Y’all, I love homemade Christmas cards and gifts. I ooooo and aaahhh over every. single. one. I also love it when my kids pick me out something they think I want or need. Socks, lotions, jewelry, and whatever else is in their little minds as something they want to give Momma is always special to me.

Many years ago, my son made me a Christmas ornament at preschool with his little hand print on it and my husband broke it on his way home. I cried and cried about it until he decided to ask the teacher to help Isaac make a new one. I was preggo at the time with our third child but still!

My point is that as moms, we are always happy to get the gifts we receive. And, I know most of us would say, the real blessings are the givers! We truly believe that material things are not the best things in life. With that in mind, I’d like to submit to you the list of what we all really need this Christmas and hopefully it encourages you.

1. Peace

This year has been chaotic. I don’t have to go through the list of all we’ve dealt with from a world wide virus to toilet paper shortages to a presidential race that just won’t end.

And, on the home front, we’ve dealt with disappointments from cancelled events and changes of plans and dealing with everyone cooped up with no where to go.

Tensions are high! We need peace. But not just a moment of quiet and tranquility that quickly fades, we need peace that is everlasting! A peace that passes understanding!

True peace is found in letting go of our worries and letting God take control. It starts with prayer. We exchange our worries for thanksgiving for the blessing we do have and God shifts our perspectives.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

2. Rest

I’ve never met a Momma who doesn’t need rest. Two posts on rest are some of the most popular on the blog (links at end). We give a lot and we need time to be replenished our selves.

I don’t want to let this one go without giving some practical tips for rest because I believe this is a wholistic approach.

• Give yourself permission this Christmas to scale things back a notch! If there are just one or two things that you normally try and take on that you can cut out to give yourself a break, cut them.
• Make sure you are getting enough sleep! It’s getting dark earlier, just put the kids to bed 30 minutes earlier. Or, grab yourself a 20 minute power nap when the chance is there.
• Ask for help! Have a conversation with your husband about how he can help more, make sure all of your kids are doing chores and helping around the house, and don’t forget that lots of family and friends are willing to pitch in. Most people are more than happy to help if you just ask.
• Make quiet time a priority! True rest is found in Jesus. Spend time in prayer, read the word, and be still before the Lord.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

3. Grace

Grace is defined as unmerited favor. It is not something we can earn but has to be freely given to us. I don’t know about you but in this season, I have messed up more times than I can count and I could really use some grace.

I need some one to say that no offense is too big to be forgiven, I won’t hold it over you or against you. I will give you the freedom to start over new and extend mercy.

“Grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues.”

John Stott

Blessedly for us, that’s exactly what God offers. He cared enough to send Jesus into our world to rescue us from ourselves. When we confess that we can’t measure up and ask Him to forgive and help us to do better, the Bible promises that “He is faithful and just to forgive us” and He gives us
“grace in our time of need.” Also, that “His mercies are new every morning.”

Let’s take that offer of free grace and walk in it, moment by moment! Trying to measure up and earn our own salvation kills. Only grace can make us alive.

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Romans 6:14

4. Hope

I have heard so many people say, ” I don’t want to get my hopes up that 2021 will be any better than 2020.” They simply do not want to be disappointed. But, it seems to me that living without hope is pretty disappointing in and of itself.

Here’s the deal, we have to have a hope that does not fail or disappoint. We have to have hope in what is sure and true. We have to have hope in Jesus.

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:5

When we place our hope in Jesus, we are never disappointed because He loves us. He keeps His promises. He has give us the gift of the Holy Spirit, His word in the Bible, and access to the throne through prayer.

Our hope is not misplaced because regardless of the trials of this life, we have hope of joy, peace, patience, love, grace, mercy, and help in there here and now and the promise and hope of eternal life with Him some day where there will be no more suffering!!

Rest in the promises and hope of God today, sweet friend. Here are some other posts you may want to check out:

To the Mom Who Needs Rest

Frustrated to Joyful Mom (Free 7 Day Scriptural Prayers Download)

Where does the Stressed Out Christian Mom Find Relief?

Understanding Grace: Is God Ever Unfair?

Choosing Hope When Life Shatters

Do you need Salvation?

If you have never placed your faith in Jesus Christ but would love to have this peace, rest, grace, and hope that I explained, today can be your day of salvation. The offer of hope in Christ is for all who believe and call upon His name.

First step, admit that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Just confess to God all of the ways that you have failed to follow His commands and will for your life and ask Him to forgive you.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:23-24

As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one;

Romans 3:10

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Second step, believe that Jesus paid the penalty for your sin and ask Him to be the Lord of your life. Realize this is a free gift you could never earn and thank Him for it.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Romans 10:13

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Third step, reach out to a local church, pastor, or Christian you know and ask for discipleship. We all need help and love from others on the same journey.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

John 13:34-35

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:2

If you have more questions or prayed and asked God for salvation and don’t know where to get started, please e-mail me and I will be happy to help!! Contact

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