Deep Breathing for the Soul

What a week. I love to cook, so this holiday, for me, is all about the food, not the shopping. So I cooked all day Wednesday and half of Thursday, and then we ate leftovers Friday through Sunday. I still have some pretty good turkey soup left! And of course, this weekend is about gratitude, even in the face of some challenges.  

It bugged me a bit that there was so much emphasis, even on the news, this holiday weekend, about shopping. Somehow Thanksgiving has morphed from a day of thankfulness to a day to spend money on stuff we really don’t need. I’m not trying to be grumpy. I appreciate that rather than buying stuff for themselves, people are at least buying things for others—they are giving gifts. And while I refuse to get up early to shop on “black Friday,” I did do some shopping late Friday afternoon and on Saturday. But even as I am buying sweaters for people I love, I know they really don’t need another sweater. My friends know I am gift-giving challenged, and hopefully they will give me a bit of credit for at least trying.

Now that my kids are teenagers, I can pretty much avoid the toy aisle at Target. But I ventured into that section anyway, as I wanted to get some toys for the Breakthrough Urban Ministries Christmas Store. The annual Christmas Store is is a great way to help inner-city under-resourced families. Rather than just receiving a handout or gifts, families living in Breakthrough’s neighborhood (East Garfield Park in Chicago) can come to the center where the “store” will be set up on Dec. 19. They can buy items for a reduced price using regular money or “Breakthrough Bucks” they’ve earned through ministry activities throughout the year. 

What an empowering way to help those less fortunate!

In addition to collecting donations from neighbors and doing some shopping myself, I’m taking a group of neighbors down to Breakthrough’s ministry center on Dec. 19 to volunteer at the store.

If you live in the Chicago area, you might consider donating gifts or even offering your time to this very cool Christmas event. Or, pick another charity—Samaritan’s Purse is an international organization whose Operation Christmas Child provides gift boxes for children across the globe. Project Angel Tree collects gifts for children of people in prison.

As the holiday shopping season begins, consider buying a gift for someone who’s not on your list, but could use a bit of hope this Christmas season.

Oh, and with all the holiday cooking etc. I didn’t get a chance to blog about the winners of the book drawing.

So our winners are Erika S., Sherri D., Sheri, Kelly J. and Susan M. Congratulations! If you didn’t win this time, keep checking this blog for other book giveaways!

Those of you who heard me on Midday Connection yesterday (Moody Radio) and wrote in asking about the free books:  you’ve been entered in our drawing to win a copy of Simple Compassion.

I always love visting with Anita and Melinda, the amazing women behind the Midday Connection show. They are wise and kind, and always make me feel welcome at the studio.

I also mentioned briefly on the show that I will be partnering with Breakthrough Urban Ministries to put on a one-day Simple Compassion workshop on February 20. Mark your calendars now! this practical, hands on workshop will include teaching from me, group discussion (facilitated by amazing women) and some time for thought-provoking reflection. We will discuss simple next steps that you can take right away to live out God’s directive in Micah 6:8: to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.

If you have been wondering how to implement compassion and justice in your life, I think you’ll really enjoy this workshop. Registration details will be available soon–and each person who attends will receive a free copy of Simple Compassion, compliments of Zondervan Publishing.

We’ll announce  the winners of the free books on Friday of this week. But meanwhile, have a joyful Thanksgiving!!

Are you feeling thankful yet? Or just busy?

I’m juggling work, deadlines, and planning dinner for 12 people (five of whom are new to the country, strangers to us, and may not speak much English). I’m an over-planner, trying to figure out exact timetables to get the turkey, potatoes, veggies and stuffing all on the table at the same time, since I”m doing the shopping and cooking for this meal by myself! I’ve actually written out a schedule for the day!

I do love to plan, but I find that if I over-plan, I tend to lose my joy. I never want to forget that holidays are holy days, and this holy day is about gratitude! If you need some perspective on that idea, click here to read my latest “For Your Soul” column at christianitytoday.com

Also, I just wanted to let you know that I will be a guest on Midday Connection, a great radio program on Moody Radio, tomorrow. The show airs on 90.1 FM in Chicago from noon to 1 p.m. You can also tune in on-line at  http://www.moodyradio.org/middayconnection.aspx

I’m going to be talking about making a difference right where you are, as host Anita Lustrea and I talk about my new book, Simple Compassion. I’m bringing a couple of copies of Simple Compassion to give away on the show. And check back at this blog on Wednesday. If you listen to the show I’ll tell you how to get another chance to win a free book here on the blog.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A big thank you to all of your who responded to the free book offer in my Connecting newsletter. Zondervan is generously sending out review copies to the first 25 responders, and they should be receiving their books soon.
For those of you who missed out on that give-away, you can read the introduction and first three chapters for FREE online by clicking here. I’d love to have you take a look and tell me what you think. And please forward the link to the free chapters to your friends.