Praying Psalm 23

by   January 2, 2024 with No Comments

Lord, You are MY Shepherd.

I have every single thing I need, and plenty besides!

You allow me to rest in peaceful places. You gently lead me into thick grassy meadows. I lean on You and rest in Your care.

You renew my strength when I have nothing left. When cancer and sickness sap every ounce of energy I have, YOU dear God are the lifter of my head.

You guide me along right paths bringing honor to Your Name. Yes Lord! Make it so!

Even when I walk through the darkest valley…

Like when we lost our first grandson before he took a breath; when sickness took hold of our frail bodies; when we lost our ‘forever home’ and the security of our jobs, I admit… I’ve been really afraid at times.

But You dear God, YOU are faithful. You are close beside me! I know You are with me even when I can’t feel Your presence.

Your rod of protection will strike down my enemies. Your staff of comfort will keep me on the right path. You treat me so well that those who doubt my walk with You have to admit how blessed I am.

You honor me! Why in the world would You do that when You know what’s in my heart? I don’t understand why You’d pour oil on my head. Is it to heal my wounds or to give me a glimpse of days ahead when we rule and reign together?

My heart overflows with the joy of Your presence! You alone are so good to me!

I have no doubt that your goodness and love will track me down all the days of my life. When I think of being pursued by the One Who knows me best, my heart overflows!

And THEN I get to live in the home You’ve lovingly prepare just for me!

OH GOD! How blessed I am to know You! Praise Your sweet holy Name!

Christmas miracle

by   January 1, 2024 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

When I was growing up, Christmas was very special. My parents went above and beyond. Christmas food was plentiful for at least a week. Christmas gifts seemed to be much more than we deserved and probably more than my parents could afford.

On Christmas Eve, as I was in the bedroom I shared with my two siblings, I would always listen for sounds of Santa moving around in our living room where the Christmas tree and the chimney were located. Apparently, Santa would never arrive until after I fell asleep.

After a long restless night for me, it would still be dark when my father would come into our room and loudly say, “Looks like somebody’s been here!” That was our signal that it was time to get out of bed and go see what Santa had left for us under the tree.

Our living room would be covered with gifts, especially after they had been unwrapped and the wrapping paper was strewn everywhere. We would spend our entire day looking through our gifts, trying them on, using them, playing with them or looking for batteries. Santa never left batteries. Late in the evening on Christmas Day, when it was time to go back to sleep, we would try to find the perfect spots to keep the gifts. This comment was always made at the end of the day from my father, “Santa sure was good this year.”

The day was over. But, even though the gifts had been opened and put away in their new home, I was still happy, although the decorations and lights from the tree had been put back in the attic for another year — and were now only memories.

The star on top of the tree was often the last memory of Christmas to be put away. It was a gold star with a white light behind it. It was beautiful, and I always handled it very carefully, because to me that star felt like one of the most important parts of the holiday.

I still think of that star. Just looking at it seemed to tell a story of hope — just like it did that night at the manger when the Light of the World was born.

Just like it did when the wise men saw that star and followed it to worship Jesus, the One who had been sent to be born in a manger, so that he could grow up as the Light of the World who would save the world!

Just like the gold star with the white light that I would take out of its box year after year and place on my family’s Christmas tree, it still shines in my heart.

I love that Christmas will always be special, no matter our age.

I love that Christmas will always be a time of good tidings of great joy.

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Lord, thank You for peace, joy, love, and salvation that we have because of Jesus. Amen

It truly is a Christmas miracle! Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker.

Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.

1 2 3 4