The Most Festive Evening

It was a big weekend around here! On Saturday night I spoke to a group of women at Pine Grove Baptist Church in Hickory Flat, MS. It was their annual Christmas dinner and it was a BEAUTIFUL event. Each table was sponsored by a different woman and let me tell you-the ladies in Hickory Flat know how to set a table. The men served the food and they took their job very seriously. I can't begin to say enough about how friendly and kind everyone was. It was altogether the most Christmasy night you can imagine and I was so honored to be a part of such a special evening.

I spoke about about how the holidays can be a stressful time-pressure to create holiday magic, busy schedules, gifts to buy, feeling like we need to be multiple places at once-and how we can enjoy Christmas activities while still keeping our focus on celebrating the hope we have in Christ.

Did you know it is difficult to look normal in pictures in which you are speaking to a large group of people? At least for me it is. Sometimes I see pictures of people speaking and they look very Spiritual and Wise. I will settle for looking relatively normal.

Sometimes people ask things like "How do you do that?" when I finish speaking. And honestly, it's not me at all. When I think about the reality of it, it's as scary to me as it would be to any person. I get very nervous before I go on. But I do my best to depend on God and trust that He will show up, because if I try to do it on my own I'm quite sure I'm doomed. But the amazing thing is that He always does show up-He's never left me alone yet. Somehow I'm able to be totally calm and I know what to say. It's a miracle, really. I can't understand why He would choose to speak through a person like me-but I'm so thankful that He does. And I'm so thankful that He always meets us where He has put us.

"Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." Ephesians 6:19-20

And the biggest thanks to the two best sidekicks of all time. They made what could have been a nerve wracking day the most fun. And please do ignore the words "Ole Miss" behind us on the wall. Because Oxford is SO cute and fun, but I will #hailstate forever.

I hope your holiday season has gotten off to the very best start!

Whitney