Skip to main content

I Love Christmas Surprises!






I love Christmas surprises; the simple pleasures that make me stop and think “That person really cares.”  Twice today I received such a surprise.  Once, when a package arrived from friends on the east coast delivering a lovely gift I was not expecting.  Secondly, I received a Christmas card from a long-time friend whom I lost touch with a few years ago.  She moved and was so thoughtful to connect again and share her new address!  Unexpected surprises are wonderful!

I decided to shuffle things around a bit today and surprise Jesus by showing up mid-day and surprise Him with a pinch of quality time despite my hectic schedule.   The middle of the day is so busy, especially at Christmastime.  There are cards to address, cookies to bake, decorations to hang and people to meet with and encourage.  These are all good but even good things that have value need to be placed in perspective.  I’ve read many blog posts and devotionals that target getting our priorities right in December.  My guess is that everybody battles the stress of getting ready for Christmas just like me, checking off the long list of stuff that must get done.

I discovered that my mid afternoon pause for coffee with Jesus is a relaxing antidote for a tense, active day.  I’m not forgetting the reason for Christmas.  After all, it is His birthday we celebrate.  John’s gospel, Chapter One, says:

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”

16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

I’m sure my brief time in the Savior's Presence did not surprise Him like the unexpected gift and Christmas card surprised me today.  Who can surprise God?  But one thing I know, I was blessed with calm assurance.  Likewise, I hope my showing up brought Him some simple pleasure, too.

Linking: 
 

Linking to Testimony Tuesday

Holly Barrett



This post links to Tell Me a Story.


Tell Me a Story

Comments

  1. a joyful noiseDecember 16, 2014 at 12:44 AM

    Surprises are so much fun, but I am sure your visit with Jesus was no surprise to Him. As I am reading in the Gospels, I notice how Jesus knew so many thing before they ever happened. Thank you for sharing with us here at "Tell me a Story." I love your darling tree!

    ReplyDelete
  2. DiannaDecember 16, 2014 at 5:21 AM

    Mary, thank you so much for sharing about how you surprised Jesus in the middle of the day (although I'm sure He wasn't actually surprised because I know how much you love Him). Thank you for the example...I am going to give it a try today.

    Hugs to you, sweet friend.

    ReplyDelete
  3. FloydDecember 16, 2014 at 9:21 AM

    Excellent reminder to take the time that means the most. We get so easily distracted by this flesh. The real surprise I think is how we find peace and joy in His presence every time!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wise HeartedDecember 16, 2014 at 10:02 AM

    Mary, great reminder to enjoy those surprise the Lord sends our way. I love it that He continues to surprise me with His over whelming love and mercy.

    ReplyDelete
  5. JoyDecember 16, 2014 at 10:40 PM

    It is a good feeling to receive a gift from someone and we feels good when someone gives their effort and time to connect with us.
    But the best moment ever is to be with the presence of God:) May you be blessed even.more my friend:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. CherylDecember 17, 2014 at 12:11 AM

    Hello, there! I was just thinking of you earlier today, as I prayed for your daughter. I am still remembering to pray for her on a regular basis. I loved reading your thoughts about your mid-day time with Jesus. Any moment we spend with Him is SO precious! Merry Christmas to you and your family!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. RCUBEsDecember 17, 2014 at 6:38 AM

    The willingness to be still amidst all the hustles and bustles is what's tough and I know, Jesus must be glad to see you do that and spend time in His awesome presence. In return you were rewarded with knowing Him more...and now, your faith blesses mine more as you share that wonderful time with Him. May the Lord strengthen you and guide you with His wisdom and discernment. Take care sister Mary and Merry Christmas again to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ~Karrilee~ from Abiding Love, Abounding GraceDecember 17, 2014 at 12:35 PM

    Oh I love this! I love surprises, too and it seems this time of year is more full of them than other times! I think I will go and enjoy a mid-day 'date' with God today as well! Thanks for the reminder that He is worth breaking our routines! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  9. TerriDecember 18, 2014 at 7:51 AM

    That is so sweet that you got two surprises in the mail. I love them anytime but Christmas is the best. Thank you for the reminder to pause and thank God in the midst off our busy days. I usually do my devotions in the am and then put it in fast gear.

    ReplyDelete
  10. caryjoDecember 18, 2014 at 1:39 PM

    Always good to see you and how you share so specifically with the way the Lord reaching in or is filled with rejoice Himself. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousDecember 21, 2014 at 12:18 PM

    I love the way you said that-that you surprised God. I need to do that more often! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lisa notes...December 22, 2014 at 10:08 AM

    I received an unexpected gift last week myself. Such fun! I love how you planned a surprise date with Jesus. :) I need to do more of those myself this week especially.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Baby Died

  Leave it to Baby to exit this world on an exciting Eclipse Day.   Talk about a grand departure!   I remember well the day I drove to the pet store.   It was 40 years ago and our youngest enrolled in kindergarten.   The house seemed too quiet all of a sudden.   I needed a friend.   I remember praying before I shopped for a bird.   Not a fragile parakeet this time, but I asked for a strong bird whose sounds would fill up our empty rooms.   I chose a young cockatiel and the family named him Baby.   Baby was a little too loud, but funny to have around especially when Tom came home from his job with the phone company.   He wore a pager back then and got in the habit of turning it off, back on and off again before setting it down by his wallet and keys.   Baby echoed the pager call perfectly and made us laugh every time.   I figured Baby, such a perky bird, would last a long time, but never expected him to hit the typical 15-20 year mark let alone 40!   I should have kept his papers.
7 comments
Read more

The Lesson of the Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich

Years ago when I pretended to be Pioneer Woman of my small town’s newspaper, I caught wind of a story that circulated at the elementary school. Second Grade Students wrote about “How to Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich.”  I giggled at the teacher’s assignment but after reading some of the papers, I asked her if I could visit her class and talk to her students in order to feature them in my next column. This is what I learned! I learned generosity from a kid, Chad, who wrote:  “ I put the peanut butter & jelly on each piece of the bread, and then I add more peanut butter & jelly and put it together.” I learned organizational skills from a girl, Sunshine, who named each ingredient and wrote about shutting the refrigerator door when you take out the jelly and putting the peanut butter back after you make the sandwich. I learned that specific details assure success from a black & white thinker named Jason who wrote:  “ Only use Skippy P
16 comments
Read more

Abba's Lap

I noticed a behavior pattern in little Amy, twenty months old, that I want to imitate.  She moves fast engaging in one toddler activity after another spinning like a whirlwind from one room to another.  Yet, she pauses,  intermittently , long enough to get refreshed.   I want to be like this grandchild of mine because she knows where to go and how to get comforted. Amy moves at record speed, putting more miles on a pedometer in one hour than my accumulated weekly workouts at the gym.  She can build a skyscraper so tall, I wonder why those bright pink Lego’s don’t topple to the ground as she continues to stack just one more piece on top. I learned never to leave the room to get another cup of coffee.  Once, when I returned, I found her climbing past the couch with hands and feet reaching for the living room drapes. She has a consistent habit that I admire.  In the midst of her activities, as she moves robustly from one play area to another, she pauses in front of her
51 comments
Read more