John 16:33 - "Blessings"

What a blessed day at Gateway Saturday with giving toys to approximately 486 children in a three hour time span. Three of my favorite stories of the day were ones that touched me deeply. The first one was a mommy who came in with five children listed. I told her I was sorry but we could only provide gifts for four children. This was at the beginning when there were some rather large gifts available. Instead of choosing the large gifts she asked if she could take a pack of 3 balls and a pack of 6 matchbox cars and make 3 gifts out of the 2. That is exactly what we did. I opened them up and the wrappers got them taken care of. That was a mommy who truly was blessed with our efforts. The second story was a dad who had three teenagers with him. He was there to buy for his two little girls and his ten year old son. He was at the end and we had run out of boy gifts. After choosing his girl gifts we went to the game table where everyone was allowed one game, puzzle or book per family. Once again we were down to hardly anything left. He picked up a set of dominoes and debated but then saw a game of Spoons. This game cost $1 at the Dollar Store. He got excited and said oh his son loves to play Spoons with the family so he set the Dominoes down and took the Spoons game. A $1 game for a 10 year old boy…wow how many children would get excited over that? The third story was a mommy who was at the end and I’m sure was tired after waiting for hours. We probably looked tired too after serving all day. She apologized to the lady wrapping and said she could just take them unwrapped so we wouldn’t have to bother. I loved the response from the wrapper, “Absolutely not! You are no bother at all! This is what we are here for!” Oh how I love to see people being Jesus to others. John 16:33 reads…

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Yes! He is greater than anything that comes our way. His peace will only be known when we know Him. He did not die on the cross just so we could live. He died on the cross so we could live a life of peace. There may not be peace in this world of turmoil in the human sense but there can be peace in our hearts when we surrender to His will and to His way. 

It seems like this time of year brings out ugliness in relationships. People get angry so easy, words get said that people wish they would not have said, stress builds because of family dynamics or lack of finances, etc. But beyond the ‘normal’ holiday stress I am praying for some serious situations…

• The family who are dealing with today being the anniversary date of the loss of two family members along with it being the birthday of another family member who was taken from this earth
• The man who is under such stress in his job and is losing hope…his family who are walking on egg shells.
• Several parents with small children: one with their little guy at the hospital; another watching their little guy go through treatments; another watching their little girl suffer through treatments; another with their little guy recuperating from heart surgery
• The couple who are at odds on parenting
• The teens who being allowed by their parents to not be involved in church activities
• The young lady who is being torn apart by her mother’s words and actions
• The teen whose world is falling apart due to addiction and divorce in her parents
• The families who are facing their first holiday with a loved one on this earth
• The couple with both mothers having serious health issues

The stories are all around us of people going through tough days. The best thing we can do is pray for them first to be in relationship with the Lord and second to pray they will surrender their lives to Him. Their troubles will not go away but His peace will be found in them.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for yesterday…the trials of the day and the blessings of the day. Thank You for the girls who came and did the candy bags. Thank You for the other girls who came and dipped pretzels. Thank You for the strength You provided for me yesterday. Father, today is a new day. Fill me to overflowing…be my words…be my actions…be my attitude. I pray every time the enemy tries to mess me up with the thoughts of people’s words You will block him from doing so. Thank You Jesus for being My Peace. Amen.