"Hey God,
Today is December 9th and Christmas is 15 days away. A day set aside in the calendar year where, as Christians, we celebrate Your birth. Honestly though? I feel like I already have had Christmas this year. "Bringing' Christmas to the kids in Zambia last month, was an experience that I will never forget. It made me think that 'if there was a 'real' santa claus, that that would be one of the BEST jobs ever! Bringing gifts to children world wide? How could that not be the best thing?
I then realize, that although 'being santa' would be pretty neat, I (we) have already received that greatest gift ever. God, YOU sent YOUR SON. YOU came down from Heaven and became flesh. You were born to a young, scared couple long a go. When you were born, there was no room for you in the inn even! How could people have been so blinded to have not seen you? or know just how great of a gift, that was about to come? Indeed, You were born in a manger made for animals. The KING of GLORY…born in a manger…
God, I can not wrap my head around that. I think back to the last few weeks that I experienced-with Zambia and all…and I am just blown away at the LOVE you have for me. A love so deep and so true that You would humble yourself to be born in a Manger among animals-to save me. I can not thank you enough for that.
ABBA-You know what sort of week it has been for me. The stories I have heard, the different things and situations that have come up. Its been a whirrrrlwind week of emotions and it would be so easy just to say 'God, I am done with You…being a Christian is too hard". Yet, it is in these moments-when satan is pulling hard at me with everything he has got…that You speak up in that still small voice and whisper to me-
Today and tonight especially-You reminded me of Your love for me once again. I was kissed by an angel tonight. I was Kissed by You. This afternoon was a great time of laughter, fellowship, food and prayer with a few of my youth girls from last year. God, every time I spend time with them, I can see YOU in them and what a blessing it is. What an encouragement it is. Today was no different. I was able to share pieces of Zambia with them, my story of 'little Nikki' who is still heavily on my mind and heart. As one of my girls was leaving today (and in fact, she had just walked out the door), You prompted her to turn around, knock again and give me a hug and pray for me because she felt "God tugging at my heart to pray for you now"-Thank you God for her. For her obedient heart. Bless her for it. Thank you for the tears that flowed from my eyes after she left. Tears of joy and a realization at Your faithfulness.
However, you were not done yet with me God. You prompted another one of 'my girls' from last year to 'randomly' drop off Christmas cookies at my place and to give me yet another hug. It brings me to tears. Simple things. Simple acts of Your love after a week when my heart got broken into so many little pieces. Simple acts of Your love after a week when satan's evil in this world, was quite visible, reminded me that the battle IS already won. Father, YOU won it.
Father, this Christmas, I beg you to help me to NOT get caught up in the materialism that our North American society has made it, but to remember why we celebrate and to celebrate always with JOY and THANKSGIVING that
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6
NIkki"
*Note* With Blogging, there are many different ways to blog and ways to 'make it your own'. I have decided lately, that my blogging, will be in the form of letters to God. In all ways, we are called to worship and praise His name and for myself, letter writing to God has always been a way for me to do this. In this writing, I hope that you too, will be able to get closer to God…to realize that HE is near to you as well. thanks for reading!*
