 After singing some Christmas carols and hearing about baby Jesus, the Kindergarten Sunday school class was given the assignment to draw a picture of the "manger scene". Each one with a crayon in hand began to express what they thought it would look like. As the teacher went around the room to view the artwork, she came across little Susie's picture which only had one circle in the top right corner. "Oh honey, you are supposed to draw a picture of when Jesus was born." "I did!" as Susie's face lit up with excitement while pointing at her circle. "That's my round, yon virgin!"
What is your perception of Christmas? Susie wasn't sure what a "round, yon virgin" was but she did understand what round was! As you read this, you might be hurrying around trying to get last-minute details done. Maybe you are "stressed out" wishing you had more money to get gifts for those you love and wondering how you are going to pay your bills too! Are you looking at your glass as half empty and seeing what you don't have instead of what the Lord has given you? Start with what you do understand, like Susie! If you are alone, look for others, with similar situations as yourself, and do something with them! Give what you need! What you sow, you will certainly reap! "Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows [a]generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed]." 2 Corinthians 9:6 (AMP)
My first Christmas in Tennessee after Sonny moved to Heaven was a big transition! I had moved from California where I had lived for 40 years to a new place where the only people I knew was my son and his family. Joining their church helped acquaint me with others and participating in their single group made me feel young again! But when the holidays came, I felt myself wanting to be sad and retreat. I remember sitting on the floor crying and telling the Lord "I've never felt so alone as I do now!" "What do I do?" And then this idea came to me. I would find other singles in the church that also were alone and invite them over to my place. I would make it a potluck dinner so that I would not have to provide all the food, but we could have fellowship! I sowed what I needed, and their needs and mine were met!
Another Christmas I found out that the Knoxville Rescue Mission served Christmas breakfast to the homeless. I shared with another family and a friend what I wanted to do, and they joined me. With our approved applications we got up early and headed to the poor part of town. I felt like I was giving Jesus His "breakfast in bed" so to speak for His special day! What an amazing time we had! Jesus said, "If you do it to the least of these, you are doing it unto me!" These precious ones are not "least" in God's eyes but in the eyes of society (and their own) they many times seem to be! This was life-changing for all of us as we gave out of our hearts that Christmas morning.
You must be pro-active! Don't sit and wait for others to reach out to you! Recognize your need and go to the Lord who alone can meet it! Ask Him to show you how to reach out to others with what you have or can do. Start with just being kind! Look for ways to be a blessing! Without money? Wrap up notes as gifts for those you want to give to! (Example: "This is good for one day of babysitting" or "This certificate is worth 10 hugs!") Be creative! Refuse to be sad! Choose to be a blessing! Be grateful! That's what we all can understand! Where is your "round, yon, virgin?"
At Anna's Gate, we see lives changed. We don't enable but instead empower widows of all types to be powerful, not pitiful! I love it when I hear, "Thank you for giving me my life back" when they think they had no purpose! At the end of 2018 please sow into good soil at Anna's Gate to empower widows globally! (www.annasgate.org/donate) Send us your prayer requests also so that our prayer warriors can agree with you for this new year! (If mailing your offering, please use our physical address.)
Remember you are loved; You are not alone; And that some of us are round! :)
Merry Christmas from all of us at Anna's Gate to you and that you see your glass not just half full but filling up and running over!!
Be sure to read the Torah portions below that Jesus read during this time in history! There is always something that relates to us in our place in history now! That's so amazing to me!
Find out more about the month of Tevet on our website
. Please email us your area of passion and the skill you desire to be developed so that we can agree with you in prayer!
(
[email protected]
)
This is your time to excel into your greater potential!
We would also like to invite you to send us a brief testimony
(written or filmed on your smart phone)
of how God has used Anna's Gate
to help you and to reach your realm of influence.
(Put "Testimony" on the subject line).
If filmed, please make it only 1 to 2 minutes.
We would love to hear from you!
Read what Jesus read on this week in History!
When you make a purchase using A
mazon Smile, a part of your purchase amount is given to support the work Anna's Gate does. We appreciate your using these businesses and in the process blessing Anna's Gate.
Click above image for details.
"I invite you to visit my personal Facebook page (CarolMarie Smith), where I post videos and insights open to the public that will help you continue to grow! We also film and post the Tuesday meetings on Facebook that compliment what I share in our weekly Cup of Empowerment."
|
