Merry Christmas from Heaven

I finally found Jim's special box. I had packed it away in a closet when we rearranged rooms many months ago. And I was blessed to find it again full of love notes he had kept. There were dozens and dozens of cards and letters, when we were first dating, in our first year of marriage, and of seasoned love........there was words written of passion, of encouragement, of explaination, of apology. It was a trip down memory lane, an interesting and healing trip. I saw how I had grown deeper in love with Jim and grown stronger in Christ. What a treasure to find on Christmas! It was as if Jim and Jesus had sent me this package from Heaven.

Merry Christmas

As we celebrate the birth of Christ here on earth, let us remember that the Baby who grew up to be a Man was the Son of GOD. Christ Jesus took our punishment and died on the cross for you and me. Then He arose from the grave. Now Lord Jesus sits at God's right hand awaiting all those who put their faith and trust in HIM. The manger is empty, the cross is empty, and the tomb is empty. So Heaven could be full. Is your heart empty? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. Then when your time on earth is done, you will live with Him and add to the fullness of Heaven.

Watching Out for Children

One child ran one way around our vehicle and the other scampered around the other way. Meanwhile, little Snipp was demanding my attention. I couldn't see the older two boys and cars were zooming around like swarming bees in the grocery store parking lot. I shouted for them to be careful and get in our vehicle. When the neighboring truck cautiously backed out and rolled down his window, I saw the face of my high school Spanish teacher. "It's okay, Christy, I'm watching out for them," he said kindly. As he drove away, God spoke to my heart.

"It's okay, Christine, I'm watching out for them." Every parent I know worries about their children. I think single parents worry more. We know the deep void in our children for the missing parent and we know we can't fill that hole. No one can, only GOD. But God does have a motherly love for our children and He has promised to be the Father to the fatherless. " It's okay; I'm watching out for them." God whispered this promise to me and I take a deep breath of relief. I can't be everywhere and do everything. But my God can!! And He loves these children more than I do. So I try to give Him my worries and cares, and keep pointing these children to the only one that can heal their hurting hearts and fill the empty place in their lives.

Freedom Given By Tears

We often fail to realize the freedom our tears give others.

Recently my boys witnessed someone visiting their father's grave. They were quite in awe for several reasons. First, we can see the grave from our home and we know how infrequent it is visited. Second, this friend stayed at the grave for awhile. It gave the boys and me the opportunity to discuss what grown-ups do or say when they visit a loved one's grave. Thirdly, they saw that it was okay for tough guys to grieve over people they miss. It is okay to still miss them several years after they have died. It's okay to long for them to be here.

All these little things spoke volumes to the boys. It gave them freedom that it is okay for them to still miss Daddy. It is okay to cry over him being gone from us. You see, if others grieve for Daddy still, then surely it is okay for us to miss him also. And there is a great freedom in that!