As I look back on this past weekend, I see an abundance of God’s blessing.
On Friday we spent the afternoon visiting with another homeschooling family in our home. We shared stories over coffee. Our children played Barbies and dress-up and crafted nativity finger puppets.
When my friend left I realized that God is working in my life.
He is faithful to hear the cry of my heart and answer in mighty ways.
On Saturday morning my girls and I went to Harding Street Outreach Center in an area that is riddled by poverty and despair.
Our church reaches out to this community at Christmas to share food, worship, and the message of Christ.
My girls sang in the children’s choir, blessing with the words of Christmas carols.
I counseled and prayed with a lady who prayed to receive Christ. She desires to draw close to Him. She’s been struggling to do better on her own and is just two months clean from alcohol and drugs. But we cannot do it on our own. She now has God’s spirit living within her and guiding her in her walk.
God’s blessings abound in this community.
Saturday night my husband and I attended our Bible Fellowship class’s Christmas Party. We felt welcomed and accepted into this family of believers. Our conversations were blessed. We laughed as Christmas presents were given and taken away.
Christ has given us the gift of His son.
He has blessed us with community.
We are a part of His family of believers and it is an abundant blessing to share fellowship with them.
On Sunday morning my husband was able to attend church with us. He is usually leading the chapel service on post for AIT students. He was able to have another chaplain fill in this Sunday.
It was a blessing to worship with my husband.
A blessing that I don’t take for granted.
In Bible Fellowship we broke into care groups to spend time getting to know others. We were asked to share Christmas memories.
My husband shared the story of his first Christmas without our family…the Christmas during his first deployment to Iraq.
Tears ran down his face as he shared memories of experiencing Christmas without his family. Of closing his office door after chapel services were over to open presents alone.
I am blessed with a husband that loves his family.
God has abundantly blessed me with a husband who isn’t afraid to be real…to shed tears as he shares his heart.
My thoughts went to childhood Christmases spent with family. I remember going to my grandparents house every Christmas Eve to open presents. I remember my daddy staying up all night to barbecue a pig over a pit.
My thoughts are saddened by knowing that my Grandaddy isn’t here this Christmas.
My family will be hurting over his loss.
Christmas won’t be the same.
The grief is raw and painful, yet, even in the grief I can see the blessing.
Having Christmas memories filled with family is a blessing.
I am so thankful that God has allowed me to see the abundant blessings all around me this weekend.
I am so thankful for the Christmas season when we can celebrate the greatest, most abundant blessing God has given us.
The blessing of his Son, born in a manger.
Born to rescue us from our sins.
Born to offer salvation, peace and life everlasting.
This week I am counting…
436. visiting and sharing the gospel of Christ
437. homeschool playdate – making new friends
438. seeing evidence that God hears the cry of my heart and answers
439. God’s blessings abounding in a community of poverty
440. my girls singing in the children’s choir, serving with servant’s hearts
441. praying with someone desiring to be close to God, our hands joined together
442. enjoying our Bible Fellowship Christmas party…laughing and enjoying new friends
443. worship with my husband
444. baptisms on Sunday morning
445. a husband that loves me and our family
446. a husband who is not afraid to shed tears as he shares his heart
447. childhood Christmas memories
448. celebrating God’s gift of Christ this Christmas season
r.elliott says
Hi neighbor….your joy and thankfulness comes through your post….
Blessings to you~
r.elliott says
Hi neighbor….you joy and thankfulness come through your post…
Blessings to you~
LifeAtTheCircus says
Such beautiful blessings… thanks so much for sharing. We too are missing a Grandpa here this Christmas. It is hard.
Thanks for sharing your heart with us.
Hallee the Homemaker says
What a beautiful post.