Through a child's eyes
There are certain Christmases past that stand out in my mind. Like the year Santa brought my 'Toni' doll and a wardrobe of doll clothes exactly like the ones he left for me! I was about 6 years old. Mother must have spent hours at the sewing machine sewing the matching dresses--some with detailed embroidery on the skirts. She told me Mrs. Claus did it! As a teen, I remember the first Christmas gift I received from a boy--a pearl bracelet. I remember the beautiful wrapping that told me it was from a certain jewelry store in town, and therefore something special inside. I still have that bracelet--and the guy who gave it to me!
The Christmas of 2008 was another special Christmas and full of blessings. Early on I knew it was to be a very busy one, and my prayer was for safety and joy for my family and friends throughout this season. I also asked for a joyful spirit for myself as I prepared and participated in all the festivities. It was a precious Christmas gift that the Lord gave us. From the lights of Silver Dollar City and the Branson Belle Showboat to the special 'Journey On the Mountain" with church friends, and the four different family celebrations (ending with a New Year's wedding), it is a Christmas memory to cherish. Even the weather worked out perfectly with the warm, sunny winter days for celebrations coming between the fierce, icy storms that moved through these mountains intermittently throughout the month of December.
Our special joy was seeing the spirit of Christmas through the eyes of an excited little boy and his parents, (who forgot that Santa didn't bring everything fully assembled!) Jack Henry didn't know any better. Watching Daddy and Pops frantically put his toys together on Christmas morning was part of the fun!
Our family had much to celebrate this year--good health or a respite from health problems, new jobs, a promising future with a new wife, the expectations of the arrival of a new baby, the hope for a new adventure, a continuing contentment and peace, and the happiness of being together once more as we celebrated a holiday on the mountain. Our cup runneth over!
We know all these things are so fragile, and that thought makes them the more precious as we look forward to a new year that may or may not bring the best of news. But we know 'the peace that passeth all understanding will guard our hearts and minds'. And we are confident that 'He knows the plans He has for us..to give us a future and a hope'.
Rejoice in the Lord always!...Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4,6-7
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call on me, and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29: 11-12
And one more--
Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power...Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17
No comments:
Post a Comment