First of all, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I hope that everyone will take a moment today to reflect on the real reason for the season-the babe in a manger named Jesus Christ.
I have always been one who would rather give than receive. Now don't get me wrong, I love to get gifts just as much as the next girl, but there is just something special about seeing the smile of a child on Christmas morning or the joy on the face of the joyless. This Christmas holiday was especially hard for me. I felt very alone and sad while everyone else around me was having a joyous, wonderful time. I wanted to tell them what was going on with me, but then I felt guilty that somehow that would destroy their joy for the holiday, so I bottled it all up. I knew what was the root of my sadness, so I took it to the only one I knew could truly understand - the Lord. I laid all my problems at His feet and made a decision to enjoy the holiday the best way I could. Little did I know the Lord was working out what would be an amazing Christmas holiday for me.
It all started when my mom and I went Christmas shopping a few days ago. Neither one of us really wanted to go to this particular store because there were so many people, but something just kept drawing us there. We finally gave in to the urge and went in. As we were checking out, it began to be made clear to us the reason for being lead to this place. To make a long story short, the sales lady was going through a terrible time in her life right then and through huge tears she began to unburden herself. She continued to tell us her story, all the while, my mom and myself knew the Lord had sent us there to help and encourage this woman. I told her we would pray for her and after leaving the store, Mom and I did just that in the parking lot in our car. We felt this was an urgent prayer and we took the time right then to go to the Father about it. The Lord then placed a task in our hearts that we knew, if obedient, would brighten her day and ours. We preceded to follow through with the Lord's direction and sure enough, it was a confirmation of something she had been praying about that very morning. It was an amazing feeling to be able to bring joy to a life who seemed to have lost theirs. It made my gloomy day brighter to know that I was able to do this and make someone's holiday very special.
A few days later, I had an answer to my own prayers unfold in a similar manner. To give you a little history, there is a little girl, who is not my biological child, but she has my heart as if she were. Her family has been through tremendous trials in her little short life. Because of this, I try to bring some joy and peace into her life whenever possible. Well, this Christmas would be one of those trials. I bought her some presents to have under the tree because every kid likes getting presents. I had just intended to leave them with her dad and let him give them to her, all the while, wishing I could be there to see her open them. I didn't want to intrude without being invited, so I prayed "Lord if it be your will, please let me spend Christmas with this family, so I can see her open her presents." Literally a few hours after praying this prayer, a phone call came that would change my holiday completely around. Her father called and asked if I would like to bring the presents over and give them to her myself. Of course I went and it was a magical moment that I know had God's stamp all over it.
If I were to have written this blog a week ago, I believe the tone of it would have been sad and unfestive, but thankfully God has once again shown His awesomeness to bring about a time of love, celebration, and joy. I have always believed that this time of year is full of miracles for the brokenhearted, the lonely, the sick, and the lost. I know I received a Christmas miracle this year!!! What better time to see miracles and wonders than a time when a true ultimate miracle took place - the birth of Jesus to a virgin to save this sinful world!!
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