COFFEE

 Orange Juice/Grape Juice
Coffee/Iced Tea
Pecan Caramel Rolls
(using *Cinnabon recipe with 1/3 c. brown sugar and 1/2 c, butter mixed and placed in bottom of pan with pecans before baking)

 Dot loves to hear from you and answer your questions.  
You can reach her by writing to: DOTMI@aol.com 

________________________________

www.pastorswives.net 

_________________________________

The following letters were in response to a request for financial support.  How deeply touching they were!  It would be wrong to keep these to myself and not share what your offerings of love have accomplished through the years…

Shannon,

I just wanted you to know that I'm praying for you and your ministry.  I'm sorry to say that I can't help financially....but I am able to pray that someone will come along who can help out that way!
Love,
Amy

**

Dear Shannon,

I am one of the new ones on your list.  I have thoroughly enjoyed and it has been a real blessing to me.  I am a preachers wife and really feel that I need this in my life as an encouragement in so many ways.  I will be glad to send $25.00 at the present time.  I looked for an address to send but did not see one.  Please put this in your letter because surely there will be others that would love to help. 

Because of Calvary

Kathleen H.

**

We are really going to miss you if you do close, please don't close . Please give me the address to help money wise . I can't do a whole lot, but I can send some.

Thanks,  love and prayers sis.

Mel

**

Shannon -

$39.00 is a small price to pay for the wonderful messages I get. I'll be putting a check in the mail today. Apply it to whatever month you would like.

God bless --

Rochelle P

**

Hi there Shannon,

I know Nettie has really enjoyed her time with you.  She has benefited greatly as well.  What are we talking in terms of expenses? Is there a monthly fee for Internet access, or are there other costs as well?

Would it be unreasonable for different people to "sponsor" a month? 12 folks could sponsor the whole thing annually thinking that way.

The more people involved in funding, the lighter the load for each individual...

Jeff & Nettie

 ** NOTE FROM THE EDITOR **

 In answer to the questions raised in the letters above…

• Our hosting is $39 a month. 

• *We can now receive MasterCard and Visa, which can be faxed with amount of donation to 303-404-9487.

• Prayer is always needed to make the righteous decisions that are needed – not just the right ones. As so many of you know, there is a world of difference between a good idea and a God idea.

• Service is something that will enrich you and teach you beyond what you could have thought or asked.  All a servant needs is a servants heart – not all the answers.

_______________________________

Submitted by Sheila

 A small boy's prayer: "Dear God, I hope you take care of yourself. 'Cause if anything happens to you, we would all be in a terrible mess."

 After coming out of the water, a new member exclaimed, "Good grief, preacher, I forgot to remove my wallet from these trousers. It's dripping wet."

"Hallelujah," exulted the preacher, "We could stand more baptized wallets."

 Pastor's Announcement Before Offering:  "I would like to remind you that what you are about to give is deductible, cannot be taken with you and is considered in the Bible that the love of this is the root of all evil."

 I hope that this make you smile a little today.

- Sheila

WEB SITES & RESOURCES
 Visit our LINKS page for a wide variety of resources.
 Trade permanent links with us 

Joy in The Kitchen Volume 4 Issue 38