Holiday season is here once again. It is the time of year where life never seems to slow down. The time of year where you are continually buying things. Whether you’re buying food for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas presents, or donating to the charity you support every year - you’re still spending money. Sister, it doesn’t have to be stressful. Stop and think for a second...what is this season all about? What are the holidays truly about? Dig deep down and just ponder on some of your favorite memories from past Christmases and Thanksgivings. 

I bet none of those memories include the time you received that iPod for Christmas or the sweater you wanted for so long that you can’t even remember asking for it. I also bet none of those memories include the long hours you traveled to spend time with the ones you love. However, I do imagine that those memories include an inside joke that happened that year, a tradition your family has had since you can remember, or even just a specific conversation you’ll never forget. 

As I get older, my favorite thing about the holidays is simply just being with my family. At some point it doesn’t even matter what we’re doing as long as we are together. There are so many traditions my family still carries today and some we are unable to continue. When I was a little girl I would spend an entire day baking cookies and treats with my Grandma Kay who I actually called Grandma Pockets, that’s a story for another post. Grandma Kay and I would use her entire kitchen plus two card tables just to lay the cookies out to cool. We would bake dozens of cookies together. Flavors would include anything from good ‘ole chocolate chip to devil’s food with peanut butter chips to pretzel rods with almond bark and sprinkles. This day was always so magical for me. Unfortunately, I only experienced around 8 years of that because she went to see Jesus when I was in the 8th grade. This tradition is so special to me. I hope you have a tradition like this. I hope you have some experience you look forward to every year around the holidays whether it be with your friends of your family. 

Family isn’t always blood related. Family doesn’t have to be blood related. You can have a family outside of your blood relatives. God brings all kinds of people into our lives for very specific reasons. Let those people in. Mark 10:9 says, “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” See, God will join you with people. He joins you with your family: chosen and not chosen. Who are you going to spend time with this holiday season? Who do you need to make a priority? Instead of stressing of what you have to purchase or accomplish, join me in making it a point to spend quality and uninterrupted time with the people God blessed us with. 

My husband and I are so thankful that we have families that we truly enjoy spending time with. We are also incredibly grateful that we have friends who we consider family. If you don’t have those people in your life, I’m praying for you. I pray that you find people to connect with. I pray that you find people who you genuinely just want to spend time with, because that’s what it’s all about. The holiday season isn’t about what gift you open next, it’s not about who makes the best Thanksgiving spread, but it is about spending quality time with those people God has given you. 

This season I hope you rest with the people you love most. I hope you slow down. I hope you remember what it’s all about. 

Xoxo, 

Rachel Marie