The celebrations are only beginning

12 / 28 / 151 / 13 / 16

As a child, the Christmas season was the best time of the year. For a few wonderful weeks, anticipation and excitement took over as I dove into celebrations with family and friends.

As an adult, my perspective has changed. I am older with responsibilities and those long ago feelings are now gone.

I sometimes long for the excitement to return, but know that some of those joyous feelings came from receiving gifts.

I now long for feelings of wonder and amazement that come with a deep and true meaning of why I celebrate Christmas.

[biblegateway passage=”John 8:12″ display=”John 8:12″] (NIV)

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The beauty of being different

8 / 4 / 159 / 14 / 15

Have you ever looked at a flower? I mean really looked at one. Head to your nearest flower right now and peer into the depths of its beauty.

On top of the rose stem sits a beautiful piece of artwork. From beginning to end, petals gracefully fold into each other creating a stunning design. The petals are delicate and can easily be broken from a simple touch or a slight breeze. Yet, this flower is magnificently designed by the master’s hand. It is perfect.

Standing tall is the lily. Its long and stunning petals curve backwards beckoning the admirer to gaze upon its beauty. This flower is also magnificently designed by the master’s hand. It is perfect.

These flowers were given to us from our Father. We enjoy their beauty and breathe in the sweet smelling aroma that flows from their petals.

God blesses us every day

3 / 11 / 159 / 14 / 15

The temperature was below zero as I drove to work. A snow storm had just left six inches of fresh snow on the ground burying everything underneath including my car.

It’s been a cold and snowy winter but spring is just a few weeks away. I could almost touch it. But then a storm slaps my hand back and punishes me with more snow and cold air.

“When will this end?” I ask out loud to no one in my empty car.

I look around me and all I see is a blanket of white. There is no green grass on this day. It is fast asleep beneath the snow. Trees are burdened by extra weight that threatens to break their branches.

As I turned a corner, my eyes fell upon the sun slowly rising above the trees. The sky was bright with radiant colors that gently pushed the darkness away. In a few minutes, the Sun would fully appear bringing with it the light of day.