I have a rough structure of what 2018 will look like but, in reality, I’m certain of nothing. Not a single human can tell me the personal or global circumstances ahead in the next 12 months. Whether that brings excitement, nerves, terror or puzzlement, there are indeed some truths to count on. Continue reading “The Best is yet to Come”
As I flipped through my phone photos, I’m in awe of all that happened in just ONE year!
I burst into the kitchen and sighed dramatically. “I’m onto a Christmas present idea, but I just don’t know if you all will like it!”
By now everyone in the family had heard my procrastinator’s woes. I don’t have Amazon prime. I want to get something creative, not on the wishlist. I am running out of time for online orders and stores are packed with shoppers.
“Abi, that’s how we ALL feel.”
My sister had a point. I relaxed. No one had expectations. They would be blessed by my effort to give.
Unlike anyone else shopping for me, God gives perfect gifts (James 1:17). However, I don’t always manage to like them because I DO have expectations. I want my life to look like hers. I want the season that seems to suit me best. It can make me uneasy if I don’t know when or if I’ll get a certain gift in my lifetime. It doesn’t always feel perfect.
Is the Giftgiver more cherished in my heart than the gift?
Because His presence is even more precious than His provision.
What would be the point if I celebrate His gifts without Him? It’s ironic and impossible.
A friend reminded me our trust is in the God who CAN, not the God who MUST. When He gives and takes away, blessed be His name.
My family is an easy crowd. No one will throw a tantrum if I don’t purchase just the right present. Even more so, I want to receive from His hand and celebrate what He chooses to give to me in His fullness. No good thing does He withhold!
And abounding above all the riches of His inheritance is HIM — the Lamb, born in the stable, who is Immanuel — God With Us.
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
2 Corinthians 9:15
Merry Christmas!
I hadn’t watched a sunset in awhile and tonight this one stole my breath away. My soul affirmed that,
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”
Psalm 19:1
About a dozen young adults from my church circled up around a fireplace. Our gathering of fellowship purposed to discus the topic of how a Christian should deal with trials.
This idea of suffering wasn’t a distant, abstract idea. Each person in the circle had grappled with a personal trial — or that of a friend’s — recently. It’s reality in this broken, fallen world.
As I scanned the faces of my friends, I realized that these scenarios of suffering didn’t have Hallmark endings. They didn’t make sense, they weren’t resolved and they were shrouded in questions. I ached for all of them.
But I left my friends’ home feeling so confident because the unity of truth shared from each person from different parts of Scripture. The verses brought up for discussion equipped us and testified to ONE thing:
God gives joy regardless of circumstances, and His goodness does not change.
No one was there to collect self-pity, but to acknowledge the One bringing us through the heartache. Because of this, there was peace and joy in the room.
This is just a glimpse of what was shared (I wish I had taken better notes!):
To end the night of fellowship, we listened to the song “Even If” by MercyMe.
Darkness has not won and it can not win.
Photo by Julia Revitt
Abigail Rehmert 