When we arrived home from our Christmas Eve service this card was waiting in the mail for me. It was another one of those "shaking my head" moments. The sermon title that evening: "Joy to the World!", the same sentiment as the front of this card.
This has been an exhausting and emotional year. As I sat in that pew, the church dimly lit, the last thing on my mind quite frankly was joy. I listened with an open heart, asking (begging) God to let me receive the joy of my salvation once more.
We drove home and my heart didn't feel any relief. And then I opened this card. I am sharing it because I don't want to forget it and just maybe it will encourage you.
Inside was hand written:
God has many gifts wrapped just for you and waiting under His Tree...all the gift tags have your name on them!
There's the gift of hope that brings renewed confidence in the truth that you will continue to see the goodness of the LORD in the coming days;
the gift of joy that prevails even when sorrow is deep and despair seems like it's at the door just waiting to come in;
the gift of peace which brings something beyond your understanding to the chaos of life and gives a quietness to the soul that looks like the lake on a perfectly calm morning;
the gift of love that shows you that nothing can separate you from God and reminds you that He absolutely and completely adores you.
And so many more... Untie those ribbons, rip off the paper and enjoy His "presence"! You are loved.
There's the gift of hope that brings renewed confidence in the truth that you will continue to see the goodness of the LORD in the coming days;
the gift of joy that prevails even when sorrow is deep and despair seems like it's at the door just waiting to come in;
the gift of peace which brings something beyond your understanding to the chaos of life and gives a quietness to the soul that looks like the lake on a perfectly calm morning;
the gift of love that shows you that nothing can separate you from God and reminds you that He absolutely and completely adores you.
And so many more... Untie those ribbons, rip off the paper and enjoy His "presence"! You are loved.
A clear reminder that He has given us all we need. Did you see "joy" tucked there in the middle? God answered the cry of this unbelieving heart and I received joy this Christmas Eve. May the Lord grant you the same sweet relief in the knowledge that He has so many good things just waiting for you to "unwrap". May your gaze be on the goodness of the Lord and off of the sorrow of this life. May you live life with JOY each day in 2014. You are loved!
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