The Gift of Presence: Finding Joy, Faith, and Focus in the Season

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Well, hello, my valued listeners, and welcome back to another episode of Living in Your Power.
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I'm your host, Dr. Marlene Greenlee, and I'm so glad you've joined me for this
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third episode in our December series, The Gift of Presence, Finding Joy,
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Faith, and Focus in the Season.
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This month has been all about slowing down, reconnecting with your soul,
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and reclaiming what truly matters.
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And today's message meets us right where many of us are right now,
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in the middle of the holiday hustle.
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So the title of today's episode is Fate Over Frenzy, Keeping Christ at the Center.
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Because, my dear listeners, even in the chaos, your peace can still be protected.
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Now, this time of year is beautiful. But let's be honest, it can also be overwhelming.
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There are gifts to buy, events to attend, meals to plan, and expectations to meet.
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And if we're not careful, we'll miss the message for the marketing and the peace for the pressure.
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But Christmas isn't about perfection. It's about presence.
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It's not about how many people you serve. It's about remembering who came to serve you.
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Isaiah 26.3 says, You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast
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because they trust in you.
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Perfect peace doesn't come from perfect plans.
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It comes from anchored fate. And when your focus shifts back to Christ,
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the frenzy loses its power.
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I remember one December, a few years ago, when I was completely burned out.
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I mean, I had overcommitted, overextended, and overperformed,
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all in the name of being helpful. And yet I felt empty.
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Then one night, sitting quietly by my Christmas tree, God whispered to me,
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my daughter, I didn't call you to be busy.
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I called you to be present.
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That's when I realized I had allowed the doing to drown out the being.
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Faith is about trusting that what you've done is enough because he is enough.
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So this week, instead of racing to finish the checklist,
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maybe God is inviting you to rest in the assurance that you are already loved,
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already seen and already covered.
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Now here are three ways you can keep Christ at the center of this holiday season
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and choose faith over frenzy,
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first as always start your day in stillness before you open your email or social
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media open your heart Take three deep breaths and say, Lord,
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help me move with presence,
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peace, and not panic today.
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Next, create sacred boundaries. Protect your quiet time, even if it's just 10 minutes.
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When your spirit feels rushed, that's your cue to pause and not push harder.
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And third celebrate simplicity you
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don't have to do everything to make this season meaningful sometimes the smallest
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most authentic gestures like a handwritten note or a quiet prayer a genuine
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thank you that carries the most power so when faith leads frenzied.
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But let's get back to Isaiah 26.3 that says you will keep in perfect peace those
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whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.
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Peace is not the absence of noise. It is in fact the awareness of God's nearness.
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I want to say that again. Peace is not the absence of noise.
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It's the awareness of God's nearness.
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So here's your empowerment prompt for this week. I want you to take a moment
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this week to reflect and write down. Yes, we got to write it down.
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Where in my life am I allowing busyness to replace belief?
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How can I make more space for fate in my daily routine?
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And what would happen if I led my week with peace instead of pressure?
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I'm going to say this again. Write this down. Write to reflect.
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Take a moment this week to reflect and write down. Where in my life am I allowing
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busyness to replace belief?
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How can I make more space for fate in my daily routine?
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And what would happen if I led my week with peace instead of pressure?
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And we should then say this simple affirmation out loud.
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Today I choose fate over
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frenzy I am grounded in peace Guided
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by purpose And graced by God Today I choose fate over frenzy I am grounded in
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peace Guided by purpose And graced by God.
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So in closing, my dear listeners, my good friends, the world may try to rush
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you, but heaven is never in a hurry.
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God's timing is steady, his presence is sure, and his peace is still available right here, right now.
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So as you move through this week, let your fate become your focus.
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Let your peace be your posture And remember, you don't have to do it all to
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live fully in His presence,
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So I want to thank you again for joining me today On this episode of Living in Your Power,
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I'll see and hear you next week For our next episode in our December series
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And this is going to be entitled The Gift of Grace, A Christmas Reflection.
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Thanks again for joining me on this episode of living in your power and until
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next time i want you to remember to live boldly in your power today and if it gets tough just breathe,
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you still got the strength.