avatar
Lane Jordan
avatarLane Jordan3 min read  

Preparing for the Holidays! – Pathways to Organization

As I write this article, there are only three weeks before Thanksgiving and seven before Christmas.  For most of us, we can feel our blood pressure skyrocketing as we think of what is ahead of us.

So I want to give you some encouragement.  First, take a deep breath (Dr. Oz recommends this and it’s proven scientifically that a deep breath held for six seconds and then released slowly for six seconds will immediately reduce one’s stress)!

Next, begin making plans now:  As to where you and your family will want to spend the holidays, whether you should have a home-cooked meal or go out and any travel plans you may need to make.  I strongly advise asking your family because many times, we put undo expectations on ourselves when in reality, your family might want something totally different than you were planning.

If you are having out-of-town company who will be staying in your home, begin preparing their rooms now so that you will have the time to get everything you need.  Survey the room as if seeing it for the first time and look at it as if you would be staying there.  Is there an alarm clock, plenty of fresh towels, room in the closet for their clothes and perhaps a luggage rack, magazines or books they may want to read and perhaps some bottled water, hand lotion, and shampoo?

Review your pantry, refrigerator and freezer and begin clearing out or reorganizing so that you will have the room for the extra food that will be bought.

Set down dates on your calendar and your to-do list for when you will grocery shop, cook, and the times you will start setting the table(s) and decorating.  I decorate for both holidays so I need to know when I will have the time to get this done.

I also encourage doing less than more.  If you are overwhelmed this year, remember that you don’t have to decorate the whole house nor is there a law saying you have to cook the whole holiday meal!  The main point I always stress when I am speaking on this subject is that memories are made when we are happy and feeling loved, not when the stress level in the home is too high. 

Let your life, at this time of year, overflow with thankfulness, gladness, joy and love for others. I promise you will really enjoy it all!

Manna from Heaven

 “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.  Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.  It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him; bless His name.  For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.”  Psalms 100:1-5

Post navigation

Give

Subscribe to the Daybreak Devotions for Women

Be inspired by God's Word every day! Delivered to your inbox.

More from Lane Jordan

  • avatarLane Jordan

    Time to Organize You! – Pathways to Organization

    By claiming Philippians 4:6-7 as a life verse: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” When we pray and have gratitude, we cannot be critical or sinful at the same time. It’s so pointless because God has such beautiful plans for all His children.James 3:14-16 says: For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” We need to manage burnout. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in god’s sight.” I also believe that God wants us to focus on our inner beauty as we get older.

    6 min read
  • avatarLane Jordan

    God Reverses the Curse – Pathways to Organization

    I pray that this week you will take time to be with the Lord with praise and great thanksgiving for taking away the sting of death and giving us new life! He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” 4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

    5 min read
  • avatarLane Jordan

    The Worth of Words – Pathways to Organization

    Here are some Bible verses about the power of words: Ephesians 4:29: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. A famous quote from Maya Angelou says, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Let’s celebrate the Love Month of February with words of love and kindness. Manna from Heaven I pray these verses will bless you as you speak to your loved ones: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

    4 min read
  • avatarLane Jordan

    New Devotional Out Now! Treasure – Pathways to Organization

    I had the joy of writing this alongside Lisa Burkhardt Worley and the Pearls of Promise Ministry Team and we believe each day’s devotion will inspire you in your walk with the Lord. Great for Christmas presents too! Treasure: A Pearls of Promise 52-Week Devotional Manna from Heaven I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

    2 min read
  • avatarLane Jordan

    For God to Heal our Nation – Pathways to Organization

    If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. In 2 Chronicles 7:19-22, God says, “But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and command I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. … Because they have forsaken the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them – that is why he brought all this disaster on them.” God means business when we worship ourselves and reject His Word.

    3 min read
See all from Lane Jordan

Editor's Picks

avatar

Lane Jordan

More from Lane Jordan

  • avatarLane Jordan

    Time to Organize You! – Pathways to Organization

    By claiming Philippians 4:6-7 as a life verse: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” When we pray and have gratitude, we cannot be critical or sinful at the same time. It’s so pointless because God has such beautiful plans for all His children.James 3:14-16 says: For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” We need to manage burnout. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in god’s sight.” I also believe that God wants us to focus on our inner beauty as we get older.

    6 min read
  • avatarLane Jordan

    God Reverses the Curse – Pathways to Organization

    I pray that this week you will take time to be with the Lord with praise and great thanksgiving for taking away the sting of death and giving us new life! He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” 4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

    5 min read
  • avatarLane Jordan

    The Worth of Words – Pathways to Organization

    Here are some Bible verses about the power of words: Ephesians 4:29: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. A famous quote from Maya Angelou says, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Let’s celebrate the Love Month of February with words of love and kindness. Manna from Heaven I pray these verses will bless you as you speak to your loved ones: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

    4 min read
  • avatarLane Jordan

    New Devotional Out Now! Treasure – Pathways to Organization

    I had the joy of writing this alongside Lisa Burkhardt Worley and the Pearls of Promise Ministry Team and we believe each day’s devotion will inspire you in your walk with the Lord. Great for Christmas presents too! Treasure: A Pearls of Promise 52-Week Devotional Manna from Heaven I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

    2 min read
  • avatarLane Jordan

    For God to Heal our Nation – Pathways to Organization

    If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. In 2 Chronicles 7:19-22, God says, “But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and command I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. … Because they have forsaken the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them – that is why he brought all this disaster on them.” God means business when we worship ourselves and reject His Word.

    3 min read
See all from Lane Jordan