[null, null, {"document_url": "https://pursuingheart.blogspot.com/2011/11/gift-above-all-gifts.html", "unformatted_src": "//2.bp.blogspot.com/-RYr3EJYjs_I/TtVA8xWIFQI/AAAAAAAABl0/wcBNQ10eFSU/s640/IMG_6392.JPG", "src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RYr3EJYjs_I/TtVA8xWIFQI/AAAAAAAABl0/wcBNQ10eFSU/s640/IMG_6392.JPG", "formatted_filename": "IMG", "rendered_width": 640, "rendered_height": 480}, null, {"document_url": "https://pursuingheart.blogspot.com/2011/11/gift-above-all-gifts.html", "unformatted_src": "//1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbEvbOmUukk/TtWibaJUWAI/AAAAAAAABmM/gbv3PKxCIzs/s320/tuesdays-unwrapped-winter-2011.jpg", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbEvbOmUukk/TtWibaJUWAI/AAAAAAAABmM/gbv3PKxCIzs/s320/tuesdays-unwrapped-winter-2011.jpg", "formatted_filename": "tuesdays unwrapped winter", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 99}, {"document_url": "https://pursuingheart.blogspot.com/2011/11/gift-above-all-gifts.html", "unformatted_src": "//3.bp.blogspot.com/-HlJReiK4POs/TsPl1jrzRcI/AAAAAAAABcc/oTcvyZziN4g/s320/walkwithhimwednesdays2-1.jpg", "src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HlJReiK4POs/TsPl1jrzRcI/AAAAAAAABcc/oTcvyZziN4g/s320/walkwithhimwednesdays2-1.jpg", "formatted_filename": "walkwithhimwednesdays", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 133}, null, null, null, {"document_url": "https://pursuingheart.blogspot.com/2011/11/gift-above-all-gifts.html", "unformatted_src": "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OS9VLN_LlDQ/WaQHLx-tihI/AAAAAAAALvc/7k8UjlYBDZMt1xqpU32i_J7JMPpFzVCoQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3539cropedit.jpg", "src": "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OS9VLN_LlDQ/WaQHLx-tihI/AAAAAAAALvc/7k8UjlYBDZMt1xqpU32i_J7JMPpFzVCoQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3539cropedit.jpg", "formatted_filename": "IMG cropedit"}, null, {"document_url": "https://pursuingheart.blogspot.com/2011/11/gift-above-all-gifts.html", "unformatted_src": "//4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDy8KCuOhgc/VkjeHNo16CI/AAAAAAAAKEI/HlunFSPjNRM/s80/Nov2015%25283%2529.jpg", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDy8KCuOhgc/VkjeHNo16CI/AAAAAAAAKEI/HlunFSPjNRM/s80/Nov2015%25283%2529.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Nov", "alt_text": "My photo", "rendered_width": 73, "rendered_height": 80}, null, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "https://pursuingheart.blogspot.com/2011/11/gift-above-all-gifts.html", "unformatted_src": "//4.bp.blogspot.com/-EF6fJGgcsyI/WdDrXDHhSHI/AAAAAAAAL18/GYAZbmnOUiQcysIRaInUvnaJTe4ReSeTwCK4BGAYYCw/s210/IMG_7054crop%2Bcopy.jpg", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EF6fJGgcsyI/WdDrXDHhSHI/AAAAAAAAL18/GYAZbmnOUiQcysIRaInUvnaJTe4ReSeTwCK4BGAYYCw/s210/IMG_7054crop%2Bcopy.jpg", "formatted_filename": "IMG crop Bcopy", "alt_text": "Quieting My Heart: Our Words", "rendered_width": 210, "rendered_height": 210}, null, {"document_url": "https://pursuingheart.blogspot.com/2011/11/gift-above-all-gifts.html", "unformatted_src": "//3.bp.blogspot.com/-7XRYb7upbBE/WdDquRVjXgI/AAAAAAAAL1w/WRVBRmNSUUIr-sWjNmPy9vvE0oSk0Vn1gCK4BGAYYCw/s210/IMG_4433cropedit.jpg", "src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7XRYb7upbBE/WdDquRVjXgI/AAAAAAAAL1w/WRVBRmNSUUIr-sWjNmPy9vvE0oSk0Vn1gCK4BGAYYCw/s210/IMG_4433cropedit.jpg", "formatted_filename": "IMG cropedit", "alt_text": "Pumpkin Spice Scones", "rendered_width": 210, "rendered_height": 210}, null, {"document_url": "https://pursuingheart.blogspot.com/2011/11/gift-above-all-gifts.html", "unformatted_src": "//1.bp.blogspot.com/-jOB_O73ZoQw/WdDoo3nniLI/AAAAAAAAL1k/da-LHwIop2UShHfiAzR3X91TfkqTkH2IgCK4BGAYYCw/s210/%25281%2529Sept.jpg", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jOB_O73ZoQw/WdDoo3nniLI/AAAAAAAAL1k/da-LHwIop2UShHfiAzR3X91TfkqTkH2IgCK4BGAYYCw/s210/%25281%2529Sept.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Sept", "alt_text": "Digital Scrapbooking: Sept. 2017", "rendered_width": 210, "rendered_height": 210}]

The Gift Above All Gifts "... needing Me is the key to knowing Me intimately, which is the gift above all gifts."
(Jesus Calling)

The magical month of December is just around the corner. I love the holiday season, and love the excitement of preparing for our Family Christmas. And throughout the month, I love all the warmth, scents, sounds, and beauty of Christmas.

And my preparations are well under way - some (but not nearly all) of the gifts have been purchased, I have started my Christmas baking, and our Christmas decorations are up (all except the tree and other greenery and lights).

There are times already, though, when I have felt the pressure and stress mounting - how will I get everything done? We have a big family (23 will be here for Christmas) - Christmas does not "just happen", there is so much to do to prepare.

This morning I was in need for an extended time of quiet, and listening - for just as we need extended time to prepare our home and prepare goodies and gifts for this wonderful time of year, we need time to prepare our hearts. Time to enjoy the best of gifts. For in our times of need, we receive the greatest gift - the gift of knowing Him intimately.

~ I want to be needy this season, so that I will run to Him. I want to embrace problems, detours, and trials, for they remind me of my neediness.

~ I am asking for an attitude of listening to Him, of waiting for His direction - instead of just racing ahead with my plans and thinking that I know best what needs to be done on any given day.

~ I long to satisfy my hunger throughout the days with frequent "snacking" on His words, in addition to full-course, in-depth, focused times spent in His Presence.

~ I pray for a thankful spirit, always looking for things to be grateful for, even in the midst of busy days.

(So thankful for the greatest gift of all - that we can keep company with Him through all the seasons of the year, and all the seasons of life.)

Linked to Tuesdays Unwrapped, Walk with Him Wednesdays Posted by Cherry Warrick at 8:30 PM Labels: Following Closely, Holidays - Christmas, Listening Heart, Quiet Moments with God, The Greatest Gift