A Merry Christmas to Me

Just have to pause and reflect on yesterday...a day spend with my church family.  What a blessing they are to me.

First, Sunday School...right now this a gathering of three classes, which seems to be working for all involved.  Currently, we are using the Gospel Project Curriculum.  Love it...especially the weekly connections we study that between the Old Testament and the New.

Yesterday's lesson focused on John 1:14-18.  What beautiful words:  "grace unto grace."  Never will we be able to outdo our Lord.

Following the morning service, our Sunday School had Christmas lunch together downstairs...with a few additional friends invited.  May many more meals such as this occur throughout 2016!  Fellowship is so important:  words of encouragement given, testimonies shared, laughter heard...and, yes, bellies full!  Such good people.

Then, we organized and several volunteered their time to help complete the buying of a grocery list to ensure 14 families in our community received a Christmas food box.  Fun we had, blessed we were to fill at least 10 shopping buggies, which then filled a truck bed, which then overloaded several tables, which then were transferred back into boxes and bags to be delivered...after prayers were prayed.  My favorite moments?

• I asked a very shy young lady to deliver a food box.  Her immediate answer, "Yes."  No coaxing from me.  No cheerleading needed.  Just, "Yes."  That one word equaled a miracle, for a year ago, she could not have accomplished this.  In that year, though, I have witnessed the Lord teaching her, reassuring her, as she accepts His Grace, becoming more assured, more comfortable within herself because of Him.  Truly, a miracle.
• My most favorite moment...standing outside on a very cool, gray December afternoon, joining hands with those partaking in these special moments, and praying that He bless these packed and loaded boxes, that He bless the families, that He receive the Glory.  He did.  He will.

Completing the day was a Candle Light Service.  Through scriptures and the lighting of candles, the Nativity Story was re-told.  Beautiful.  When everyone had left, singing "Silent Night," only the candle representing Jesus was still aglow.  How appropriate, for His Light still shines so brightly.

Yes, I blew out that candle, taking with me, though, more of His Light, due in part to all the time spent with my church family throughout this day.

I so encourage you to gain a church family, to be involved with that family, to appreciate how God will use that family to bless you abundantly.

Blessings...and Merry Christmas!