Melissa Howell

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is

dressed in overalls and looks like work.“

~ Thomas A. Edison

“Ugh…I have to go on a call.” My frustration was evident as I explained to my family why, on Christmas Eve, I had to go check on a patient. As I pulled out of my driveway that night I was not happy with the attitude that welled up in me when my phone rang and I saw it was the office calling. I knew I needed to do something to try to avoid the dread of being the on call nurse. I needed to remember why exactly I do what I do.

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“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control. “

Galatians 5:22-23 AMP

I was recently asked by a friend how I celebrated Christmas. The intent of the question was to get ideas on how to celebrate with less emphasis on presents and Santa and more on Jesus.

My immediate answer included practical advice like reading the story of Christ’s birth on Christmas Eve and attending church sponsored events with the family throughout the season. The truth is, I really hadn’t given it much thought in a long while.

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