Merry Christmas!

God is so good!

Our day began with Geni, Travis and a guest coming to Mom and Dad’s for Christmas breakfast. I prepared a Christmas table and we enjoyed the meal and the time together.

Dad called me from the hospital to tell me that the Charge Nurse on the floor had made an arrangement with the powers that be to open up a conference room for our Christmas celebration. It was near the cafeteria giving us close access to ice, water and restrooms. It was perfect. There were several tables, plenty of chairs and a side board for all of the food. There were 15 of us for lunch today.

I met Mom in her room and helped her prepare for lunch. Travis wheeled her to the conference room where she was greeted by applause, hugs and cheers. She looked so beautiful and was totally the belle of the ball. We circled for grace saying prayers of thanksgiving, healing and remembering that it is not where you spend Christmas, but with whom you spend it and remembering why. After prayer came eating, opening presents, conversation and laughter. It must have been a god thing that we were in a room where we could close the door! It was not like the Christmases of the past, but it was definitely one we will never forget.

Mom’s doctor found us in the conference room during lunch and just popped in to see her. He threw her a curve when he told her that she was going to have to go through in-patient rehab. We could all tell she was completely surprised by this, but I think she was better with it after we talked to her. Please offer an extra prayer about this further development in her healing plan. You know how she and daddy hate to be apart! All in all Mom did very well and never admitted to being tired. But when she returned to her room she fell asleep pretty quickly. Other than that it was a fantastic day and a great Christmas.

We were all very excited that my Aunt Imogene joined us for dinner today. She is the widow of my Uncle Gene who recently passed away. They were married for 68 years. Almost every memory she has in her life is with him and our family. Today was the first time since the funeral that she has joined in a family gathering. It was so hard for her because since Uncle Gene’s passing, she has endured both of their birthdays, their wedding anniversary, Thanksgiving and now Christmas alone. She had some emotional moments, but we were so proud of her for having the courage to begin again. Please offer a very special prayer for her and her need for healing.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, As I begin this new day, I thank You for Your abiding presence in my life. I realize I have a lot to do today. I have decisions to make and places to go. My day will be filled with issues, and I also have burdens on my heart. I ask You to please fill me with Your Holy Spirit in such a way that I will know You are there all the time. I confess my sins to You, and in Jesus’ wonderful name I pray, Amen.”

1 Thessalonians 5: 23 “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

As a believer in God’s Word, I place my faith in Jesus. I have no doubt that Christ will return again and claim all of us who belong to him. We will be taken up into His presence to join all who are already there with Him. When Christ returns we will be taken to the holiest of all places. We will be in His holy presence. Heaven is described as a land full of light, streets paved with gold and mansions for each of us.

Two thousand years ago there was a place. This place was not a mansion or surrounded by streets paved with gold. It was a rude stable, with a dirt floor and yet it was filled with light from a bright and shining star that rested over the place where Jesus lay and it was holy ground. It was holy ground because Jesus was there by God’s plan and His command. Emmanuel, God with us, stepped into this world so that we could claim Him as our Lord and Savior to fill us with the light of heaven.

As I have said each Christmas for several years, the babe of Bethlehem could be born again in Bethlehem a thousand times, but unless He is born again in our hearts then it was all for naught. May the light of Jesus surround you, fill you and lead you as you walk on holy ground.

Take joy in the journey filled with the light of the star. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.