Today was a beautiful day of overcast clouds gathered in cigar smoke grays. After sunset the sky was a canvas of deep purples, so beautiful in their different watercolored brush strokes. I missed the pageant of sunset but I know it was glorious.

Picked up Penelope this morning from middle brother’s vet clinic. She’s jealous of me and the grandchildren so she had been at vet brother’s spa since Friday morning. It’s just easier all around to board her. My oldest son and his family and their dog Magnolia were here this weekend. I wonder what Penelope thinks when she smells Magnolia’s scents on her bed in the lady den. Penelope was happy to be home and Kat was glad to see her. Churchill didn’t pay her any attention. Penelope did her crumb search soon as she got in the house. She knows when you have a dinner party there’s bound to be a few crumbs.

Got my water heater repaired today. Was reasonable… but my legs are killing me from walking down the basement stairs and the driveway several times. Had to walk down the obstacle course steps to unlock the basement door. Lost the basement keys when Chief died. Got an estimate on getting new steps today. Slowly but surely I’m getting The Gran, as I all call my home, gussied up. My mother’s grandchildren called my mother Gran and still call the house Gran’s so I named my house The Gran. She’s a work in progress. She’s all dressed up in her Christmas finery now and has never been more beautiful. Her orchid walls just lend themselves to Christmas.

God sees our homes as places built with wisdom and filled with love and peace. Scripture in Proverbs tells us, “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Our “rare and beautiful treasures” are not physical objects but the love and the gracious hospitality we extend to guests and family and friends who enter our homes.

Bible scripture says our homes should be places where love is found and where strangers feel welcome. Joshua 24:15 states, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” For those who are believers, God’s home is in our hearts constructed through our faith, our bodies temples of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 3:17 tells us “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…being rooted and established in love.” Our faith builds a strong foundation, like a tree putting down roots, our lives strong with our understanding of God’s grace.

As we prepare for our Christmas celebrations let’s give thanks to God for our beautiful world. As we exchange gifts and enjoy family dinners we are creating memories that will become cherished as we age. Let us remember Christmas is about the birth of God’s son, Jesus, who came to give us love, hope, peace and joy.

“Jesus loves us this I know!”

“Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another, to show love and to do good.” — Hebrew’s 10:24