God's faithfulness is something that I am sure of, and yet, constantly amazed by. Throughout my life, God has never changed...He has been the constant. Life has changed, circumstances change, relationships change, I have changed, the people in my life have changed....but God is always there...unchanging and ever faithful.
As a newly single woman and mother, there are times that I feel frightened, alone, and overwhelmed. God is there to hear my fears and answer them, He comforts me when I feel alone and reminds me that I am not, and brings about a calmness, blessings, encouragement and solutions when I am overwhelmed.
Often the Lord uses the people in my life to bring about the solutions, encouragement and blessings. I am so filled with awe and gratitude for these earthly angels.
In the last week, I received a card from a girlfriend. That's not unusual...she and I correspond quite a bit, and we love to send cards. Inside was a Christmas ornament with a friendship saying and then a note "This is not a Christmas present...this is something to get you through the slump". (She and I decided not to exchange at Christmas a few years ago...although we frequently find reasons to send each other things throughout the year. We simply didn't want to the other to feel overwhelmed during a financially stressful time of year). Anyway...the "UNChristmas present" was a Visa giftcard to use when I needed. I just sat there with tears in my eyes...she has walked the scary road of divorce and single motherhood, and she now walks the road of healing and a new life filled with love. But she remembers...and she is a huge source of blessing, encouragement and friendship in my life.
I also received the blessing of having my lost bifocals replaced. I won't share the person's name just yet, but maybe someday. The message to go pick up something at the clinic was sent privately, and this person is a pretty private individual. I have been wearing my old "backup" pair from years ago, simply because replacing the new pair from last spring was going to be too costly for me at this time. The others, while not that attractive, worked just fine. But I missed my newer ones quite a bit (they were lost in July) and this person simply told me "Merry Christmas". I sat in the parking lot and cried as I put on the new bifocals....I had been blessed in such a huge and generous way. I am so filled with humble gratitude at this gift, but also at the blessing of this person's friendship.
Tonight, on the eve of Casie's college graduation, Linds and I met up with Casie, my parents from Texas, and 2 of my aunts and uncles for an early Christmas dinner at a restaurant. The hugs, laughter and conversation that soon filled the table were heartwarming and encouraging in a way that only the familiarity of family ties can bring. The girls and I met up with Mom and Dad a little after dinner at their hotel and visited. While the girls were opening up birthday presents (both have December birthdays), Mom pointed to a beautifully wrapped gift on the coffee table. Cellophane with snowflakes and a big gorgeous red ribbon tied up this beautiful package. She told me that one of her friends in my hometown of Grand Prairie, Texas, who I have come to know through my mom, sent it for me. As I untied the beautiful bow, I was already touched not even knowing what it was. Just the thought of someone that I have only recently, in the last few years, come to know and only see when I go home for a visit, yet was kind enough to send a gift, was already causing a lump in my throat. Tied to the bow was a beautiful cross ornament with a butterfly and the word "HOPE" dangling from it. I love the symbol of the butterfly...something beautiful emerging from a caterpillar and cocoon. It just fills me with hope for new possibilities. And of course, the symbol of the cross...the power of the Savior's love, is very important in my life. And I haven't even OPENED the package yet! Inside the cellphane was a gorgeous bronzed tin with a cross on it and the words "FAITH". This round tin is one that can sit out on a table all year long...it is simply beautiful. And inside were the most scrumptious homemade buttery cookies in the shape of Christmas trees that I have ever tasted. We sat around the hotel room, nibbling (scarfing them down is more like it) on those yummy treats and talking about the giving spirit of the woman who had baked them and put together this gift for me.
As I looked around the room...I felt such enormous love...the love I have for my parents, and they for me. The love I have for my daughters and the love they have for me. The swelling in both my heart and throat were growing by the minute. It was ABUNDANT.
All week long I have felt God's encouragement raining down on me, and the reminder that "I AM TAKING CARE OF YOU". I don't need tangible gifts to know this truth...but this week, God chose to show me in tangible ways. He used these people to lift me up, and I know that they are going to be filling the blessings of the Lord raining down on them. That's the wonderful thing about allowing God to use you in meaningful ways....you not only bless the recipient (me in this case) but God chooses to bless you for being a faithful servant.
Tonight...well, this morning...(I am wide awake at 3:50 am) I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the abundance of encouragement, generosity and love that has been sent my way. And I am praying an abundance of blessing on all of these angels.
