The Landmark Christmas Snowcone

Posted on by happygomisty

As we were driving home on Sunday, our kids spotted a Bahama Buck’s snowcone shop. We told them that snowcone places weren’t opened in the winter–only to realize that Bahama Buck’s had a sign up displaying their seasonal Christmas flavors: Christmas Tree, Santa, and Candy Cane. Only in America, guys! Only in America! We all chuckled about this, and then, what did we do? We stopped in to get the kids a special Christmas snowcone. Why not?

No matter whether we are working in America to return home or in our home overseas, we have determined to make beautiful memories all along the path that God has laid out before us.

Our hope is that no matter where we are in our life journeys, our kids always remember how good God has been every step of the way. Joe and I believe that if we make land-mark memories with our children, moments where we pause to process and talk about the faithfulness of our God, they will never forget that every good gift along the path was given by our loving God, and may they always recognize and live out the fact that God doesn’t just provide, He gives gifts that reflect His character. He is a loving, LOVING God. As a matter of fact, I John 4:8 doesn’t just state that God loves us; it states God IS love. Did you catch that?

Our view of “love” doesn’t define what love is, and then our tainted view of love determine if someone is loving. HIS character wrote the definition of “love.” He IS love, and everything that comes from Him reflects His character.

So today, pause, reflect, and make a land-mark memory of how much God has done in your life, how much He has provided for you, and every gift He has given you. Sometimes we can get so busy in life that we forget to take inventory of ALL of God’ s faithfulness to us, so if you’re struggling with this–maybe feeling like God’s been neglecting you in the gifts department–let me encourage you, for a moment, to overlook what you feel like God has NOT given you. We tend to stay focused on the “NOT HAVES” all too often, and the more we focus on the “not haves,” the more we will focus on the things we do not have.

But, instead, if we make a list of things that God HAS given us, then we will begin to see MORE that God has given us. For example, if you are having health problems, then praise God for loved ones who are dear to you. If you are having financial problems, praise God that He has kept you healthy. If you seem to be struggling in your health and finances, praise God for no mental issues. If you’re struggling with mental issues, praise God for good circulation. FIND SOMETHING that you have that is good–a working heater to keep you warm,…a good mailman who faithfully delivers your mail, a calm evening,…oxygen in your lungs, eyes that work correctly,…for a peaceful moment to just sip a glass of tea,…

You can ALWAYS find something for which to praise God. The more you find to praise Him for, the MORE you WILL find to praise God for. That may sound like a funny tongue-twister, but there is so much truth in it, and did you catch the truth in it? Gratefulness promotes gratefulness. A grateful heart becomes a joyful heart, and the joy that the Lord gives is our strength. Joy also leads to peace, and peace promotes a healthy body. Do you see the pattern?

Train your mind to FIND something to be grateful for and  praise God for it with everything within you. Truly find your thankfulness voice this Christmas season, and teach this to your children as well. This will become the greatest gift you could ever leave behind.

So, whether over a Christmas snowcone😂, a hot cocoa, or just a glass of water, pause for a moment, reflect, and find your gratefulness voice. Then, praise the One from whom ALL blessings flow. In that moment with Him, you will find there is still Peace on Earth, and you will experience He is still Emmanuel, God with us.

‭‭James‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬
Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Nehemiah 8:10—”Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

I John 4:7-8
Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Proverbs 14:30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer to the bones.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

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Published by happygomisty

I have never been normal! I was born the middle of three girls in a southern family in Texas. My older sister graduated as the valedictorian of her class. My younger sister read Shakespeare by the age of eight. Me? I got sent home from school with a note from my principal. Apparently, it's frowned upon when you slide your legs into your coat sleeves and walk around the classroom during state testing. But who could have possibly known that at that exact moment I was actually an astronaut exploring a new planet in my trusty NASA suit. I must confess that my A.D.D. has, by far, gotten me into more trouble than anything else, but it has also been one of the greatest blessings that God has ever given me. I know that right about now you are rolling your eyes. How, you're questioning, right? Well, herein lies my answer: My mind has created some of the most fantastical stories out of the most everyday random objects: a fork with ketchup stuck to it has become a pirate's sword with it's victim's blood as the remnant to tell the tale, a curtain wiggled by the a/c has become a sail whipping against the mast erected on a pile of floating debris carrying me to an abandoned island after an insurmountable shipwreck. I guess I've always been a writer at heart, but it wasn't until my own children glued in wonder to my tales that I realized this A.D.D. struggle is actually a gift from God. Maybe there are others out that that would love to just be able to escape in their minds with me. So, here's my blog! Come and join me in the drive, the ride, the cruise, the terror, the adventure, the romance. Come and join me in my escape of Misty's Adventures in Wanderland. (Misty is a full-time wife to Mr. Brown Eyes, the love of her life, and mom to three of the coolest kids ever. She is a writer, an ordained minister, and the co-founder of missionjosiah.org. She LOVES Jesus, and she dedicates her life to serving Him because He came to her rescue when she felt she wasn't worth saving. Now, her life's goal is to teach everyone about Him, so they can experience the joy, hope, and freedom--the new life He brings.)