The holiday season is here, once again.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve been preparing for this and getting in the spirit of Christmas for months.  I’ve been slowly upping my caloric intake just so I can celebrate the birth of Jesus in gluttonous style.

But aside from announcing my celebratory eating habits, I wanted to let you know that I will be signing off until after the New Year. 

(Don’t cry.  I’ll be back, pinky swear.)  

While I’m away, I’ll be working on various goals for The Illumination Project and more. One of those goals is to create a workbook that will be part of a 6-week study set to be released in 2013.

And, this is where you come in…

Over the last few months, Love and Respect Now has been featuring guest posts from various folks who have shared their personal illumination stories with you – stories that point back in time to a moment, a person, or even something they read in the Bible that provided insight and wisdom.

My challenge for you is that you would spend time over the holidays reflecting on your own “lightbulb” moments.  Maybe there’s a person in your life who has invested into you, who you can thank with a note or a phone call.  Maybe there’s someone who needs to be encouraged and you can be that friend.  Or maybe you’re a writer and your best thoughts come out with a pen and pencil.

I pray you will focus in on the ways you have grown, been challenged, or begun to think differently about relationships, God, or yourself. 

Journal about your personal illumination moments.  Talk about them with friends.  Grab your dog (or your neighbor’s dog) and make a video.  Or write to me and share your stories with me.  I would love to hear them.

When I return in 2013, I will have some exciting things to share with you.  In the meantime, be sure to get in on all that’s happening on Facebook and Twitter.  The interns will be posting stuff throughout the holidays that’ll be almost as good as your Aunt Geraldine’s fruit cake.  You don’t want to miss out on those “what in the world?” kinda treats.

From my holiday-lovin’ heart,

Joy

Questions

In what ways have you experienced “lightbulb” moments this past year?

How have you been changed by the investment others have made into you?