Saturday, December 20, 2008

Coming to the end of the year

Every year about this time, I get reflective. I think about what happened in the year: the usual why did it happen, how did it happen and what would I have done differently in the circumstance.

So much happened in this past year that I have had a lot to meditate on. The answer I come up with most is that I should have taken my situations to God faster instead of trying to take care of things on my own.

I must confess that this has been a year of more joyous things than sorrowful. This has been a year in which God has shown Himself greatly to our family on a whole. Sure the economy is not where anyone would want it to be world wide; but with God as the source of our life, we can find contentment in living with little as we have when there was much.

One thing I know for sure God is still God and He is unchanging. His love for His children does not go up and down like the stock market nor does He need a "bail out" to keep His Kingdom moving forward. All He needs is willing hearts, who realize that all things begin and end with Him. In the in between, we have great blessing of His presence.

I am hopeful and look forward to the coming year, not because of a new presidency or any promises made by man. I a hopeful because of Who God is and what His promises are toward His children. I pray that you all will find blessings in your life whether you have little or much.... Just remember , our God is the King of a great Kingdom and our blessings, true blessings come from His heart to us.

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Christmas Joy

Tonight, we attended our town's Christmas Parade. It was a very special time for us as a family.

We are so blessed to live in a rural community where families come together and enjoy old fashion things like a town parade.

The main street was decorated in lights and lined with with smiling faces of neighbors that you see in the local supermarket or local cafe. People greeting each other warmly even if they do not know your name. Children laughing and running up and down the sidewalks.

The air was crisp and cool, filled with anticipation of the parade as the band began to approach. Then you hear some of the children yell and giggle: " Here it comes! Here comes the parade!"

Horse drawn carriages with bright Christmas lights pass. Children shouting with joy because the riders are tossing candy to them. The the floats from local businesses go pass and ooh's and aah's are heard from the crowd. Last but not least, is the ending float with Santa Claus! Every kid clapping their hands and pointing.

It was a good parade; but it was not there that I found my joy so much. It was in the visitors I had after the parade!

I was blessed to have most of my grandchildren come to my house after the parade. Here we had chili, hot chocolate and cookies. The children decorated my Christmas tree and it was so sweet to hear them working together and enjoying each others' company.

My heart delighted in their conversations with each other and the laughter that filled my house for those few hours. I truly understand why a merry heart is like medicine. The laughter of each of them made me think back to when our children (their parents) were young and how they would become excited about this Season.

I want to thank the parents for making the trip for the parade and to our home. They brought to me the first true gift of Christmas: the laughter and love of children! The laughter of the grandchildren was definitely God given medicine to my old bones.