Ten Practical Steps to Bring Hope to Your Holidays

  1.  Be careful about focusing on yourself.

  2.  Reach out to help others.
       a. Practice hospitality.
       b. Donate time to charity.
       c. Give gifts of yourself - crafting, cleaning, cooking, babysitting.

  3.  Get physical exercise. Be realistic - 20 minutes, 3 times a week.

  4.  Eat, drink, rest properly. "Be sober..." (1 Peter 5: 8-10) This means without the influence of an intoxicant.

  5.  Read your Bible and meditate every day.

  6.  Live one day at a time.
       a. Set goals for today - attainable ones.
       b. You only have today - don't throw it away grieving over yesterday or worrying about tomorrow.
           (Matthew 6:25-34)

  7.  Make good plans and accept invitations. "God sets the lonely in families." (Psalm 68:6)

  8.  Write letters, send some cards, read some books, etc.

  9.  Stay connected.

10.  Go to church. "In the presence of Jehovah."  "God inhabits the praises of His people." (Psalms 22:3)

The angel said, "Get dressed. Put on your shoes." Peter did it. (Acts 12:8, The Message) God will do for us, but He expects us to do what we can for ourselves.
                       
                          Adapted from a message by First Assembly of God Women's Ministries, Fort Myers, FL