God's Christmas Gift....

So as I said, God has blessed us with many wonderful things of late. Not sure of where to exactly start, I'll begin with the latest and move backwards...

I really had no idea how we were going to swing Christmas this year. The end of November brought the painful decision to list our home for a short sell - money was simply scare for anything not necessary. I had $300.00 owed to me for some contracting work I had completed, I thought at least I'd be able to use that money for a few gifts. Then, life threw another curve...

I serve in a leadership position for a national bible study I attend. This year they have a weekend retreat happening and I'm expected to go. The cost is $350.00. The deadline for the payment was December 6th. Boy did I struggle with this one. I had money coming to me that would cover the cost, but what about Christmas, God? Now what was I suppose to use to pay for some gifts? Prior to Thanksgiving I resigned myself to write the check for the retreat when the date came trusting God would work something out. And work it out He did.

I have an annual shopping date the day after Thanksgiving with one of my girlfriends. The purpose really is to spend the time together, if we get great deals and purchase Christmas gifts, it's a bonus. Knowing that I had these plans with my friend, my Mom gave me a check (against my protests) so that I could do some shopping. I did not look at the amount until I returned home - the check was for $300.00. God provided. 

In all honesty, I was still struggling with this amount. I have an eleven and a twelve year old. They are very aware of our financial situation - but they are preteens none the less and their Christmas list was typical of their age. Our family knows very well what this time of year really is about, and we all say out loud how we wish we could get back to focusing on the real reason for the season..... but.... we all know that most everyone around us is sticking to the over spending over indulging idea that Christmas has become, and as a mother, I want my children to be excited and joyful Christmas morning with the rest of their friend. 

Because I'm now working part time, and I was a bit paralyzed with how I was going to make this money stretch and get them gifts under the tree. For the first time in at least five years, come December 17th I still had not purchased one gift. I was a bit stressed to say the least...

The evening of Dec 17th a friend of ours asked my husband if he could have a minute. Rick was running out the door to get to FedEx in time and told him he would come over after he was done. He ran his errand, came home and headed down the street to see what he needed. When he came home a while later, our friend had told my husband that God had laid it on his heart to give us this gift, and he handed Rick some folded up bills and told him to go buy gifts for our kids. God had gifted us through our friend $400.00. I don't think I've shed so many tears of appreciation in one evening. It was a very emotional night to say the least. God had provided...

Because of the gracious loving nature of Our Heavenly Father, our children ended up having a wonderful Christmas. God had blessed us with what we needed....