Isn't God cool?!

This Christmas season has been a little different from Christmases in the past.  To put it simply, we have a lot on our minds....and hearts.

It has been so special to spend time reading again about Jesus' birth and all that led up to that wondrous moment....the way God worked miracle after miracle with common, everyday people like you and me...all in preparation for the world to welcome his dearly loved Son.  Such a loving, amazing, undeserved gift!  As we near Christmas day I am so very thankful that God looked past all our dirty mess to offer his precious, spotless Son.

This week we have been busy here with a piano recital, cookie baking, preparing for family to visit, and wrapping gifts.  Amidst all this activity, there seems to be a continuous script running through the back of my mind.  It goes: "What is the next step?  What form do we need to fill out?  What fee do we need to pay?  What fundraisers do we need to plan?  What appointments do we need to schedule?", etc.  These thoughts are always present in my mind.  I also wonder where our little girl is right now: is she warm enough?, does she have enough to eat?, does she have anyone to hold her and rock her to sleep?, is she lonely?, is she scared?.....it just keeps going like that through my head....and heart.

So today, as I began the process of wrapping gifts, I headed to the "wrapping bin" full of bags, boxes and bows with all these thoughts heavy on my heart.  As I was digging toward the bottom of the bin for that perfectly sized bow, I came
across this...

"Do not be anxious about anything; but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.  Philippians 4:6

And that is why I titled this post "Isn't God cool?!"  I don't remember ever seeing this little plaque in our home.  It just showed up today in the wrapping paper bin as I was looking for a bow and feeling anxious about what our next step needs to be.  The next verse after this reads: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Wow!  What a promise!  Give your worries to God, thank Him for all He has done and will do, and receive His peace!

Thank you, God, for hearing me, knowing me, loving me, and offering me this little gift today to remind me that you are right here with us and that the same hope you gave us many years ago in infant form is still here today!