It’s Christmas evening as I write this post. All is quiet and the festivities are over. Time to wind down and take it all in.
For weeks, we plan, prepare and party all in the spirit of Christmas. It’s fun, festive and exhausting all at the same time!
And then, Christmas comes and goes in the blink of an eye.
Gone.
We take a deep breath and in a day or two we’re onward to thinking about the new year.
But I’d like to stop for a minute and ask you to linger for a little bit… in Christmas.
Each year we strive to make Christmas special and make connections that really matter.
This year, I’d like to turn the mike over to you for a minute and ask you –
What was a moment where you saw God in this Christmas season?
It’s always an encouragement to remember that God is personally involved in our lives. For me, it’s the “little” touches, the fingerprints of God in my life that strengthen my faith.
Those are the times when we see Him, feel His presence and experience His hand. That’s what I’m talking about! These are the moments that make the Christmas season come alive!
So, here we go! I’ll share a very special moment with you – where I saw God very clearly this Christmas season.
My Story:
It’s been a bit of a rough season for my husband and I, as we’ve been watching my husband’s 94-year-old mother struggling to recover her strength from a recent illness. Each morning we’ve been visiting with her at the rehab center where she is staying. A few days ago, I loaded up my chocolate Christmas bark and handed it out to the workers in the rehab facility. Yet, I made sure to keep a couple baggies of the bark in my purse in case I missed someone.
After our visit, we ran to the store to pick up some items we needed for a dinner that night. We unloaded our groceries into our car and I returned the cart to its stall where I saw an employee collecting carts. I thought about the chocolate in my purse and had an urge to give the man one of the bags. Quickly, I talked myself out of what seemed like a silly idea, “He’s 6’3″, probably 325 lbs, what’s my tiny bag of chocolate bark going to do for him?!”
I turned and started walking towards my car, when I felt an even stronger urge to turn around and give the giant my teeny weeny bag of chocolate. “No!” I argued, nervously avoiding an obviously embarrassing confrontation. Much as I didn’t think it was a great idea… I knew if I didn’t listen to the prompting, I’d miss the opportunity to be used and see what God might do.
About face!
I marched myself back to the cart corral and shyly greeted the employee, “Hi. Merry Christmas, I’d like to give you this chocolate.”
He looked at me quizzically, “Uh, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Merry Christmas!” Embarrassed, I turned to make my way back to the car.
“You know, today’s my birthday.”
“What? Really? Happy Birthday!”
Relief swept over me. (That’s what this was about!! Yay God!!!) “That’s amazing!” I went on to explain, “I was going to give you that chocolate a minute ago but I chickened out. As I walked back to my car, I felt like the Lord said ‘Turn around and go give him the chocolate!’ So the chocolate is really from the Lord, not me! Pretty cool huh?! Wow! Have a Happy Birthday!”
He grinned and the amazement he felt showed on his face. I knew he wouldn’t forget the touch of God in his life. For whatever reason, that man needed to know the Lord loved him and – HOW AMAZING that I was picked to deliver the message!! I’ll never know what the encounter did for that man, I know that it helped me to see that the Lord is truly working in and through me. That smallest little incident lifted my husband and my spirits! What a wonderful Christmas blessing!
I’m turning the mike over to you!
What was a moment where you saw God or felt His presence personally during the Christmas season?
So, you don’t have to go into great detail. Just a sentence or two – or a whole story!
I’d love to remember with you!!
Please share in the comments.
Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me. (Psalm 103:2 NLT)
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Joanne Viola says
I loved reading this story, Char. It’s amazing the many ways our God will show up in the course of our days when we listen intently to His small still voice. Praying we are better listeners in 2018! xo
Char says
Hi Joanne, It really is about listening well to His small still voice. I am striving to listen better for sure!
Michele Morin says
My story is similar only it was a farmer down the road and his wife who received goodies from me, and I loved the joy on their faces. It was a totally unexpected “Christmas moment” and I want to do it again!
Thanks for sharing yours and for all you do to make us feel welcome each week!
Char says
Thanks for sharing your story Michele! I love how we receive deeply when we give!
Anita Ojeda says
What an awesome story! Being around my grandson gives me all sorts of fodder for seeing God’s hand in our lives over and over again (he’s 17 months old, and I’m pretty sure I act like him more often than I’d like to admit).
Char says
I love how God works through little ones! Thanks for sharing Anita – I’m sure it was a delightful Christmas with your grandson.
Jamie@TheMomGene says
Char….this was the first year we have traveled and I have not had to pack meds for my son. This to my was a long-time coming miracle and we are so grateful to be seizure free!
Char says
Wow. That’s huge! Congratulations Jamie. What a wonderful Christmas miracle. As a mom there is nothing like seeing our children suffer. It has to be a wonderful relief for you!
Melissa says
Last Wednesday my 5-year-old daughter and I had one last grocery store trip before all the shopping was complete for Christmas. As I was coming up to a red stop light, a young woman, about early 20’s was standing with a cardboard sign. I honestly didn’t even read it. But I felt God nudge me to give her some money. As I rolled down the window and handed her the money I said, “Merry Christmas.” She said, ‘Thank you’ and then looked at the bill. It was a twenty, not a lot, but more than she expected. She said, “Oh my God, thank you!” I repeated, “Merry Christmas and God bless you.” She nodded and our light turned green. My daughter then said to me, “We should pray for her.” and proceeded to put her little hands together and pray for this young lady from the back seat. The entire interaction reminded me of how fragile and precious our life is.
Char says
How precious to see the lady’s gratitude and then your daughter’s response. Giving money isn’t enough! She knew the lady needed prayer too! Sweet!
Donna Reidland says
In our case, it’s been my husband and me who have been touched this Christmas.
As anyone in any kind of ministry knows, there are times when you’re weary and aren’t sure how much life change has really happened in the lives of those with whom you labor.
My husband and I have spent many years counseling couples and families through our church’s biblical counseling ministry. We’ve seen drastic life change that can only be credited to our miracle-working, life-changing God. And there have been others who reject the truth or simply don’t have the power of the Holy Spirit to live obediently.
I retired from full-time ministry last year and as my husband prepared to retire this year and we’re preparing for a new chapter in our lives, there has been such an outpouring of love from those we’ve trained and who God has allowed us to counsel through the years. We’ve been thoroughly blessed!
Char says
What a precious gift – to see the fruit and love from those that you have ministered to. Thanks for sharing Donna. Merry Christmas!
Jerralea says
I honestly haven’t felt very Christmas-y at all this season. It changed for me when I suddenly thought about Mary’s birth experience. What a difference from what I went through. It so amazing to me that the King of Kings would be born so humbly!
Char says
I am always amazed at what a perspective change does for us. Thanks for your honesty Jerralea and I hope things perk up for you! It’s been a tough season for us and it’s nice to reach out and touch someone. This simple exercise has helped us tremendously. Love the perspective of a sober look at Mary’s experiences and attitude.
sue says
Let’s see: I saw God’s hand (over my mouth!) on more than one occasion; and, when my daughter cried and I didn’t become over anxious but gave the hurt to the Lord and asked forgiveness; and, when my husband took us for Eve lunch since I had 44 for soup that night; and, when God gave courage to newcomers to come for soup and several share it “saved” their Christmas; for the ease and joy of our unwrapping and oohing and ahhing and finding and worshipping through a beautiful new carol by John Rutter – What Sweet Music. Wonderful. Thankful I could sleep 10 hours last night and have an empty to-do list today! Thanks, Char – loved your story (and gave my pocketful of cookies to a homeless man on our walk towards the theater last night – snacks for Star Wars. He seemed to appreciate it! ) OH, and a guest brought a huge pumpkin pie at the end of the soup night, so i asked a daugher to give it away. She gave it to a homeless woman in the park who said she would share it. (: Take a nap, if you can! xx
Char says
Oh! Thanks Sue!!!! I love your sharing. When we “LOOK” God is not far away. He is an ever present help and working through us and others. I just adore your God-incidences!
Marilyn Lesniak says
Thank you for hosting. I linked some fudge, a trifle, and an applesauce fruit cake. I hope you enjoy them! Have a happy holiday!
Char says
Yummmmmm!!!! Calorie free too!! Thanks Marilyn!
Barbie says
What a great story! Thank you for sharing it. I can’t believe how fast Christmas is over. It is important to stop and dwell on the wonder of the season even after all of the festivities are over. Blessings for a beautiful New Year!
Patrick weseman says
Very lovely story. It shows how God truly works. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a blessed New Year.
Char says
Thanks Patrick. Happy 2018 to you and yours!
Rachel says
Char, you are always such an inspiration to me. I love your story! Sometimes it’s the “little” things…
Here is my story-
My family and I decided to paint the town with blessing this year! We stopped at our favorite coffee stand and paid for the next several customers, we donated $ to the Salavation Army, we gave out free DVD rentals to our local Redbox customers, the kids filled all of the quarter machines with quarters for unsuspecting kids to get a free treat, we left a trail of dollar bills in the toy aisle of the dollar store, we gave a coworker money to help him feed the homeless in his urban hometown, and we gave a young single mama of 5 some money for Christmas.
All of these things were simply fun! But the one that got us was our last stop of the day.
My hubby and I sat in the parking lot of our local grocery store, counting the remains of our stash, and concluded that we had a sum of $65 leftover. It wasn’t much. Especially on the night before Christmas. But we were hopeful it would help pay for at least half of someone’s grocery bill.
The hubs got in line behind a little elderly woman with a noticeable limp. He sat nervously by as the cashier rung up her groceries. Sheer awe crossed his face as the bill came to $65 exactly and some change. He KNEW that this was a “God moment.”
He reached over and gave the woman the money, and told her that it was from the Lord.
The women immediately burst into tears as she thanked him up and down for the generous gift. We were all in tears.
It was a tender moment, and a lovely reminder that God can use our leftovers to bless another with their exact needs.
He is such a good God! ❤️
Char says
That is the most precious story Rachel. Imagine that that lady’s bill could’ve been $55 and you would have praised God and walked away blessed. But the fact that is was $65 and change is God showing himself true. Without a doubt. I LOVE those kinds of stories and they build my faith so much! Happy New year to you and your family Rachel!!!
Grammy Dee | Grammy's Grid says
Thank you Char for hosting. I shared your party on Fb, G+, Pn, and Tw.