Ministry > acharles
Jesus said, “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:40 (RSV)
One Christmas, my daughter and I were alone. A church friend who worked at an assisted living facility, announced they were having a Christmas Party for the residents and could use some help. We volunteered.
We helped with their gift giving, games they played, and assisted shaky hands while they ate. (Shaky hands and Jello presents a real challenge.) We glued, taped and stapled as they made a Christmas craft and then we all sang Christmas Carols. After one ice cream accident, we decided ice cream was good enough to wear. It was a wonderful afternoon. You could not wipe the smiles off our faces.
After a most rewarding day, we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner—the only place open on Christmas Day. We shared and laughed again at the happy events of our wonderful day. It gave us a blessing greater than any Christmas gift could.
We could have felt sorry for ourselves and sat around complaining about our circumstances, but we chose to help. No one attends pity parties. The gift really was for us.
Jesus said, “What you do for the least of these, you do it for me.” (Above)
Joshua said, “Choose this day whom you will serve…” Joshua 24:15
Dear Lord. The greatest gift is You. Ignite in us the heart to be a gift to others and choose the Godly way to give—in Your name. Amen.
© 2015 Lois Gosley
ReadDear Friends-
My wife and I begin our day with a reading from OurDailyBread. You have suggested for your readers to offer thoughts or experiences they might have had. I have a personal account that I experienced a while back that you might include in your devotionals. You are free to modify it or edit it any way.
Meeting Jesus
My friend Larry and I are in our eighties. A few months ago before church I was in Fellowship Hall. Larry came up to me and said, "Sit down. I want to talk to you." As we were seated, he said that he had been to the doctor the previous week. The doctor said that he had a life-threatening condition. He then leaned forward toward me and said, "I'm going to meet Jesus before you do." Tears welled in my eyes, and I didn't know how to respond.
As time passed , Larry's condition grew worse. Eventually he was put in Hospice Care, and today (7/17/2016) he died. I think of him now as providing a wonderful expression of a gentle passage from this life to eternity. He has met Jesus face-to-face. "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Php. !:21)
Larry was an Elder in our church, and he continued to serve as long as he was able. He would always follow up with people in need in his own parish as well with others who, needed help.
As the end drew near, Larry made sure that provision was made for his wife. He met with our pastor, and planned the arrangements for his memorial service.
Insight
We all have experienced the death of someone we loved. It's so hard to realize that we'll never see them again - in this life. As Christians we grieve, but we have the assurance that we will be united once again. I sometimes wonder about those who don't know Christ. The void in their lives can't be filled in this life or the next.
ReadI was brought up in a Christian home, by parents who were missionaries to India. I had two brothers and a sister and the four of us were all born in India. Up to the age of 16 I moved back and forth between India and the UK but finally we all remained in the UK.
When I was 5 years old I heard the story retold of the cross of Jesus and how He suffered and died for me. I was very moved and asked Him to come into my heart and to stay there forever. Not knowing a lot, though, at that young age, and perhaps not realising the implications of that decision, my life style didn't change significantly right away.
When I was aged 10 or 11 however, I entered a kind of 'honeymoon' period in my Christian life. I became very enthusiastic about Christian things and keen to tell my friends that they too needed to be 'saved.' Sadly, this did not last. In my early to mid-teens my zeal cooled somewhat and other interests and distractions took over.
However, I don't think I stopped believing. God kept His hand on me and protected me from sliding too far into sin. At age 17, certain scientific facts about the vastness of the universe, the speed of light and distances measured in light years, caught my imagination. Coupled with Scriptures about the wonders of God's creation and what the Bible said in two psalms in particular (8 and 19), this brought me back to outright faith. I rededicated my life to the Lord and was baptised a few months later.
Down the years since then I have experienced many things - supremely happy times and some pretty tough times, including unemployment and mental illness. Through it all God has sustained me, provided for me and gradually strengthened my faith and deepened my relationship with Him. He has proved His love and faithfulness many, many times over! I have often failed Him but He has never let me down. At age 54 I was married to a Christian lady and we have now been together for nearly 14 years. Marriage was and is a life-changing experience and I am still learning and being stretched! I'm sure she is too!
The Lord is good: you should "taste and see" how true that is. He has promised me a glorious future in Heaven with Him; this is a "living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." The alternative, being separated from God for ever, is so awful as to be unthinkable. But it is inevitable if you do not seek Him and receive Him NOW. You don't have to take that route because God's offer of salvation is still open and available and He loves you and longs to welcome you into His family, to share the future He planned and paid such a high price for at Calvary's cross. Come to Him TODAY!
ReadI have been involved in Christianity for 5 years now. A co-worker invited me to church during a moment when I was encountering a problem in my marriage related to a family member. I accepted the offer hoping for Jesus to solve my problem. Weeks later my problem was solved and my married was in the up again towards normality. Today, I am still following Jesus, go to Church and volunteer. During a quick trip to Grand Rapids, MI I said to myself. I am going to stay in my hotel room today and read the Bible. Well, little did I know that the hotel is across the Our Daily Bread main office. I quickly asked if they did tours and they received me with open arms. I saw that ODB was in fact legit and everything they do to continue to pass the Word of God. They even use recycled paper to produce their booklets to reduce cost because sometimes they are short of funds. I have since then been very connected to this ministry and know that they preach and speak directly from the Bible the Word of God. God Bless this ministry and those who help continue their work.
Read God’s Direction
As a discharge planner for almost 5 years in the re-entry department in a large maximum correctional facility, a good portion of my work day includes the filing of disability and medical benefits for offenders that suffer from mental health and medical disabilities before they release back to the community. Through God’s power He has given me the strength to work with some of the roughest individuals and to see me through each situation I encounter. I look into their eyes and see human emotion exhibited flowing to the top as we visit and build trust with each other. It is an important part of the visit to listen, acknowledge and offer the gifts I can give especially myself. I have had many tell me or send me a note of thanks for being there as someone who cared, This work can appear to be uncomfortable for some, but with God, nothing is impossible or uncomfortable, as this is God’s mission field and He has called me. Each day as I enter this facility, I whisper a prayer that I may make a difference in a life of one of His children.
God calls us to go in the direction that He has for us and to the mission field that He has set up to use our gifts and talents for His service. It may be uncomfortable and we do not understand, but God knows and will show Himself if we trust as we take this journey through life. We may not know the final location on this earth, but His final place for us is one with many rooms
Prayer
God lead us in your direction and show us your path each day so that we may glorify your name in all we say and do so others will follow the path of Jesus. Amen
My name is Ann Ferguson and I became a Christian in November 1982, four weeks after moving back to live with my dad in Dunfermline. I never realised as I gave my heart to Jesus that night and got prayed over how my life would change and surprisingly not always for the best.
I started to attend our local church of Scotland church in Abbeyview, Dunfermline and enjoyed the Sunday services. At firstI attended the morning service only and then eventually as God led me to the evening service.
The minister's wife worked at the faith mission bookshop in Dunfermline and got me a job as a volunteer there two days a week. I loved it and eventually, because I was unemployed at the time started to work more hours there.
In the church I started attending the women's guild and helping with the Sunday school. I also helped with the cleaning rota of the church and occasionally with the teas and coffees on a Sunday.
When we had children's missionsI would be helping as well.
Unknown to me my body couldn't take the toll of all the physical activities I was undertaking and in June of 1984 I think, not sure of exact date, I took to my bed with depression and ended up in Strathedene hospital near Cupar, Fife which is about 40 miles away.
I was in hospital for at least a fortnight. I couldn't function at all. I remember thinking that I had let God down and he was angry with me!!!!!!!
I started to read a romance story i had with me and then eventually managed to start reading my bible again.
I had no idea what was going on and was very frightened.
I was afraid of the nurses and doctors and was not willing
to trust them at that time. The only person I truly trusted was Jesus!!!!!!!
Whilst in the hospital I attended the morning services on the Sunday morning. Interestingly the first sermon I have never been to remember but the second was a breath of fresh air to me.
The minister told us the story of the woman with the blood disorder that touched Jesus and Jairus's daughter. Somehow I knew God was talking to me and giving me hope for my healing.
After lunch I went for a walk on the border of the hospital and sat in a cornfield. I had with me my St Ninian's newsletter and my bible. The passage was, wait for it, Jairus's daughter again and about healing.
After I got home from hospital I shared this with my minister. He didn't say anything and neither did I because at that time I wasn't able to ask questions as I had so much fear in me.
It has only been after much Christian counselling, prayer, healing and deliverance that I am able to share my healing.
God is good and has been with me through all my life only I didn't realise that at the time.
My daily bread notes have been a blessing to me over the years and when I have had bouts of depression I used to just read the notes without reading my bible and I got some comfort from them. Thank you for daily bread notes and may they be an inspiration to us all as we continually walk daily with the Lord Jesus.
Yours in Christ,
Ann Ferguson
ReadIt was a beautiful Easter morning and I had attended the Sunrise Easter Service not far from my home. The past year had been very rough due to losing my husband of cancer one year this particular month. His illness and departure had came within a five month period, one I wasn't expecting. I had been struggling to receive answers by going to church, reading my Bible at times, and being around family and friends. This all helped some, but didn't fill the emptiness inside of me. On this particular day after arriving home from church and feeling somewhat better, due to knowing this day was our Remembrance of our Lord's Resurrection. I decided to watch the second service on television after returning home from church. They were showing Jesus carrying the cross in which brought me great sorrow. I started crying and looking up above the television, and then I cried out, I do believe you arose from the dead. At that moment a beautiful presence came in the room and I knew it was him (Jesus) and he let me know, he indeed was alive. Not seeing a person or hearing someone speak out, it was more like a quick presence and inner voice to my heart and soul that he spoke to me. I was filled with love, peace, joy and assurance in knowing that our Dear Lord lives and is with me every moment. My life began to change for the better and I have never been the same. This encounter was so special to me because of all days, He visited me on Easter and at the time I most needed to fill His presence!
ReadToday's reading: Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
I used to always wonder why my neighbor takes up two parking spaces on our block. Aaliyah always had to park in front of her house. So it didn't matter to her if she took up two parking spaces. Aaliyah has a small car, so I didn't understand why she never left space for another car to park. If she received a space when she arrived home from work, she would always park super close to the car behind her. I was debating whether to say something to her about it, but I declined. Instead, I decided to let her witness my actions. Actions speak louder than words. I live in Philadelphia, PA and recently we had an ice storm. It was so bad that it took two hours or more to dig ourselves out of our respective parking spots. Another neighbor helped me to dig my car out of my spot. Aaliyah was outside around the same time we were. I decided after my car was out, to help her. Needless to say, Aaliyah, was so grateful. To this day, she no longer takes up two parking spaces. I learned that day, that a little kindness goes a very long way.
Thank you Father God that it is all about you and never about us!!!!!!!!
ReadIn our daily conversational language, we hardly use this word, "Appropriate".
So, to some of us, its meaning might not be very clear.
The Webster Handy College Dictionary gives the word, "appropriate" as a verb, meaning:
(1) allot (money) for a specific use [such as for, tithing, emergency days, etc.]
(2) take possession of. [citizenship granted to immigrants]
And as an adjective, the meaning is "suitable, applicable".
The subject that I wish to share with you all is, "how to take possession of someone's love for you".
Let me start with a reference to the gospel according to John. In passages of 13:23, 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20, we read a common refrain, "the disciple Jesus loved".
This is an adjective clause of himself, John, the author of the book, Gospel of John.
You would be forgiven, if you were to secretly say to yourself, "Wasn't John a bit thick skinned to self-claim as "...the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved". (John 20:2a)
Some preachers would even emphasize that among the 12 disciples, indeed, John must have been the most loved by Jesus, for that is what the Bible recorded in prints.
I have mulled over this expression, "the disciple Jesus loved ".
Actually, the writer, John could have just written, "myself or I" in those instances. But, no, he wrote 4 words instead of just one word to refer himself to the readers of the book.
Why? Let us find out.
The following are the resultant thoughts of my deliberations.
Firstly, it is erroneous to believe and worse still, to teach an erroneous application that Jesus had loved John more than the other disciples because the Bible has categorically
stated that "For God does not show favoritism." (Romans 2:11).
Therefore, it is very safe to believe and teach that Jesus loved all the disciples equally, even, the very one, who would betray Him with a kiss in the garden of Gethsemane, for the reward of mere thirty pieces of silver.
Secondly, this unique reference of "the disciple Jesus loved" is found only in the gospel of John and not in all the other books.
This shows us that the allusion of John being the especially loved disciple of Jesus, was of his own citation /authority, and not a perception upheld by the other disciples.
In other words, the other disciples did not sense or feel it that way (that Jesus loved John more than others).
Therefore, it has to do with how John appropriated Jesus' love for him, in order, for him to come forth to declare himself as, "the one whom Jesus loved".
Herein is a precious lesson for all of us - how to take possession of love from another person?
Needless to say, John would have known, realized and sensed keenly that Jesus loved equally everybody else. Yet, at the same time, he had felt the full force/weight of Jesus' love, as if, intentionally /calculated just for him alone /solely.
I am inclined to believe that whenever John interacted with Jesus, he must have savored the preciousness and greatness of Jesus' love for him.
John had, in essence, tasted and enjoyed Jesus' love as an invaluable /costly, beyond any price commodity; and the converse consequence was being humbled and felt very undeserving.
[I reckon, when John wrote the book, he had already known that Jesus was the Son of God, sent to be The Sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world. In the same way as declared by Peter, "It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God." (1Peter 1:19)]
And as he grew in appreciation for Jesus' love, he had not for a moment felt that he was a recipient of only a shadow fraction of love from Jesus.
I would not be surprised at all that his experience was similar to the multiplication of the 5 loaves and 2 fish that finally fed over 5,000 men (not counting the women and children).
Or, he could have felt Jesus' love oozing and filling him all over him with warmth, much like the froth that overflows from a mug of beer /lager.
You could be like me, if you give careful thoughts to identify /determine the underlying factors for John to appropriate /take possession of Jesus' love in such awesome manner.
I have no shadow of a doubt that John,
never looked /compared himself with others; for if Jesus were to love someone else more, what is that to him?
would not begrudge Jesus, the benefactor for what He would endow on others; and may even rejoice for them;
was grateful for whatever that was on the receiving end with which he was landed with;
that comes with an attitude/ true sense of being undeserving of Jesus' love; after all, he was just a mere fisherman, while Jesus was Son of God;
probably he would be telling his own soul, that in reality, Jesus did not need to love him, if He does not want to; such a stance would orientate him to appreciate hugely whatever love he could receive from Jesus;
was able to look out, recognize and note tokens of love from every word /action from Jesus in his every day's occurrences.
must have felt so special and exceptional, much akin to what my 2+-year-old granddaughter, Isabelle, who told off her young girl, who came visiting and was coming close to me, she stood and said, "this is my grandma" (with increased tone emphasizing on "my". Implying that I was her grandma and not anybody else's, much less for that girl; and after her declaration, she validated with a gesture. She moved from where she was sitting, walked passed that little girl to where I was sitting on the floor, and took a seat on my lap with her back leaning very close to my chest, much like settling a territorial dispute ritual!
Yes, we ought to feel possessive of Jesus' love for us to the extent that we would declare to the world that "I am the One whom Jesus loved".
God Bless You All!
Best Regards,
mary
Read"And let us be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if you faint not." Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
My grandson Omari had finally achieved his long sought after goal of playing high school football, in which he hoped would one day be the precursor to a great college football career. Every since he could hold a football he trained in the summer's heat, winter's cold, and everything in between for as long as I can remember. Everyone in our family knew Omari would reach his goal one day because of the dedication to his passion. Senior year is important especially for athletes because it's the last opportunity to showcase talent for college scouts looking to recruit for scholarships. During his senior year Omari was not given much playing time because his team had recruited new players. Omari's team made the championship that year but he and other long time teammates would not be playing in the biggest game of the year. The new recruits would play instead and Omari would be among others who would be on the sideline even though their hard work in earlier games had helped get the team to that point. My grandson was hurt beyond words, felt it was unfair and wanted to give up. I prayed and God gave me these words for him. "Omari, this is like a relay race and some are a better fit for positions than others. Someone has to be the first, second, third and fourth leg." "You and others have been the first, second, and third leg to get your team to this point. Now you must gladly hand off the baton to someone else who may be stronger, faster and has a better chance to first cross the finish line. You and the other teammates are still an important part of the team and need to be there to encourage the players when they are tired, weary, and may feel like giving up. " "And if your team wins the championship every team member will get the exact same championship ring." I went to that big game and it bought tears to my eyes to see Omari on the side line yelling, encouraging and motivating his teammates who seemed at one point to be knocked completely out of the water. But in spite of what looked like a losing situation in the beginning, Omari's team pulled through and won the state championship! Omari was estactic and so was I as I watched Omari, his teammates, coaches and fans run onto the field in total hysteria!!!! And in spite of Omari not getting much playing time on the field that year he was recruited by a Christian college and given a scholarship to play college football! Lesson learned.
So it is in our Christian walk when we put our own feelings of hurt and disappointment aside to encourage someone else. We will always reap God's bountiful blessings when we lay aside our own earnest desires to motivate others who may be better at getting the job done. God does not forget our labor of love when we sacrifice through our own tears to applaud the efforts of others. It may seem as though all our hard work has been overlooked by man but they will always be noticed by our God.
Father, when it seems we are overlooked, hurt and disappointed help us to put our own feelings aside to encourage those who may need a kind word or a gentle touch. Help us to push aside our own goals at times to help others reach theirs in Jesus name. Amen.
Read"And let us be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if you faint not." Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
My grandson Omari had finally achieved his long sought after goal of playing high school football, in which he hoped would one day be the precursor to a great college football career. Every since he could hold a football he trained in the summer's heat, winter's cold, and everything in between for as long as I can remember. Everyone in our family knew Omari would reach his goal one day because of the dedication to his passion. Senior year is important especially for athletes because it's the last opportunity to showcase talent for college scouts looking to recruit for scholarships. During his senior year Omari was not given much playing time because his team had recruited new players. Omari's team made the championship that year but he and other long time teammates would not be playing in the biggest game of the year. The new recruits would play instead and Omari would be among others who would be on the sideline even though their hard work in earlier games had helped get the team to that point. My grandson was hurt beyond words, felt it was unfair and wanted to give up. I prayed and God gave me these words for him. "Omari, this is like a relay race and some are a better fit for positions than others. Someone has to be the first, second, third and fourth leg." "You and others have been the first, second, and third leg to get your team to this point. Now you must gladly hand off the baton to someone else who may be stronger, faster and has a better chance to first cross the finish line. You and the other teammates are still an important part of the team and need to be there to encourage the players when they are tired, weary, and may feel like giving up. " "And if your team wins the championship every team member will get the exact same championship ring." I went to that big game and it bought tears to my eyes to see Omari on the side line yelling, encouraging and motivating his teammates who seemed at one point to be knocked completely out of the water. But in spite of what looked like a losing situation in the beginning, Omari's team pulled through and won the state championship! Omari was estactic and so was I as I watched Omari, his teammates, coaches and fans run onto the field in total hysteria!!!! And in spite of Omari not getting much playing time on the field that year he was recruited by a Christian college and given a scholarship to play college football! Lesson learned.
So it is in our Christian walk when we put our own feelings of hurt and disappointment aside to encourage someone else. We will always reap God's bountiful blessings when we lay aside our own earnest desires to motivate others who may be better at getting the job done. God does not forget our labor of love when we sacrifice through our own tears to applaud the efforts of others. It may seem as though all our hard work has been overlooked by man but they will always be noticed by our God.
Father, when it seems we are overlooked, hurt and disappointed help us to put our own feelings aside to encourage those who may need a kind word or a gentle touch. Help us to push aside our own goals at times to help others reach theirs in Jesus name. Amen.
ReadHoly Spirit Calling
I love that I have learned to listen to the Holy Spirit and to follow it’s leading. I also love to recognize how God set us up to use us like this experience with my broken iPhone.
Right before Thanksgiving the screen on my iPhone shattered. My wonderful friends the Drakes surprised me with an early birthday/Christmas present and gave me the money to have it fixed.
The Tuesday before Thanksgiving I called to make an appointment to have it fixed at the Knox Street Apple store. I was informed the soonest I could get an appointment would be at the North Park Mall store at 3:25 pm on Sunday. The Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend at North Park Mall. Holy cow, I am pretty darn sure that would be like one of Dante's nine levels of hell, but I accepted it. The Apple operator also told me I could walk in off the street and chance getting an appointment. That oh so familiar “still small voice” said “go now.”
Off I went to the Knox Street Apple store with high hopes. I patiently stood in line and was told I could come back in three and a half hours and have it fixed. BINGO! That was perfect. I could go do my Thanksgiving grocery shopping as well as some other errands and get my phone fixed all in the same day.
Upon my return to the Apple Store I was guided to a communal table where the Apple tech would be helping me and a young lady. A beautiful young lady, a brunet in her late twenties, with a pixie haircut, two full sleeves of tattoos and a pierced nose.
As the tech expertly simultaneously handled both of our phone issues I noticed the young lady was really discombobulated. I noticed she was in tears and said “Honey, what is wrong?” She proceeded pour her heart out to me and tell me she never thought she’d be getting herself out of an abusive situation. I am guessing her broken phone had something to do with the abusive man. I asked her if she talked to God and told if she didn’t this would be a good time to start and that He would protect her.
Her name was Laura and she told me she was trying to be a writer to which I responded “Me, too!” She said also wrote poetry and I responded “ Me, too!” She then said she had been chaste before this relationship to which I laughed and said “Me, too, I still am.” I asked her if she would like to go have coffee and talk while our phones were being fixed. She replied “ Yes!” and the Apple tech quietly said under his breath “This is cool.”
For an hour and a half she talked about her life and I talked to her about God and how He would see her through all of this. I told her my own experiences and how God took care of me. Laura asked me where I went to church and although she wasn’t Catholic she had always wanted a rosary. She asked me if there was a Mass on Thanksgiving and would I go with her? I told her “Honey, if you show up I will go with you.”
As we exchanged contact information her mother called and she said “Mom, I met a lady and we’ve been talking about God. I’ll be home soon” We hugged goodbye and she was on her way. I texted her later to make sure she got home to Ft.Worth in time to pick up her little boy. She texted that she was stuck in traffic and “Thank you for walking into that store today.” God sure knew what He was doing when my iPhone screen shattered.
I didn’t hear from Laura on Thanksgiving but I sent her a rosary, a booklet on how to say it, a copy of Jesus Calling, a journal for her poetry and told her to keep in touch. I hope she does. I’m also glad I keep in touch with the Holy Spirit and follow its promptings. You never know where God is going to lead you.
So this morning I spent some time repairing an old drill I have. (I currently have 3 but I like this one) I had acquired this tool when someone had written it off years ago because it had a frayed cord. I used this drill for years before the cord finally gave up (and probably would have shocked me. So this morning I sat down to repair it. I realized when I was putting this too back together after my tinkering that I had been using a screwdriver, someone had thrown away and that I actually found in a bag of leaves. Leaves that were set at the curb to be disposed of but I took home for compost in my garden. I don't say all this to brag or boast but it made me think that someone out there might feel beyond repair, broken, thrown away, and disposed. But there is One out there to fix you, repair you, give you a purpose and use you!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
I married at 27 to a fellow who never told me prior to the marriage, he had mental health issues. 6 years into this marriage, I was informed he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had been hospitalized and diagnosed. As time progresses, my son was put in a religious school. His insanity pushed this young boy to act out and refused to attend. Throughout his schooling problems continued to escalate. I was as a horse in blinders, unable to see where this unacceptable behavior came from. Prior to the husband appearance, we attended church regularly, we were happy and adjusted and with God.
Forward to 2013 I discovered he was sleeping with my son step granddaughter of21 years. Became angry and acted out in unhealthy behavior, unable to say the words of accused actions. He had me in such tremors and gained weight from stress, always his way. Under his thumb, no God in the marriage, no amount of begging would allow me to seek our maker. Since that time a 35 years of union, I have been abandoned, he initially lived with her, now apart. When I got my first apt, one morning I was woken up with a loud voice. "The devil has left you" this was the voice of God, freeing me of decades of emotional abuses and realizing what I had wasted my son & I mental sanity. Now on the verge of 2017. I'm happier with Jesus tha I could imagine. My current problem is anixity dreams of his abuse, lies, thieving and financial ruin. I awake in the middle of night praising Jesus to clear my mind. Have attended Celebrate Recovery and will attend again. I told him ( through voice mail) I could of chosen drugs. alcohol or immoral lifestyle, I choose God instead. He won't speak to me, find it hard to pay lawyer for divorce, as I enjoyed being married may be the reason I don't want a divorce. I must get one as he has medical bills, that find me. Wisconsin in no fault state, that would be one big reason. I will not take him back as he is the devil and my eyes are open now. I have been blessed so much from God, thank Him 24/7/365 please advise
A Christmas to Remember
The true meaning of Christmas was revealed to me years ago. That Christmas found me as a newly single mother of a beautiful blonde-haired, blue-eyed daughter of three. Trying to juggle rent, utilities, groceries, bills, and a child was putting a serious strain on finances. Many times I would skip meals so my child would have a full meal to eat.
Every parent wishes to give their child the best that they can. So it is no wonder that my heart was breaking when I had no choice but to pull her onto my lap and tell my little girl that there was no Santa. I explain to her while holding back my tears that I was Santa and I could not afford to put any presents under the tree for her or feed her a real Christmas dinner.
God truly blessed me with a daughter that is my earth-bound angel. In the beautiful innocence of a child, she told me, “It’s ok Mom. You can just wrap up some of my stuffed animals from my room and put them under the tree. I’ll forget what is under there by Christmas.” I was amazed and humbled by her response to our situation. So I told her to get into my jewelry box and cosmetics and wrap up some of my things for a present for me.
Christmas day came. I managed to purchase cornbread mix and macaroni and cheese in a box for $.25 per box each. After we ate our dinner of macaroni and cheese, and cornbread, we sang “Happy Birthday Jesus”, we spent the evening trying to outdo each other with every present we opened with “It is just what I wanted!” and expressions of surprise. The laughter grew throughout the processes until our sides hurt.
Later that night after she had gone to sleep and I could reflect on the Christmas we shared, I cried for not being able to give her what I thought she deserved and spoiling the “Santa” fairytale, but then it dawned on me what a great present God had given me and I cried for joy.
How often do you find the true meaning of Christmas? The pure and innocent spirit of a child reminded me that it isn’t about the presents, but the sharing the love that Christ has for us that is Christmas.
The following year was not much better financially. Preparing for another barren Christmas, my daughter and I went to the Christmas service at church to worship the one who’s birthday we celebrate. When we arrived home from church and walked to the front door of our mobile home, I noticed a bag of trash on our front doorstep. Irritated that someone could be cruel on the holidays, I went to throw the bag to the side. But as I reached for the bag, a label caught my eye. The label read my daughter’s name. We looked at each other curious. I helped her open the bag. Inside was a new dress, an easy bake oven, and several color books and games.
If you have ever wondered if the donations you give make a difference, let me assure you they do. Although I know Jesus is the reason for the season, those toys and clothes relieve the stress of a mother that cannot provide and joy to a child that had come to expect nothing.
You were Jesus to someone in need.
Fifteen years passed since that time. We have been blessed and have much more than we could ever have expected. We both remember it as one of the best Christmas’ we ever had. I pray you have Christmas to remember.
Jamie Nicolelli
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