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
I was running hard as usual (It was Christmas time!). I wanted to send gifts to Mom and I had friends and family I was wanting to bless at Christmas, and of course, my children.
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