A Holy Hustle Holiday Series

Somewhere between October 30th and November 1st, the stores in our town had a bit of an identity crisis. The Halloween decorations and costumes were still out, but shoved together in smaller aisles to make room for a few small fall decorations and massive displays of Christmas trees, lights, gift wrap, and lawn ornaments.

And after hearing from so many of you over the past week, I think our hearts are feeling more than little bit of that identity crisis as well. When it comes to the last two months of the year, how do we embrace each season, emotion, gathering, and holiday as it comes without zooming past it to get to the next thing on our list? We’re barely done with our carved pumpkins on our front porches and now we’re not sure if we should prepare for Thanksgiving or start buying Christmas gifts, and those desires of our hearts to focus on the Advent season, gratitude, and giving are lost in the must-do, should-do, and always-do lists of the season.

So how do we make November an intentional season of setting our hearts up to focus on gratitude and giving – holy hustle style? Over the next few weeks we’ll explore some of the most common struggles that were shared so bravely with me and we’ll work through some ideas together about what it might look like to celebrate the holidays in a way that honors God, our families, our traditions, and our personality styles so we can gather without guilt and celebrate without shame.

Today, I challenge you to do two things. 

1. Say “no” to something you feel like you “should” do – like participating in a daily Instagram gratitude challenge, or making cute handmade turkey themed crafts with your kids. If it’s making you feel stressed and anxious, pull an Elsa and LET IT GO.
2. Thank God for one thing today, sometime before you go to bed. Just between you and God, not to put it out publicly, but as a quick,whispered, one-sentence prayer. “God, today I’m thankful for…”

Gals – today I’m thankful for YOU.