The Gift of Love at Christmas

When I was 18 years old, I still had not imagined that I'd be the mother of two wonderful daughters, but I was blessed with them and oh what a gift they turned out to be.  I have been given two such precious, amazing daughters.  The future seemed so far, but somehow the years flew and here I am finding myself the mother of two women -- one, Katie, who has made me a proud 'Nana', and the other, Amanda, who lights up my life with her smile and brightens everyone's world around her.

Many people are so affected by the ravages of this life that they fail to see how much of God's blessings they have.  They fail to see the love with which God has so generously loved and granted them so many beautiful things.

I have so much to be thankful for and everything that life brings my way these days, I say "Bring it on."  There has not been one trial, one struggle, or one mountain to climb that my God has not gotten me through. I have been at the very bottom in this life, but I must say that I too have been to the mountain top.  I have experienced highs and lows, peaks and valleys, that at times I didn't think I could get through, but I have made it, with God's help I have made it.  Oh, Life goes on, trials will continue to come, but, this season I know that yet again and again, I can do everything in God who strengthens me.  So if you find yourself in the middle of a struggle this holiday season, remember there are so many other people who may be struggling with an illness, problems with homelessness and finances, lack of heat in the house or other problems. Remember that there are people much worse off than you.  People who need a prayer, a kind word, a few dollars to get by. 

This season, think about the gifts God has given that you never imagined that you would have. They may not be riches, but realize that indeed you are rich, because others may not have some of the things that you are enjoying at this moment.  A warm home, food on the table, a family.  Think about ways that you can pay some of your blessings forward and reach out to others and imagine how much happiness just a little time devoted to help people in need, can bring to others this season. You may not have wealth but you have been given the greatest gift that can be sent from above...The Gift of Love.  Share it.

I am not rich, I may not have a lot, but I have my family and I have the Lord to thank for this, because I didn't see the blessings that would come when I was 18 years old, nor all of the struggles that I would experience, yet here I am.  I made it through the rain and the storms and I am still here, and although I am not wealthy,  I still feel so rich and so blessed, because I have learned to depend and trust in God, for he has preserved and blessed me in spite of all of the trials that I experienced. That is only one of the Gifts of Love that have come from God above.

I urge people not to think about what they don't have and take a walk around their town or their city and truly look around and see what other people are missing in their lives, perhaps just a smile is what they need, perhaps a meal or a bit of conversation. This holiday season, rather than becoming self absorbed with your own problems, lift up your head my friend, rise up and find a way to go help those with a sad spirit, volunteer to serve on a soup line, be part of a toy drive, help a church deliver food to a needy family and find the joy of what is important once again. Happiness is loving, communicating and cherishing human life and wanting to leave that little spark that is so lacking in the lives of others.  Sometimes we ourselves need to walk away from our troubles for a while, so that we are able to see and come face to face with those who have worse troubles than we do.  Those are the people who really need the Gift of Love the most. 

Find out how rewarding it is to put a smile on a person's face and in everything that you experience in life, give God the glory and the thanks, for life is a gift and we did not ask for it, yet we are here.  Salvation was born unto us long ago, that was a gift too and one that we did not earn nor really deserve, because of our human frailty and yet, the Lamb of God, looked down with compassion and was born to bring us salvation and peace.  Don't look upon the face of the poor and the needy with indifference, because you don't know who they were before their luck changed.  

Everyone deserves love and compassion.  That was the example Jesus set for us.  Let us remember that this season when we celebrate the birth of our King, that he was born in a manger and without a crown, yet he was king.  Remember that the poor and the needy may not have castles, good clothes or crowns, but they were made by the hands of a royal King, who bestows all power to kings and principalities and yes, even to those who are downtrodden, but who will one day be lifted up by you and me, but until that day, we are responsible to care for them.

I may not have all that others might have, but I have my two beautiful daughters and my grandchildren and I know that no matter what might threaten or menace us, we will be a family. God has given me a gift that a true loving God would never take away.  True God loving people stand together and never forsake one another.  I know that I never would forsake those that I love, because I recognize what the Gift of Love truly is, so I will be thankful and feel greatly blessed and I will rise up and share my gift of Love with others and those who have lost out on love, who have lost their jobs and who have lost their hope without family.  That's a promise I have made to myself, because I am wealthier than some of those people by comparison, because God has greatly blessed me and has expanded my territory.

This season give the gift of love.  For love and peace are not found in possessions and things that we own.  They are found in the warmth of love and the comfort of family.  Be happy, be well, reach out and share your smile, your kindness and your support to those in need and bring the light of this beautiful season to those in so much need of seeing God's love through you and through others.

I wish all of those who read this post, a very happy, joyous and peaceful Christmas and remember, you may not have silver or gold, but in your heart there is love.  Share your love with those who need it the most.  We have been given a great gift from above...LOVE!

Share the Gift of Love at Christmas Time and throughout the year!

May God richly bless you with the fullness of His Joy, His Peace and His Prosperity. ■

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