It has been my joy to share with you this year through my silly holiday blog posts. So, unless something inspires me, this will be the end of the 2024 series.

Tomorrow, New Year’s Day, John and I will spend a quiet time at home, resting, watching college football and enjoying the day. We do have a tradition handed down by his parents.

Every year, on January 1, we light bayberry candles and burn them to “the socket.” Mom and Pop Stein started this tradition for us by saying:

“Bayberry candles burned to the socket bring health to the home and wealth to the pocket.”

So our home will have the sweet aroma of bayberry.

I have to be careful about aromas. I used to have a favorite perfume but stopped wearing it when I saw someone react badly to it. I don’t want the “aroma” around me to be perceived as something that I don’t want to be.

Bayberry means new year to me.

The aroma of baby powder means sweet little ones are near.

The smell of worn leather brings a baseball glove to mind.

And, one of my favorites, bug spray and damp canvass brings memories of family camping trips.

But, what aroma does God enjoy? I love the words of the Bible in Revelation 5:8 –

“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”

Friend, God not only hears and answers your prayers but your prayers carry a sweet aroma and the Lord has saved them all. Yes, just like our earthly parents saved our “stuff” we thought meant nothing, our Heavenly Father has saved our prayers, keeping them safe in Heaven.

He hears your prayers.

If bayberry is sweet to me, I cannot imagine the sweet aroma of your prayers.

As we begin 2025, let us spend time praying and talking with our Heavenly Father, praising, seeking, LISTENING, and obeying.

Our Heavenly Father longs to hear from you.

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)