Looking Out The Window: Andrea Chatelaine Talks About Her New Book, Intentional Holidays: 30 Reflections of Rest and Rejoicing And Shares A New Year's Devotional
A Warm Welcome to Andrea Chatelaine
Andrea Brings Us A Book For Holidays And A Devotional for New Year's
Intentional Holidays: 30 Days of Rest and Rejoicing
This holiday season, God invites us to slow down our hustle, to trade striving and performing for resting and rejoicing. In our Photoshopped, Instagram, hyper-publicized culture, it feels like the bar is always rising. Not only must we create that memorable Thanksgiving meal, but it also must look Pinterest-worthy when we’re done! But Immanuel—God with us—is indeed with us in the middle of our dinner fails and celebrations.This holiday season, each morning, no matter how busy our day or frazzled our heart, God is drawing us near so that we can live filled. We can experience peace in the middle of our crazy through the Prince of Peace, our Savior, Immanuel.
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Resolutions Vs. Transformation
By Andrea Chatelain
It sounds more logical that if we alter our bodies or eating habits we’ll feel better about life. But I've tried all sorts of diets and none can repair the things that really matter...my marriage, my family, my sinful heart. Only Jesus.
Of course, take care of yourself. Make healthy choices and enjoy the life He gave you. But let's be honest, a beautiful body doesn't mean as much if the soul is still unhealthy. So if you're like I was, striving to live better, and still feeling less-than, there's only one way to abundant living-- surrender.
Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV).
I needed this to be true a few years ago. Life felt heavy and I needed Jesus to take my burdens in exchange for His peace. I was trying so hard to be a good mom, good wife, good everything and I felt like I came up short on all fronts. I was easily frustrated and felt like a failure most days. My attitude was a reflection of my constant effort to be a perfect version of myself that God never required me to be. But I found freedom when I stopped striving and started surrendering each day to Him and trusting His grace was sufficient.
If you've been laboring for a better version of you, stop. Come to Jesus, learn from Him, and take a break from trying to be perfect.
That's what I'm going to do this New Year. I'm trusting God to transform me one day at a time as I spend time with Him in prayer, learn by reading truth in my Bible, and follow where He leads my choices and life. It's not an overnight fix, it's a new way to live that takes some humility and patience.
The good news? Jesus doesn't require anything but your trust. You don't have to be awesome. You don't have to try to be anything, because you are already His. You are loved and valued by the Savior of the world and that is enough. He has a purpose for you if you put down your striving and dare to follow.
So yes, do some yoga next year and eat more veggies, but that's not what will change us to the core. Let’s start the New Year securely, knowing that we don’t have to renovate ourselves. When we come near to Christ, He will lead us to real transformation inside and out.
Bio
Andrea Chatelain’s mission is to meet women in their struggles and love them forward with God’s truth. She’s a Midwest mom of three, faith and family writer at www.Glory-Be.org, writer/speaker for WhollyLoved Ministries, and college English instructor to immigrants and refugees. She loves connecting with women to remind them they can find everything they need in Jesus.
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