Christmas Day 3: “When I was a kid…………”

November 15, 2020November 15, 2020 Laura GraceLeave a comment

“Christmas when I was a kid.” Does anyone even care? (What it was like?). I think so, because honestly, I have read stories about the Christmas’s of others, and I totally enjoy them.

When I was a kid, Christmas was a magical time for me. Mom made a lot of different goodies, including, popcorn balls, fudge (2 different kinds) frosted cookies, pinwheel cookies, and sometimes we had peanut brittle laying around.

There were cousins, aunts and uncles who sent packages by mail (grandma’s too) and soon the tree was abounding with colorfully wrapped gifts. We all looked at the Sears Catalogue to dream of what Santa might bring…….

I didn’t teach my kids about Santa, because i remember the disappointment when he didn’t bring quite what I asked him for. I believed, so I thought maybe I was ‘naughty” is why it didn’t happen. I thought maybe he was trying to teach me a lesson, and that was why I got peanuts and oranges in my stocking (mostly) and didn’t know til years later that santa’s budget depended on Mom and Dad’s budget, at the time.

Therefore, based on that disappointment, I didn’t teach my children to believe in Santa Claus, I told them it was a nice story and a nice thought, but ultimately Jesus is the reason for the season.

When I grew up, which happened during the process of raising children, I decided Christmas Joy was something I wanted to emmulate. I learned to make the cookies, (and the fudge) as much as I do NOT like or enjoy kitchen duties. I soon found out what a servant heart it takes to pull of this Amazing Holiday. It’s a lot of work, to say the least……

Finding out just how much work it was, made me appreciate my Mom even more, and all she did for us at Christmas time. I had no idea! The shopping, the boxing, the mailing, the goodie-making, the budget-strategy! It took weeks to get it all done and must be started before Thanksgiving……..

The decorating, the Christmas cards, and putting pictures in all of them. (I did it all). In the end It would be over with and I’d say I DID IT! I really did it! Everyone got a gift, everyone got a card……..I made the goodies and did not burn them! Oh How I prayed over Christmas (every year) and rejoiced to get those boxes mailed out before the 15th……

Then came the thank you’s from Mom and friends and the delighted looks on children’s faces……

Now some bad stuff happened yes. I had some who did not appreciate, nor did they reciprocate (yes even with some of my family). My Dad always said “Bah Humbug” at Christmas, which made me very sad……

Christmas reminds me a little of the gospel (not that it can really compare with it) but it’s a reflection of it, in some small way. The lights, the giving, the generosity and the love……and like the gospel, it is not always appreciated or reciprocated….But its’ still important to SHINE!

I want to thank you Mom. Your love for us always shined through at Christmas time, especially. THANK YOU for all you did over the years to make it special! Thank you for the Christian example of serving and giving & loving. Forgive me for the times I didn’t seem as appreciative as i should have.

With love, your daughter,

Laura

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35

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Christmas’s Gone By…..(A Little Testimony Time!)

December 14, 2019March 19, 2020 Laura GraceLeave a comment

Christmas can be a hard time of year. I love Christmas, but I don’t deceive myself, that it is a hard time for many.

In the Past, I can remember times I could not afford to get the presents, and even used food stamps to buy gifts for some, and to stuff my kids’s stockings with candy.

Many times, we went to food banks and rejoiced over a free turkey, and many times I was on my knees praying there would be something under our tree. “Lord Please, Don’t let my kids feel unloved, I cried” Please provide for Christmas! I struggled with it, when people told me what a “pagan holiday it is” (making me feel horrible for celebrating it) or sometimes, even told me “Just be thankful if you have something to eat,” When I would ask for prayer.

I”m sure these folks meant well, but eventually I just prayed, and made my requests between myself and God. He understood, I told myself, that the kids were already going through enough: Trouble at school, poverty, a dad drinking and carrying on. The last thing they needed was for kids to brag on their wonderful presents and school, while they sat feeling “unloved.”

If you are one who helps others at Christmas time, just be aware you have NO IDEA How big of an impact you may be making. For all you know, this Christmas coud have been blessed, JUST BECAUSE of what you do. Many people blessed us and some, I never got to thank. There were toys from Toy drives, food from unidentified donors, and believe me, It all made a difference.

As a young Mother, I thanked God so many times for benevolent persons, like the friend that bought me a Christmas tree, the time someone loaned me her fancy ornaments, the one who bought my kids a winter coat one time, and so many other unexpected blessings through the years.

As I sit here, just remembing that somehow, every single year, God came through, provided for us, and every single Christmas while different, was always a blessing as we watched for his love. WE WATCHED FOR HIS LOVE! We expected him to show up, but I never told him how to do it.

My prayers, “Father please, just bless Christmas, I don’t know what to do,” Were always answered in some way. As a result, we still love Christmas! What I’ll always remember is we sought God, Thanked God, and Watched God “SHOW UP” in a multitude of ways. God is the true “Father” Of Christmas and he knows just how to bless you. “Ask!” Then Watch for him to show up.

He Knows Exactly the right way to bless you, Trust in Him. –Laura Grace Author

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the Sacred Snowmen

December 14, 2018 Laura GraceLeave a comment

The year was 2003 and I was visiting my son (then a teenager). He had his first job but it was part time, and he didn’t make a lot of money. I saw these little snowmen on a sled (about 3 inches high) in this cool store in Detroit Lakes, MN.

I remember I exclaimed how cute they were, and that was a hard year for us as I had left his dad, he was alone without his mom….

He did this remarkable thing I have never forgotten…..

A package came…..(from him) at christmas..in it was the (gasp) snowmen and the little tobaggen. I have them (to this day) I can’t look at them without remember the love that shined out of Thomas ….(during a very dark time in his life)….

Now he’s a man…a minister, a leader..has a wife (and child) owns his own house. He’s a prayer warrior…more of a friend now than ‘a son” but he’ll always be my son even though he is primarily God’s son. And i have to think….If I being a mere human never forgot that extraordinary act of love….

How could we ever think God does not notice what his children do, for him?

Oh how his heart must smile, just thinking about us…..and the things we’ve done just to honor him……._Laura Grace

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Being a Faith Person, in a cynical world

August 28, 2018August 28, 2018 Laura GraceLeave a comment

Good Morning!

I find myself thinking this morning, how difficult it can be to be a faith person, in a cynical world.

I am an oddity to many, and I perceive that many just wonder, (and worry a little for me) when they hear the things I believe, and the things I say, on any given day.

I am prone to speak faith over situations, and defy the laws of the natural with my words (and prayers). I don’t necessarily believe in “JUST” asking God for something, I believe in speaking faith words into the atmosphere.

Many do not agree with me, but they are a little bit afraid to argue, too. I can almost hear their thoughts.

“Should I say something to Laura?” “Doesn’t she realize she isn’t always going to “get what she says?” Or “does she realize God is Sovreign, and what happens, is up to him?” When I speak big things in Faith, I’m sure they wonder, “Is she going to be okay when it doesn’t “GO” How she thinks it will?”

Many often think I do need a “reality check.”. Know how I know? No, so I will tell you: I know by the things people (often) say to me what they truly believe.

They don’t believe they are cynical. They believe they are right.

Jesus really did say in Matthew 21 ” but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.”

This does not mean every problem we have we just “speak to it’ and it goes away (according to our whim). However, there are times we do! And, things happen!

The “Blab it and Grab it” crowd gives Jesus a bad reputation! I don’t see Jesus speaking to every circumstance that was unpleasant, do you? So when we do this, our immaturity shows for all the world to see! And you give the gospel “a bad name” if you treat his word like a magical sceptor for your own personal gain.

Jesus did many different things at different times, as he “Did the Will of his Father in Heaven” (John 5:30). There were prophets in the Old Testament who spoke things (by Faith) some of it never happened in their lifetime, They still believed it.

A doctrine of man is when ONE thing he did, is emphasized to the point the full message of God gets distorted. If we want to be like Him (Christ-Like) we will reject none of his ways (or methods) but at the same time we will also not take one thing he does (or did) and blow it out of proportion.

I speak to situations when he leads me to do so. Those who have tried, or have seen someone, try to get rid of every problem Just by speaking Faith (when their hearts did not even believe what they were saying) Begin to get cynical, and think they have to “straighten out” Faith people, who seem to be ‘over the top.” It’s not one or the other, GOD”S WILL OR You Speaking Faith like he did!

You can believe for his Will AND speak Faith (to your Mountain) at the same time! The question is, what has his Word taught you to believe? Do you know what it says about every situation? (His word) or are you just listening to those who claim to know?

And why should we even believe them? Who are THEY to say what you should believe or not believe? Isn’t that between you and God, in your Covenant with Him?

Something to ponder,

By Laura Grace Author, https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Grow-study-guide-Rescue/dp/197333187X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535463548&sr=8-1&keywords=grace+to+grow+by+Laura+graceGrace to Grow

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Christmas Story #11 Gifts (and Benevolent Benefactors)

December 23, 2017December 23, 2017 Laura GraceLeave a comment

“Gifts” (and benevolent benefactors.)

According to Gary Chapman, author of the five love languages, one love language is gifts. This means for some, they feel loved to get them, and often it’s how these people express their love

Through the years, I have been both the giver and receiver of many gifts, and when I took this test (from the book) I came out with Gifts being my #1 love language. I loved this book because it helped me understand myself and others. Some feel the most loved if you mow the lawn or “help them” with something. some feel loved with a hug (Physical affection) others would rather you keep your hands to yourself! LOL

It’s not right to assume what WE think should make others feel loved WILL make them feel loved. Or that it “Should” because we decided what is what. That’s just a little presumptious. I don’t see in the bible where God says there is ONE way to love. I see many types of expressions of love there, Including gifts.

I know “they” often say it’s more blessed to give than receive.I have been the giver and the receiver, and I have to say: Gifts that are answers to prayer are especially special. They are all great but times when I needed food or the electric bill paid, or my kids needed coats, (and I was praying about it) Wow those
items showing up were just “WOW” Moments!

I can’t possibly list all the things that have happened for me through the years, not without writing a whole book about it! (Hmm, that’s a thought!) I don’t think any story at Christmas tells it better than the movie “Scrooge.”

For Tiny Tim (and for all the other Tiny Tim’s of this world) Benevolent Benefactors truly do make a difference.