and makes her own fruitcake.
***
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I’m not a “Proverbs 31 Holiday Woman”. Are you?
In this woman’s shadow, I feel weak, inept, and overwhelmed. She leaves me crying out for help.
Isn’t that exactly how we are supposed to feel when faced with perfection?
And isn’t that the point of the law? The law was designed to point us to our weakness and leave us crying out for rescue. Those tablets that God handed to Moses were supposed to be too heavy; never meant to have the last word.
I read this list (with the one in the Bible) and the only appropriate response is to stoop low and surrender. It’s when I read and think for a second that I can become her on my own… then I’m in real danger.
Yes, this season is crazy busy. Yes, we must simplify and resist buying into the rat race…
But no matter how often I preach that to myself, the list remains too long. The pressure is still paralyzing. The demands are still overwhelming.
Maybe that’s a good thing…
God uses the craziness of this season to prepare me to meet Jesus; humbling me so that a mother can be willing to bend her knee before a baby in a manger; so that a wife can know selfless and unconditional love, so that an unworthy daughter can accept forgiveness and hope.
Just maybe, He’s allowing it to be piled on so that we will finally come to the end of ourselves; so that we’ll have nothing to offer but empty hands; ready to receive Grace wrapped in swaddling cloths.
So go ahead, embrace the season, jump into the holly-ring of fire.. and fall short. Get burned. Stumble down the lists that remind you of your need for a Rescuer.
It just might be the best Christmas preparation ever.
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Stooping For Manna 
Hi! Just stopping by from the Missional Women site. Great perspective in the post! Thanks for the great reminder! Keep writing from your heart!
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I absolutely love the thought that just maybe all the crazy that comes with this time of year is in essence God’s way of bringing me to the end of myself (because that’s definitely where it usually leaves me). This is the best reminder that it’s all about Him and none about me. Love this, Karen! You always put it perfect. xoxo
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Such a wonderful and creative reminder to keep Jesus at the forefront of our minds and hearts as we begin to prepare for the Christmas season.
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Terry, thank you for reading, and have a great Christmas!
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Meredith- I so appreciate your feedback and your encouraging words. God is using it all to ready us and to reveal that He is our God. And Christmas is the perfect time! Thank you!
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Nicki- Thank you so much!
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BOOM!
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This is my favorite comment so far. 🙂
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It's always about coming to the end of ourselves, isn't it? What a lovely seeing that is! You're my neighbor over at the weekend.. So glad I stopped by! I actually wrote about Christmas too!
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Thank you for this Karen. I will never be the Proverbs 31 Holiday Woman. Thank you for reminding me I don't have to be! Looking forward to more stillness this year. Much love, friend.
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Oh, I am totally all for that last sentence. Loved this entire post. I was just telling hubby this morning that I'm ready to embrace this season!! Much love to you, Karen. xoxo
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Beautiful Karen! Stepping away from ourselves and embracing God will allow us to be a Proverbs 31 woman. Less of us and more of Him in all we do and less when it comes to the hustle and bustle and more of letting Jesus enter in to all our preparations. Blessed you joined in at The Weekend Brew!
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Hi Linky neighbor from The Weekend Brew. How fun to be next to you today. I love your Proverbs 31 Christmas. Very clever!
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Definitely not a Proverbs 31 Christmas woman! I'm definitely in need of a Rescuer! Thanks for the giggle and the thoughts :).
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I am far from the Proverbs 31 Woman and thankful for God's grace when I fall short. Thank for linking up with The Weekend Brew!
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