by Emily Conrad

**1/2/19 update– The giveaway has ended. Congrats to Amber and Lila!**

I’m not quite done with my gift giving! Who’s left? Well, you are! Though I can’t give every blog reader something (I wish I could!), I do have 2 e-book copies of the novel I love most from my reading this year: Becky Wade’s Falling for You.

Why was this my favorite? Well, there’s romance, there’s mystery, and there’s a fame element. (Fame plays a role in some of my more recent manuscripts, which I hope you’ll get to read someday–but first, I need to find a publisher. šŸ˜‰ ) But also! The heroine struggles with perfectionism. If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you know that topic is near and dear to my heart, and this story dealt with it in a way that was authentic to the story but so moving.

See the giveaway details at the bottom of this post, but because I know it’s sometimes easy to overlook, I’ll stress right here that, unfortunately, these e-books will only work for US customers.

Now, on to your regularly scheduled post!

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I tend to circle certain topics in my life and, in turn, on the blog.

In fact, if it weren’t for the blog, I’m not sure I’d notice as acutely how I camp around issues like perfectionism, worry, identity, waiting, and more.

I can feel like I made real progress in an area, and then something happens, the issue floods me again, and Jesus must remind me of the same old truths He’s taught me before.

Often, He’s gracious to do it in a new way, and hopefully truth sinks deeper and permeates further each time, but my need for repetition frustrates me sometimes.

And then it comes time to write a blog post. Should I really pen another post on that same old issue?

So, I look around for something else to write about. It’s Christmastime, and that means seasonal posts are an option. Something about waiting based on Advent, or something about peace and joy, or something about keeping Jesus the focus.

These traditional Christmas posts are an option every year. As we grow older and time goes faster, it seems these annual landmarks come around more quickly, circling past.

The year may change, but the holidays stay the same, bringing to mind the same things over and over.
And that’s kind of the point.

When God instituted the annual observance of Passover, He said in Exodus 12:14 the day was to be a ā€œmemorial.ā€ When we take communion now, it’s in ā€œremembranceā€ of Christ.

At Christmas, we remember God sent His son to earth to die for our sins. At Easter, we remember Jesus defeated death to offer us life. At Thanksgiving, we remember we are a people called to gratitude.

With each holiday and each tradition, right on down to going to church on Sunday mornings, we’re encouraged to remember.

Remember, remember, remember.

We like to check things off. We like to move on and learn something new.

But there are some things we’ll spend a lifetime circling and remembering and applying anew.

If holidays and traditions circle, maybe it shouldn’t surprise me that I do, too.

There’s room for this with God. Not that we should fail to learn, but that He is patient with us as we do. After all, He is love (1 John 4:8), and love is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4).

It seems He never tires of issuing reminders. One of the last things he said on Earth? ā€œAnd remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.ā€ (Matthew 28:20, NET)

Wait. Remember that? Has He told us that before?

There may be other instances, but this time of year, the one that stands out to me is tucked away in the Christmas account in first chapter of the same book:

ā€œLook! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will name him Emmanuel,ā€ which means ā€œGod with us.ā€ (Matthew 1:23, NET)

That verse is quoting a prophecy recorded in Isaiah 7:14.

That’s three times. Remember, remember, remember.

So, remember, He’s still with us. He doesn’t give up on His children. He walks with us, reminding us of His love, His mercy, and His grace until we get it.

Again.

And not for the last time.

To be entered in the giveaway, comment on this post. If you enjoy what you see here, I’d love for you to subscribe to the blog via email, but that is not required for the giveaway. See the other details below.

**1/2/19 Update- The giveaway has ended. Thanks so much to all who entered!**

What are some of the truths you can never been reminded of too much? What types of posts do you find most helpful? I’d love to use your feedback as we go into 2019!

To enter the giveaway, you must be 14 or older and a US resident with a valid email address. Void where prohibited. Comment on this post before January 2, 2019. Winner will be announced in comments on this post on 1/2/19, and in the new post that goes live on 1/3/19. Winner will have one week to respond by emailing me at emilyconrad @ sbcglobal.net (remove the spaces). I don’t have access to email addresses of commenters, but if possible, I will attempt to reach out to the winner via email and/or social media. The e-book will be awarded via an Amazon redemption link. If you have any questions, just ask!

“We like to check things off. We like to move on and learn something new. But there are some things we’ll spend a lifetime circling and remembering and applying anew.” #Encouragement and a #christianfiction giveaway from @emilyrconrad

Photo Credits
Title image created on Canva.com, photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Ceramic house photo by Sweta Meininger on Unsplash 
Gift photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

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