Reflecting Thoughts

Reflecting Thoughts


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
December 30, 2010

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: - Proverbs 23:7a KJV

January is the time when holiday decorations are packed and stored back in the attic, school starts up again and we return to our regular routines as we begin thinking about what we hope for in the coming year. It is such a great feeling sometimes to sort of “wipe the slate clean” when an old year ends and a new one begins. The old habits and mindsets get left behind and we have high hopes for the New Year. Did you know that our lives reflect our thoughts? We should look hard at our life and see where we are at this moment. Have our thoughts limited us, do others believe in us more than we believe in ourselves? Do we think big or small? Are we afraid to break out of the box? Much to ponder here. What it a thought? It is something that we consider as a possible choice or action. It is important to guard and filter our thoughts. If a person sets out to accomplish something, they should continuously practice positive self talk. Saying things like, “I know I can do it. God is by my side lifting me up.” You may be one of the many people who want to improve finances, get out of debt, exercise more or eat healthier. We have many choices available to us to promote positive growth and change. We just have to take the first step. When we wish to embark on something new, it is always wise to ask for God’s Will and His Help. If He wants it to happen, He will open every door for us, but if He doesn’t want us going in that direction, we can count on Him to close every door. We shouldn’t get disappointed when doors shut because my experience is that God has something even better in mind for us than we could have hoped for. God gets the final say, but I believe He always takes joy in seeing us trying to improve our lives, our health, and our situation under His Protection. We can all use this time at the beginning of the year to practice good thoughts and positive self talk in our everyday life, whether we are making a big life change or simply going about our familiar routine.

O Holy Night

O Holy Night



Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
December 22, 2010

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. -Luke 2:14 NIV


My father’s favorite Christmas carol was, ‘O Holy Night’. He is resting in Heaven now but I think of him when I hear it on the radio and it brings sweet memories. Over the years, I would pull out the sheet music from the piano seat and try in earnest to play this carol without error. My father appreciated my annual effort and didn’t seem to notice that the left hand and right hand weren’t always in sync. Let’s just say that ‘O Holy Night’ and I continue to be a work in progress.

Interestingly, this carol has quite a history. It was the first carol ever played live on a Christmas radio broadcast, dating back to 1906. The broadcast on December 24, originating from Massachusetts, was intended for ships at sea and the signal was picked up as far south as Norfolk and even as far as the West Indies, when it was rebroadcast on New Year’s Eve that year. Of all the words in this carol, it is the third verse that has the meaning for me and maybe you will agree,” Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace.” That says it all, doesn’t it? Can we claim this as our Christmas message this year?

To add to the sights of this season, the recent early snow on the Outer Banks brought in the first frosty breath of winter. Each snowflake that fell added up and before long there was a glistening of white glaze. It makes everyday things different. Was nature showing us that with one snowflake at a time we can change the landscape? Imagine what His love and peace could do if it was passed around the world! We could be a lighthouse in the darkness. He offers His Love as His pure gift to us. It is not wrapped. You won’t find it under the tree. It is there in our hearts where He placed it. He wants us to find the light He placed within us and pass it on. Now let us see if we can blanket the earth with His love and peace and change the look of things, just like a snowflake does…one at a time.

Merry Christmas and May God Bless You!

Traditions

Traditions


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
December 15, 2010

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, -- Galatians 5:22 NIV

One definition for tradition is, “a story or a custom that is memorized and passed down from generation to generation”. I think of it as a circle of love. It goes round and round to warm and comfort a family in their own specialness.

It is the time of year to finalize those holiday plans and bring to life those childhood traditions again. This year our family won’t get to see everyone all at once as we have in the past. That has been our tradition in previous years, but we will have to revise it this year. We have been fortunate to be together so often over the years that we must celebrate that instead. It is the traditions that were set in place long ago that are the common thread in our family, whether we can geographically be together or not. We will still enjoy my mother’s cornbread stuffing because all the cooks in the family now have that recipe. My husband will have a bit of his mother with him as we eat out of her mother’s cranberry bowl. It has been passed down now 3 times! We haven’t decided if we will have my fathers’ fruit ambrosia or banana pudding. He finally conceded and gave us his secret recipes just a few years ago to our delight! Whether we are all at the same table together or scattered across many states, it is the comforts of tradition that brings about closeness and bridges any gaps. It is also a reminder to us of the memories that have helped to shape us and our holidays’ past.

Many families, regardless of their faith or heritage will begin celebrating using their traditions carried from generation to generation. The Jewish community will celebrate Chanukah by lighting the Menorah for eight days. The Christians will celebrate Christmas, celebrating the birth of Christ on the 25th.. African-Americans will honor their heritage for seven days in a fairly new tradition called Kwanzaa, beginning on the 26th. A local Outer Banks tradition called, “Old Christmas” goes back over 100 years and is still celebrated by some, but this celebration occurs as it always has, in January.

What will you pass down this year? A recipe, an old treasured family tablecloth, that special saw that always cut down the Christmas tree? Maybe we can add to that. Let’s meet this season with peace and the fruit of the spirit in our hearts to love and forgive the offenses from the past. Let it be a time to right the wrongs, make peace, love the unlovable and be merciful. We are all God’s Children and we are a part of His Circle of Love. Pass it on!

Christmas Wreath

Christmas Wreath


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
December 08, 2010

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. -Psalm 118:29 NIV

It is said that in ancient times, the Christmas Wreath, made of evergreens, symbolized the strength of life overcoming the forces of nature. The Romans hung wreaths as a sign of celebration and victory. But the Christians believed that the circular wreath represented immortality, making the Christmas Wreath very symbolic and meaningful. The colors of Christmas are green and red. Green represents the continuance of life through winter and the belief of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Red is representative of Jesus’ blood at crucifixion. Today, evergreen wreaths with red ribbons are found on doors and windows, both inside and out at the holidays. The Advent Wreath has its own importance that originates back to the 16th century in Germany. Four candles nestled in an evergreen wreath are lit, one at a time each week leading up to Christmas. A fifth candle in the center of the wreath represents Jesus’ birth and is lit on Christmas Eve. It is a symbol of hope and light. The custom of lighting the Advent Wreath is still practiced today in many homes and churches.

The season is here. The wreaths are hung and the tree is adorned. It is a busy time. There are menus to plan and family to prepare for. Jingle Bells are ringing and Christmas Carols are hummed out of tune while scurrying from errand to errand. In the frenzy of getting ready for Christmas, I am reminded that we shouldn’t lose sight of the deeper meaning of it. Festivities, parties, presents and Santa are a part of the Yule time and it may be easy to get absorbed in little things and miss the whole point of Christmas.

Like the holiday wreath, the circle of unbroken love that God surrounds us with each day is something that we can rely on anytime. He won’t let us go too far out before he pulls us back in where we belong. He is there for us in any situation or circumstance. He carries us when we are weak and he walks along side of us when we are strong. He leads often and asks us to follow. Asking God in prayer how He wants us to honor Him in our homes and hearts this holiday and the New Year ahead is the beginning of shining the light back on Him and His Son this Christmas. Setting up a tabletop nativity scene, blessing the holiday meal, reading about the birth of Jesus to young and old are all things we can start with. Making it a more meaningful, spiritual Christmas will cause us to come closer to Him and He will come closer to us.

Winter

Winter



Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
December 01, 2010

…for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. – Hebrews 4:10 NIV

Winter will make its arrival on the 22nd of this month, but on some days it feels like it has come early. Cold fronts come through with strong winds that ruffle the water, bend the sea oats and cause the gulls to tuck their heads down into their chest. Summer clothes get pushed to the far side of the closet and long sleeves shirts and bulky sweaters replace them. There are some people that even leave the beach during winter for warmer climates in the south. Seems everything takes a break. Grasses and flowers go dormant, birds hunker down in their nests, and blowing sand covers steps and walkways to the beach. At first glance, it can be considered a dreary time, but I don’t see it that way at all.

Winter is a time to replenish, renew and rest. It is a time to appreciate the beach, too. While nature takes a nap, we can still walk the beach or walk to the end of a pier and feel the wind at sunrise. A hot cup of coffee or cocoa warms the spirit anytime. Reading a book by the fire wrapped in a warm throw can keep the mind active. Seafood chowder and buttery cornbread tastes like a feast for dinner on a cold evening. There is something to do each day.

Winter can be a solitary time and that is good for our spirit to be by ourselves with little distraction. God is always there but in the quiet moments of life, we tend to hear Him more clearly. He drops in ideas and thoughts to our minds and hearts. We have all winter for them to take root on the inside of us. Winter is the time to plan the garden of our life, for spring will be here soon enough and we must cultivate our hopes and dreams so they can grow into full harvest. These cold days are times to actively seek God’s Presence and His Voice for our life. He is our Counselor in all things. Entering into God’s Rest prepares us to receive what He has for us next.