
By +Jeanne Takenaka @JeanneTakenaka
Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—DWELL. This largely unedited “rough draft” form of writing stretches this perfectionist, in the best of ways. I write for five minutes on a given topic. If you’re interested in learning more about 5-Minute Fridays, check out our hostess, Kate Motaung’s site. Or, click on the link at the bottom of this post. As you read my simpler Friday posts, I hope you’ll join in the conversation!
DWELL
Christmas. Holidays.
Sometimes those words strike fear into the heart of this girl.
Not because of what they mean, but because of what I think they’ll require.
Busy. Preparations. Gifts. Cooking. Oh yeah, and trying to be filled with joy.
The thing is, I can’t really fill myself with lasting joy. Oh, I may be able to for a little while . . . like when I drink a cinnamon latte from one of those little red cups.
But sooner or later, that joy filters out, and stress too often replaces it.
This year, I’ve been thinking about how to do the holidays differently. The biggest thing I can change is where my thoughts—my heart—dwell.
They can focus on everything on my to-do list. The food to buy. The gifts to wrap. The letters to write and send out.
They can focus on getting my kids to concerts, to parties, to activities.

Or, they can choose the stillness route. And focus on the Lord.
Only as my eyes and my heart and my thoughts are inclined toward the Lord will I be able to dwell in peace. To know His true joy.
And really? That’s what I want the most. To walk in His joy. Dwelling in anticipation of what Jesus’ coming means for all of us.
The gift of salvation. Of freedom.
The gift of being able to dwell face-to-face with Him one day.
So yes, the Christmas chaos is coming. But this year, I am choosing to not get wrapped up in it.
Instead, I’m going to take quiet moments each day. To still my heart. To think on HIm. For my thoughts to dwell on the many gifts Jesus has already given me.

His word, His amazing love. His joy.
My family. friends. A passion for writing.
Opportunities to see His fingerprints in my every day.
And the chance to celebrate Jesus and the wonderful gift He’s given us—the gift of His presence each day.
What about you? Where do your thoughts tend to dwell during the weeks from Thanksgiving to Christmas? How do you find joy amid the busyness?
I’m linking up with Kate Motaung. Check out her post on Five Minute Friday—Dwell
Like this:
Like Loading...