11/27/2023
The holidays are my greatest challenge, & favorite time of the year. The lights everywhere remind me that Jesus is the light & life of the world. I have had some difficult steps in Decembers in the past. Hearing I had stage 4 cancer and a median survival rate of 6 months, felt like a sucker punch. I am so grateful a dear friend was with me at that first appointment so when the MD said “you have cancer,” and I literally could not process anything else he said, that sweet friend was able to hear & help me get through that afternoon. I kept seeing my 14 month old baby & my 3 yr old in my mind & could not fathom them growing up without me. That broke me more than anything. I had to be reminded, “to everything there is a season and a purpose under heaven.” We don’t know the beginning from the end, but God does, so if we can endure the trials & trust God, His purpose will make sense in time.
Just seeing the lights everywhere during the holidays is a continuous reminder for me to look up- look at the lights, & be reminded & grateful there is a Creator of Heaven & Earth.
I love that people seem kinder one to another as the holidays approach, & I hope we can each take what we are blessed with & use it to help bless others.
I never dared to imagine being blessed to be here still, & I don’t understand why- I look back at how much I grieved over a future I was going to miss by not being here- & then the presence I have missed even while here, by being wrapped up in worry about when/where that other shoe might drop.
I missed the purpose of the miracle while being wrapped up in the fear.
The thing is, God is love, not fear. Love & fear cannot occupy the same space at the same time. This year, I chose love. Every time the uncertainties raise their obnoxious little selves, it is a conscious choice to trust God & let the rest roll on by. It can knock, but I don’t have to open up & let the fear stay. Wave as it goes on by. Pray! Dance it out. Paint, Craft. Doing something in a spirit of Love, not fear. Faith over fear. 💕
This season, I’m focused on being present with loved ones & friends. I hope that love & joy is reflected in the things I create to share with others & in turn, it helps you to share the love & joy as well.
Emerald Grace is excited to be gearing up for a pop up holiday boutique- Sunday Dec 10th, we’ll be part of the Simi Boutique Encore Crawl!
A portion of our holiday sales will be donated to support our local American Cancer Society to help encourage those who are fighting health challenges to keep hoping for a cure.💕
I’ll have Holiday Stocking Stuffers, Mix & Match Bath sets, darling hand spun seed bead anklet sets, hand crafted earrings, our festive ornaments, & stretch bracelet sets. Check out the Simi Crawl group page to see all of the posts from fellow vendors & enjoy the many one of a kind gift ideas! Thank you so much for supporting local small businesses💕
