Early Christmas Gifts

Last week was long-very long. It was full of getting ready for a trip, trying to get students to work and not getting the time I needed with God. Friday as we are leaving for our trip, I am in tears from exhaustion and some hurtful things that had gone on that day at school. I wasn’t quite sure if I was in the Christmas mood but I was for sure ready to get away. Two days later, I find that in the past two days I have recieved 4 Christmas gifts that are actually mine all year long.

The first two gifts are grace and peace. Because of the week I had experienced and other things, I found myself pouring my heart out to God asking for his forgiveness and guidance. In the process, I was given a peace that surpasses all understanding and reminded that there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ.

The third gift was rest. In Matthew 11:28, 29, it says Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Amazingly I woke up on Sat. morning refreshed and rested. I am feeling restored by time with family and most of all time with God.

Lastly I have received renewed hope because of the first three gifts. By taking on the yoke that God gives me I can become gentle and humbe in heart by learning from his example. Not only that but in Titus 2:11-13, Paul tells me that the grace of God teaches me to say no to ungodliness and wordly passions and to live self controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age while I wait for the blessed hope of Jesus’s return. God’s grace gives me the power to live a life that I can not live on my own. I just need to remember that God has given me the ability to do these things when I became his child.

Dear God, Thank you for your gifts to us. Most of all Jesus. It is only because of Jesus that I can have peace, rest, grace and hope. Amen