by Tiffany Zylstra | Dec 4, 2013
1. Eat an apple before you go.
This sounds kind of silly to eat something before going to a party where there will be an abundance of delicious food, but if you eat something healthy before you go, then you are much less likely to eat too much of the holiday treats. This simple habit can save you hundreds or possibly thousands of calories over the weeks.
2. Turn off your phone.
If you’re going to be at the party, BE at the party. No one wants to be the overly-focused person, repetitively checking to see if you’ve gotten a life-altering email in the last 30 seconds. Enjoy the people you are with and celebrate your time with them.
3. Dress to impress.
Females especially understand this concept. When you know that your outfit looks nicely coordinated and put together you feel more confident. People like being around confidence. Know that you look good! Worst case scenario, bust out the ugly Christmas sweater and you’ll still be in the spirit!
4. Know obscure Christmas trivia.
Truth is, there is always going to be that odd, awkward silence at some point in the party. This is when you pull out your random Christmas trivia. One of my favorites is in order to buy everything in the 12 Days of Christmas song it would cost you almost $115, 000!
5. Bring a good gift.
Most of the parties I go to over the month of December have some form of present exchange. Don’t bring last year’s white elephant gift that you got stuck with because no one would trade with you, that’s incredibly disappointing! Gift cards are always a great option!
6. Ask people about their Christmas traditions.
People celebrate Christmas in some very cool ways. Plus, everyone likes sharing life stories. One of my favorites from last year was learning how people celebrate in Japan.
7. Take the party on the road.
Go caroling! Or if you have a lot of tone deaf friends get a package of kazoos and go caroling that way. Even if you don’t go up to a specific house, people love hearing Christmas music shared. The movie Elf communicated this best: “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loudly for all to hear.”
8. Be the photographer
If parties aren’t really your thing, be the party photographer. You’ll have an excuse for not spending a lot of time talking to people, you won’t get stuck in one place, and best of all people, will appreciate that you caught the fun atmosphere.
9. Bring a friend (or two).
Always be sure to ask the host or hostess if this option is available. Just in case you have any parties that you are a dreading a little bit, bring a friend. Bonus points if your friend is quick with a joke or knows how to wow with a magic trick.
10. Celebrate the season.
So many times we get lost in the lists of places to go, people to see, food we bring, décor to put up, the presents to buy, etc. The lists just keep getting longer and longer. Celebrate the season for what it is. Christ came to earth — really cool big deal! An advent reading plan will help you get in the spirit (and stay in the spirit) without any bah-humbug crashing the season.
How would you suggest surviving a holiday party?
by Tiffany Zylstra | Sep 25, 2013
Do you ever pray earnestly for God to answer a prayer, truly believing that He will answer? Then when He answers you, you throw a temper tantrum?
Let me give you some background on what I’m talking about. I prayed sincerely for God to answer a request regarding starting a relationship. I believe my prayer went something along the lines of ‘Please make it so clear to me whether this is or is not your will. I only want to move forward with this if you have deemed it to be.’
What I really was praying was ‘Hey God, I want to start dating this fantastic guy and kinda want your blessing on it. What do you think? I’m good right?’
I prayed this on a Sunday night, felt complete peace. What I didn’t realize was that I wouldn’t hear a peep, text, call, smoke signal from the guy in question again. God so completely shut the door that even I couldn’t miss the sign!
After a couple days of realizing God had in fact answered my prayer by making it clear to me that this was not the relationship He has in mind for me. I threw a spectacular temper tantrum. I mean it was pretty darn close to the same temper tantrum you see kids throwing in the middle of the grocery store aisles when they don’t get the candy bar they want. Laying on the ground, arms and legs flailing around, crying, yelling, total disregard for any kind of decorum.
It was bad! I believe my next conversation with God went something like ‘When I asked you to answer my prayer, I wanted you to answer it my way. Not your way. My way. I know what I want. I’ve got this!
After a couple more days go by and I’d gotten over my fairly absurd temper tantrum, I realized a couple of things. First, how absolutely ungracious can I be?! God completely knows what’s best for me, who am I to be so unthankful when He protects me? Second, why after all these years of some poor decisions do I think I know what I’m talking about? Time and time again God has shown me unfailing love and patience.
I have no idea the heartache that He protected me from. However, I can wholeheartedly say that God does answer prayers and loves me even after my prayer temper tantrums.
Philippians 4:6-Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
by Tiffany Zylstra | Aug 28, 2013
“Show me how big your brave is” –Sara Bareilles
Last week in New Mexico, the state Supreme Court ruled that the Huguenins, a Christian husband and wife photography team, had “violated the state’s Human Rights Act” because they refused to photograph a same-sex “commitment ceremony.”
Keep in mind same sex marriage is not legal in New Mexico. To read the whole story visit here.
The penalty for refusing to photograph the ceremony was thousands of dollars in fines. The justice who heard their case had these horrifying words to say: “The Huguenins today can no more turn away customers on the basis of their sexual orientation — photographing a same-sex marriage ceremony — than they could refuse to photograph African-Americans or Muslims.” He then continued to say that the photographers are now “compelled by law to compromise the very religious beliefs that inspire their lives.”
This statement by a judge simply breaks my heart. When did being a Christian become equal to letting others dictate our beliefs? Why should I, in this land of religious freedom, have to go against biblical teachings or potentially be fined? Why should the Huguenins (or anyone else) be forced into acceptance?
What happened to protecting my rights as a Christian? Why am I being forced to compromise on something that is quite clearly a violation of my belief? At what point did I get forced into choosing my faith or a livelihood?
I grew up being taught that I can do anything, be anything and to stand up for what I believe is wrong based on the Bible. I want to be the best possible person God created me to be. I want to stand up for my beliefs without backlash or having to panic at possibly offending someone. At the end of my life I don’t want to be empty or wish that I had been brave enough to speak up for something that I thought was right.
I never want to walk away from a situation because I wasn’t brave enough to stand up for my beliefs. Loving people does not have to mean letting your Christianity take a back seat.
by Tiffany Zylstra | Aug 9, 2013
Being single sometimes really isn’t fun. You see couples sharing a Bible at church, holding hands as they walk through a park, laughing in the car together, and an assortment of other things. Don’t get me wrong I know God has someone amazing picked out for me, but for a gal who struggles daily with patience this is painful!
As I’ve been meditating on this for awhile (and trying an assortment of odd ways to meet someone) God continues to remind me that He’s so much bigger than my small desires. I’m incredibly blessed in this season of my life (albeit longer than I desire) and so frequently I forget to be thankful for all that I get to do. I get to sit outside, watch the sunset and thank God for the reminder to praise Him for all the ways I was protected that day. I get to have a cup of coffee with a friend and share life together. I have constant opportunities to serve and encourage others.
Please don’t misunderstand, I know you can do all of these things when you’re “plus one,” but being single allows me to do things on a whim and not have to check my schedule.
Colossians 3:12-17 has become a mantra lately, reminding me that God is still working on me. It says “Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
I’m constantly reminded that through my struggles with being single, God gets to utilize me. I’m able to drop everything to go help a neighbor, and because I don’t have a family, I have more time to spend serving others. I get to take the random road trips and meet some incredible people who teach and grow me. I get to say ‘yes’ when someone asks if I have time to do something without checking other schedules.
More important than my independence are God’s constant reminders that I get to live my life for Him. I get to be more than a stubborn, independent, single female. I get to be one of God’s incredible creations put on earth to share His love.
by Tiffany Zylstra | Jul 23, 2013
Yesterday I was asked “What is your dream?” My knee jerk reaction was I’m much too busy to dream, quickly followed up with I’m a planner not a dreamer.
I’m happiest with a list in hand, slowly checking off the daily “to-dos.” I was in a group when asked this question, and the stunned silence spoke more about our propensity to dream (or lack of dreams) than if we had all started shouting out answers. I really had to think about it, and even then I wasn’t thrilled with the answer I gave.
When I was little, people would ask ‘what would you like to be when you grow up?’ Or ‘What dreams do you have when you…finish high school, college, get married, etc?’ I don’t know how long it’s been since someone who was being very sincere looked me in the eyes and said ‘What is your dream?’
2 Timothy 1:7 says “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
I forget that I’m allowed to have a dream. Dreaming those huge, incredible goals doesn’t have to stop when you turn 10. What happens when I remember that God has even bigger dreams and goals for me to grow into than I could even imagine?
What occurs when I have a dream that is equal to three tiny baby steps, and after I’ve accomplished that, God says, “Ok, take a leap and let me show you how big my dreams are for you” and blows my expectations out of the water?
I wonder sometimes if I’m scared to dream because that means I have to put myself out there and do something that is out of my comfort zone. I really like my safe, happy bubble. I like knowing all the things that are upcoming and planning accordingly for them. The fewer surprises in my life the happier I am.
But…what happens when someone says “What is your dream?” and I don’t have an answer. Where did I lose my passion and excitement for life? When did I say “nah I’m too old for dreaming”?
What happens when God says, “My child I just want you to take that first baby step. I’m right behind you. I’ll give you all the support you need, but in order for me to change your life you must take the first step.”
I’m going to ask you the same question posed to me, “What is your dream?”