It’s that time of year again when my mind searches for the perfect Christmas gifts.  Truth be told, all the money in the world won’t buy the gifts I want to give.  I’d like to give my friends and family one more day with the ones they are missing: their husband, their dad, their mom, a special friend, a precious child. I’d like to give my friend perfect health-to completely chase out the cancer invading her body.  A friend’s mom keeps forgetting-I’d like to give her a whole day of laughter, love, and joy.  One friend’s husband has a health crisis.  I’d like to give her a  worry-free day.  To the ones who are hurting in unseen ways, I’d like to give you peace.

I can’t give the gifts I want to give,  but God can. He wants to give you comfort. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles…” (2 Corinthians 1:4, NIV) He wants to give you peace. “I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart…” (John 14:27 NLT) He wants to give you strength. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 ESV) Incredibly, he also wants to give you life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV) On the first Christmas so long ago, God gave the best gift ever: Jesus.  With this perfect gift, you not only get another day…you get the gift of forever.

Things to do today:

1. Accept the freely-offered gifts from God.
2. Read a similar blog called ‘The Sun Will Shine Again.’ Also, listen to songs ‘One More Day’ and ‘Take Courage.’