A Reason to Celebrate

These past few weeks have been filled with ups and downs. The downs were mostly related to financial stress and the ups have been due to quality time spent with the wonderful friends God has placed in my life. I have to admit that there have been times when I thought I would smother in my circumstances, but I know that God is at work behind the scenes, even though I cannot see Him. I am once again on the job search (for a second job that is). The tutoring job at Educational Resources did not work out. In short, she decided I didn't have enough experience and didn't want to give me any students...though she knew my background when she hired me. From this disappointment I realized that I was placing my hope and trust in this job rather than in Christ my Savior. I am now looking into tutoring with another organization and into a job on campus that Southern contacted me about. I have been trying to focus on Proverbs 3:5-6 as I pray for direction from the Lord. I seem to get in my own way during times like these...always trying to figure things out rather than relying on the Lord. He promises to light my path, though, and in His promises and timing I must trust.

Today, for some reason, I miss home. I will be there soon, though, if the Lord wills, for Christmas. I won't be staying as long as I would have liked, but it will be great to see my family and, hopefully, my church family. I leave one week from today. :)

I cannot believe there are less than 10 days until Christmas. Bath & Body Works is getting busier and busier. The amount of people--as well as the amount of $ they spend--blow my mind. I have met a lot of interesting people since I started working there. The reaction of the guys that come in are especially interesting. Most of them have the deer-in-the-headlight-look as they wander into the store, a few are just as involved in the shopping experience as their wives/girlfriends, and the rest make it a point to let me know that they are there with/because of their significant other. As I see every one husseling around to finish their Christmas shopping, I can see how the meaning of this special holiday gets lost in all the commercialism and pressure to find the "perfect" gift. Although, I don't get caught up in all the shopping, I have found that I do not reflect on the significance of Christmas as I should. Shame. My friend Carol reminded me of the power behind this holiday season. This was the day that not only love and grace but final judgment came upon the world. Salvation was brought to us as God took on flesh to reconcile the world to Himself. Those who accept Him would have eternal life and those who reject Him would be eternally condemned. Wow. I am afraid that sometimes we forget that the baby in the manger is the God who created the universe and Savior of the world. Thankfully, He did not stay a baby. He grew to be a man who led a perfect, sinless life and died on the cross for the sin of every man to appease the justice and wrath of God and demonstrate His great love for us. This is the reason to celebrate.
Merry Christmas.