I will never doubt the power of prayer or the grace of God. He’s carried me and blessed me immensely tonight. I’d be happy to talk to anyone who needs to about salvation. In Christ alone, my hope is found.
A small man
stood
at the end of my
deserted driveway. He
held his posture
all day.
Faceless and
concrete,
the Wonderful Stranger
stood.
At least I could trust
his ever-constant
nature and believe
he meant what he
was implying.
Simple implications.
The Wonderful Stranger.
-
A man I always knew.
A man I never met.
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silent, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
As I sit here, personalizing my new laptop and typing on its shiny and oh-so-amazing keys, it’s easy to forget what Christmas is really about. I’m drinking tea in my brand-new mug. I’ve raving over how warm these sweet, new, button-down pajamas I’m wearing are. I’m staring at a huge laptop screen, anxious to wake up my brother to see what gifts “Santa” brought.
But the truth is, even without all these gifts, even without all the hustle and bustle of the holidays (the cooking, the plans, the gifts), Christmas would still be here. Shimmering with magic. Shimmering with warm feelings. Because even though we fill our siblings, nieces, nephews, and children with lies of Santa, Christmas is really about the birth of Jesus. Christmas is a time to get cozy with the Lord and to realize how lucky followers of God are to have such and awesome God! Our Savior didn’t get gifts. He got beatings. He got harsh words and abuse. Aren’t we blessed to be able to freely practice our religion? Thinking about it really makes me think about the people and freedoms I have in life, that I should be so thankful for.
Anyways. Thank you God. Thank you for my family, even though I complain about them. I know I’m so lucky to have a caring family. Thank you for bringing us to Your house Father. I’ve been blessed to be so welcomed into my church. What a blessing it was to be baptized with my boyfriend and siblings and parents. What a blessing! Thank you for Jamie. Oh God, I don’t know what I’d do without that loser. He’s such a wonderful person. Thank you for saving him Lord. Thank you for Michaela. I love that kid. More than life. She’s like a sister to me, but even more. I find comfort there, with her, regardless of anything. I hope she feels the same. I know things are tough for her right now Jesus. Touch her. Give her hope. God, thank you for Casey. I want to make a difference in his life. I’m trying dear Lord, so hard, but I feel like I don’t change anything. Give me hope. And help me to help. I love you so much. Forgive me where I fail you Lord. I fail you so often. I’m not worthy God. Cleanse me. Amen.
Come on, come on people.
Let’s stop our whining. Let’s stop our complaining. Let’s stop all this judgment! Let’s stop all the blaming. Let’s fall on our knees. Together. And praise Him, who will never change!
Other than the Lord, everything you have faith in and everything you are certain will still be here tomorrow ARE NOT GUARANTEED! Let’s put our faith and trust in Him, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
