Making Space for Peace This Season One Step at a Time

Making Space for Peace This Season One Step at a Time

As we step into another week of preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas, I want to pause and ask you something important:

Have you implemented any of the suggestions we’ve talked about so far?

If so, what have you done?

How do you think those small steps might help you enjoy the holidays in a more peaceful, joyful way?

I would truly love to hear from you.

Sometimes all we need is one small shift to feel like we're moving in the right direction.

What I Did This Week (And Why It Encouraged Me)

I promised myself I wouldn’t overwhelm you with a long list of what I did, because this journey isn’t about accomplishing everything. It’s about taking one intentional step at a time.

But I do want to share a few things, not to impress you, but to encourage you.

When we set our minds to something and ask the Lord to help us stay steady and focused, He truly does give strength for the task.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” Isaiah 26:3

This week, I started by simply making a list on Monday. Nothing fancy. Nothing organized. Just a running list of thoughts as they came to me:

• Names of family and friends to buy gifts for

• A little space next to each name to jot gift ideas

• A Thanksgiving menu

• Tasks I want to finish before and after the holiday

• Anything else that crossed my mind

It wasn’t pretty, but it was a start, and sometimes that’s the hardest part.

Once the list was on paper, something wonderful happened: I felt motivated to tackle a few things.

Here’s what got checked off:

• I pulled out my Thanksgiving decorations and set up the dining area.

• I brought out all my Christmas decorations (except the tree. We save that for the day after Thanksgiving so the grands and great-grands can help!).

• I decorated the main parts of the house, a first for me before Thanksgiving. It actually felt pretty good.

• I rediscovered items I had purchased last year, a few small gifts, Christmas cards, table linens that need ironing. That saved me from buying more cards than I needed!

• Our church is doing a toy drive, so we shopped for that, delivered the toys, and even found a couple gifts for our family list while we were out.

None of it happened in one day.

None of it was perfect.

But each thing brought a little more peace, a little more joy, and a lot less pressure.

What About You?

Maybe your step this week was small, like making a list, organizing a drawer, or setting aside a little shopping money. Maybe you didn’t get as far as you hoped. That’s okay.

Remember this:

If you completed even one small task, you moved in the right direction.

Small steps add up to big peace. Whether it’s once a week or once a day, just keep going. And if life gets busy? Online shopping is always an option!

Next week, we’ll talk about fun and meaningful ways to engage the little ones, gifts and projects that go beyond toys they'll outgrow or break. But we'll save that for later.

For now, breathe. You’re doing better than you think.

A Prayer for the Week

Lord, thank You for guiding our steps, even the small ones.
Help us stay focused, steady, and intentional as we prepare for the holidays. Give us grace to take one thing at a time, peace when we feel overwhelmed, and joy as we celebrate You, the true reason for this season. Keep our minds centered on You, and let every task we complete honor Your name. Amen.

Watch a personal message from Mindi here: