Some days are harder than others. The memories come flooding back of happier days and loved ones that are no longer present with us on earth. Nothing goes the way you want or plan. You're late to work. You wake up late. You get frustrated and angry over the littlest things. Your finances are out of control. The car has a flat. You don't want to talk it out to anyone. No one could understand. You're hurt. You're angry. You're grieving. You're sad. You just aren't happy. You're trudging through the day, and it's rough. Some days, there's no answer to why you're having a 'bad day'. You just are. Things just aren't right. Nothing you do seems to be right. You can't lose that weight. You can't finish what you started. And those failures? They're daunting! They stare you in the face and they're always there. You didn't meet your goal. You weren't even close. You were almost there. It doesn't matter - you failed. Your co-workers are grinding on your nerves. Your friends are no where to be found. You feel alone. Lost. Scared.
Everyone experiences hardship and pain. It's a natural part of life. I've had my share of downs in this life, and I'm a stronger person because of it. I've learned {the hard way I think} that what makes you a better person is how you react to the troubles of life. Am I going to drown in my sorrow and feel sorry for myself day in and day out? Who cares anyway? Am I going to allow my unhappiness to get the better of me and bring me down further?
Today, the answer is no. Let me just say that again: NO. Man, that feels good! There was a day {or two, or ten...who's counting?} that I would've said yes. That it didn't matter how I reacted - I could feel sorry for myself if that's what I truly wanted. Of course I had family and friends that did care about me {and still do...love y'all!}, but there's only so much someone else can do for you. After all, they have their own struggles to sort through and figure out. And on those days, I was truly miserable. I didn't want to do anything but lay in bed and watch TV. Those fictional characters were my way to ignore the pain and the hurt in my own life.
So, what do you do when there's no one there and you refuse to drown in sadness and pain?
I turn to God.
My faith has been blossoming over this past year or so, and I couldn't be happier! I know that I have a way to go, but I'm on the right track, and that's what matters most!
Now, when I'm having a not-so-good day, I remind myself that I am unbelievably blessed. I have a healthy marriage with my best friend; I have the most amazing family who always supports me and gets closer and stronger every day; we can afford to pay our expenses; I not only have one job, I have two. The list seriously goes on and on. God has truly blessed me with so much, and I know that I am undeserving, but I'm unbelievably thankful.
And today, when I feel defeated and lost, I look to God. I look to Him for support, encouragement, motivation, and healing. He has a plan for my life, and I look to Him for guidance through the dark moments along the way.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
-John 16:33
God didn't promise us that life would be easy, but he promised that our suffering would pale in comparison to what He has in store for His followers.
And then I came across a song: I Look to You by Selah.
It speaks straight to my heart, and I just wanted to share :). I'm striving to truly let go and let God. He has all of the answers, and that truly makes my heart soar.
Now, it's no surprise that I love, love, LOVE Christmas. Seriously - every single thing about it! One of my favorites, though, is Christmas movies! From Lifetime movies to the 25 Days of Christmas on ABCFamily, to movies on Netflix - I'm a lover of all things Christmas movies! And yes, I'm well aware that Christmas has been over for almost two weeks now, but I have still been watching Christmas movies that I recorded. There's just not enough time in the day to get them all watched right at Christmas! So, without further adieu, here are the Christmas movies that I saw and loved this year, whether they be first-timers for me or traditional watches.
A Christmas Proposal
Two lawyers dueling over a proposal to turn a quaint mountain town into a ski resort are former childhood sweethearts. Lisa is fighting to protect Fillmore and big-city attorney Rick represents the developer who wants to plow down part of the town. When car troubles force Rick to stick around a few extra days, the small town and his former beloved begin to work their magic on him.
This movie is one I've seen every year for the past few years on LMN {that's Lifetime Movie Network for those of you that aren't familiar}. I love the small-town feeling in this movie, and it always reminds me of home!
Saving Santa
A lowly stable elf finds that he is the only one who can stop an invasion of the North Pole by using the secret of Santa's sleigh, a TimeGlobe, to travel back in time to save Santa - twice.
This is a movie that I found perusing Netflix one night and watched with my hubby while it was freezing outside. It made for a few laughs and a great lazy Saturday night in! Per IMDB, it was newly released this year.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
The Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.
Okay, so I jumped on the National Lampoon's bandwagon this year! I've seen this movie on many Christmas-lover's movie lists, so I vowed to finally watch it this year {that's right, I was unfamiliar with the Griswold family prior to this movie this year!}. So, the Saturday after Thanksgiving while at Colten's grandparents' house, we watched it on Netflix, and it was hilarious! I'm so glad that I've finally seen this movie! Definitely a must-see for the entire family!
Twelve Trees of Christmas
Cheri Jamison rallies the residents of her beloved Manhattan neighborhood to participate in a Christmas tree contest when her cherished local library is abruptly set for demolition. Cheri finds herself up against an ambitious developer, Tony Shaughnessy.
This is a new movie on LMN, and I'm so glad that I recorded this one! It revolves entirely around an old, neighborhood library and the joys it brings to not only the employees, but the children and their families as well. As an avid reader myself, I truly enjoyed this film! It's a must for all book lovers alike! Heck, even if you don't love to read, it's still a great story.
The Santa Clause
When a man inadvertently kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.
This one is a classic! I watch it every year, and this year enjoyed it with my husband. I laugh and really get into this movie every single time! It was first released in 2004, and I'm pretty sure I've been in love with it ever since. If you're looking for a good, fun, family Christmas movie - this one's for you! It's hilarious and very well done. Who doesn't want a glimpse inside of the North Pole at Christmastime?
The Santa Clause 2
Scott Calvin has been a humble Santa for nearly ten years, but it might come to an end if he doesn't find a Mrs. Clause.
This one is up there, right behind The Santa Clause {duh}. I love the addition of Scott's niece and her joy and love for Christmas! I also am fond of the fact that you really get to see Santa still being a father to Charlie, through all of his problems at school. I know it's what ultimately leads him to the Mrs, but it's nice to see the 'family' aspect of the movie as well as the Christmas one. If you're watching the first film, you might as well settle in for The Santa Clause 2 as well!
The Mistle-Tones
Holly, blessed with an amazing singing voice, is all set to audition for the newly vacated spot in a legendary local Christmas group which was founded by her late mother years ago. Shocked and upset when the spot goes to the barely talented best friend of the group's leader, Marci, Holly sets out to create her own musical group, the Mistle-Tones. Holly finds herself on a journey to the real meaning of Christmas with some new friends and a new love thrown in for good measure.
This movie is becoming a favorite of mine! It first released on ABC Family in 2012, and I just love it! It's a competitive movie about the love of Christmas and singing carols, with a love interest thrown in the mix. It's a great movie that reminds you of the true meaning of Christmas! A great flick for the whole family!
Christmas on the Bayou
When successful New York marketing executive Katherine discovers her workaholic ways are taking a toll on her eight-year-old son, Zac, she decides to spend Christmas with him and her mother, Lilly, in her home town on the bayou. When Caleb tries to rekindle a childhood romance and convince her to move back home, Katherine is torn between the bright lights of the big city and the quiet, gentler rhythms of her Southern roots. Only a Christmas miracle orchestrated by Papa Noel can steer her heart to her true home.
This is a newly released movie on Lifetime. It's such an amazing story of a family trying to survive post-divorce at Christmas. Being a southern girl myself, it was refreshing to watch a truly Southern Christmas movie and just fall in love with the small hometown community on the bayou. And the Christmas parade was out of this world! I loved this movie!!
The Holiday
Two women troubled with guy problems swap homes in each other's countries, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love.
I may be biased on this one, seeing as when I first moved out of my parents' house, I didn't have cable and didn't own any DVD's other than this movie, so I watched it on repeat for weeks and weeks before I finally got cable hooked up. With that being said, this is my all-time favorite movie ever! I love the humor, the romances, the homey feel of England with the large city life of L.A. It's just a great mix all the way around! Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz killed it! It also doesn't hurt to get to stare at Jude Law...just sayin'. :)
So, there you have it! Christmas movie watchin' is officially over in our home, as sad as it makes me. But I absolutely loved these movies this past Christmas, and I can't wait to see what next Christmas brings! :) What are some of your go-to Christmas movies?
