Merry, merry Christmas to you and I pray that you have a beautiful, bright, happy new year.  I know you’ve heard it before, but praying that this will be your experience in 2018.   But let me insert in here that having a great year, depends on me and you.

This time of the year, some people experience sadness and depression, while others are happy and excited. Christmas time brings a mixture of emotions and at times, these determine our every action.  Let’s not gaze too far in the past.  How has the month of December been? Well! Let me tell you about my December and that’s just in the first two weeks!  First, I have gained more than five pounds! Although, I have a treadmill and weights at home, I prefer to run outside. Finding excuses isn’t difficult, when I don’t want to do something.   And let’s not even talk about the amount of food, I have consumed.  Needless to say, in the past few weeks I can count on one hand, the number of times I have exercised. I am trying to rectify that problem. Secondly, I have been a bit anxious, because there were some things I want to accomplish, that may just be impossible. It has been a real struggle keeping my eyes on the Lord.  We have this tug of war thing going on.  I give my issues and frustrations over to Him and in that same breathe, I take it back again. Back and forth and back and forth I go. When will I learn ‘His ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts!’ (Isaiah 55:8)   When will I understand that I can find rest and true beauty in surrender!  Forgive me, Lord. Working on that too!  Do you know the beauty of my God? In spite of my circumstances, I am loved by a Perfect, Faithful God, and you too!  Despite the fact, that I may be anxious and easily annoyed, I am special to a Holy and Righteous God. When everyone stays away from me, because of my impatience, He draws me closer to Himself.  Thank You, Lord! He loves me and guess what?  He loves you too!  He considers us, His masterpiece.  Our Heavenly Father thought us so incredibly special, that ‘He sent His only Begotten Son’, to become our Savior (John 3:16).   He loves us so much, that ‘while we were yet sinners, He died for us’ (Romans 5:8).  His unconditional love causes me to run to Him for forgiveness and comfort.  Do you know Him? Have you accepted Him as your Savior?  You can do that today.  If you have, then join me on this journey of ‘growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior’ (I Peter 3:18). Let us trust that the One called ‘Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’, is aware of our concerns.  He takes pleasure in blessing us with the things we need for this life, but first, while we wait, let us cultivate the ‘fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22,23).

Merry, merry Christmas and may you have a beautiful, bright, happy new year.