MY CHRISTMAS WISH FOR YOU

Christmas Eve, it's here and, as usual, I'm not ready.  I've known all along that it was coming and I've tried my best to get ready, but I'm feeling very overwhelmed right now.  I did get the cards sent out, the house is decorated and I've baked and delivered cookies to friends and neighbors.  I went to the wonderful Christmas program at church, listened to the special music on the Christian Christmas music station and read all my devotions from my upper room leading up to tomorrow, but I'm still not feeling ready for tonight, tomorrow morning or the celebration of the awesome event that is  being commemorated.  I want to feel the peace that comes with knowing that I've done everything I could do to pass on the good news that we as Christians have been commissioned to do.

Every Christmas I feel such an overwhelming sense of "did I do enough" and "did I do too much" concerning gift buying and giving.  In addition to that I always feel a sense of guilt receiving the gifts given to me, because I didn't feel deserving of them.  I would rather my time and  their time spent thinking of how Jesus lived his live as our role model.  He spent time doing good, being good, loving, caring, teaching.  He knew his time was limited on earth and he tried his best to show the word, to be the word so that we might all see and know how to be and what God is expecting of us.

Have I sent that message to my family, friends and neighbors?  I ask every morning to be the hands and feet of Jesus, do I ever accomplish that?  Tomorrow's upperroom reading is about nursing home residents.  My thoughts and prayers have been and continue to be for my friends and family members who are in this very position.  Mark lost his parents at the beginning of 2014 and his uncle just weeks ago.  Did I do enough to let them know the wonderful news of our savior, who died for us?  I'm overwhelmed right now.  Have I done enough?  Have I done too much?

Dear Lord, please give me the peace that comes with knowing that I've tried to do what you've wanted from me each day, especially this time of year.  As I welcome my first grandchild in the new year, I can't even imagine how I'll feel when I hold this new life.  As with my children and all my family, friends and neighbors, I'll want this little life to know about Jesus.  I want to do enough, yet not do too much.  Not everyone wants to be told the good news.  It's a weird world we live in.

My Christmas wish for you is that you've done enough this Christmas to have the peace that passes all understanding in your hearts.  I think I'm feeling better.  Have a wonderful Christmas Eve and a blessed Christmas tomorrow.  Stay safe and warm.  luv, Susan