All I Want For Christmas Is...

I have not bought one Christmas gift yet. Surprisingly, I'm not concerned. I normally get a bit out of shape when things are not done or at least well underway by this close to Christmas but I'm serious when I say that events of last year really changed my perspective. For those of you new to the blog you can better understand that statement by reading the post from December 2007. My neighbor is doing well and remains a close friend. Her daughter has struggled in such terrible ways this year its just too sad to post the details. We thought she was dying about a month ago and were called to the hospital in a hurry but it wasn't time because she bounced back within a few days and is now back home trying to regain strength. I know she doesn't understand all the things happening in her life and has said that on numerous occasions. I certainly wish I had the answers. I wish with all my heart she would be miraculously healed by the power of God and yet I also realize He knows so much more than I do. I really should be asking to see as He sees because I would probably then be able to grasp the things already done in her life that I've yet to see from the surface.

Its great to be alive! Its a miracle we are all still here and enjoying our lives as we know them to be. God help us to be grateful as we should be for the breath you have given us and continue to give day after day. Help us to pause right now and realize how great it is to be in Your Presence moment after moment, from one breath to the next. As Thomas said, "My Lord and My God!" Let's cherish every moment we have with one another this year and always. Let this Christmas be the one you decide will mark your moment of healing, your moment of hilarious giving, your moment of overwhelming joy, your life's legacy changed so it includes those you thought wouldn't matter. They do matter. And it does count. Let's answer Our Father's call to not only remember what has been done in our lives but answer His beckoning to step into the unknown where Faith alone will cause us to have Hope. (But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Romans 8:24) Now is the time for all of us!