2012 God

Dear Friends and Family, Here I am again this year bringing you no family news, recipes, cards, ornaments or glitter. As in the last 8 years, I bring you my thoughts of the Christmas story. This year, God is teaching me about His perspective. At first, I thought how sad it was…to send His Son to die. But, this is not an Easter story, it is a Christmas story. It is a story of birth, hope, happiness and rejoicing. So, I thought about a father awaiting the birth of his child. That is what the Christmas story is for God. It is a time of rejoicing and celebration. I wonder if God was thinking about how wonderful it was going to be to watch Jesus grow up, to see His birth, first steps, first words, etc. I looked through the scriptures and saw all the planning and preparation that was made for Jesus’ life. We humans plan things like the nursery, clothes, bottles, etc. But God planned Jesus’ whole life. He had control of Elizabeth and Zacharias. He caused Elizabeth to conceive after being barren for so long. He planned for John, Jesus’ cousin to be born in just the right time. He prepared Mary and Joseph by sending angels to tell them what was going to happen. He prepared a star in the sky and led wise men to see it and understand its significance. He let angels appear to shepherds so they would come and worship Jesus who would be known as the good shepherd. He “sent out announcements” centuries before Jesus was even conceived through prophets who had only a small understanding of what they were prophesying. Every piece, every prophecy, every detail planned out. I never thought about how much thought God put into Jesus birth and life. I knew of the prophecies, John, etc. But I never thought of how much planning and orchestrating it took to get everything to converge and be fulfilled in that one tiny baby. From the beginning of the earth, when Jesus was the “word” to the physical birth of the Savior, God had everything planned. Jesus obediently fulfilled every plan. That got me thinking about how much God must be planning for my own life. I began to think about how I remember times that I have not listened to the Spirit’s leading and went off to do my own will. How disappointing that must be to God. Sometimes it has been rebellion and other times just a lack of listening on my part. Either way, His perfect plan for my life is thwarted by my lack of understanding of the significance in following His will in every little thing. This year I want to be more attentive to God and what He wants from me. What does God want me to buy for whom? Gift giving is something God does every day. This year I will think of that as I give gifts to others. What would God want me to give? I know He wants me to show His love while I shop, drive, give and worship. I can do that in little ways, like picking up things that have fallen off the shelf at the store, helping others, smiling, giving up my place in line, giving to those in need (spiritual need is as important as physical need) and so much more. I will try hard to take time to look around me and see how I can help. Can I show patience and understanding to that slow cashier? Can I say some uplifting things to my co workers? Can I encourage students? Is there some student or co worker for which I need to do something special? May we all be obedient to the will of God and may He richly bless us even when we fail Him. May we love Him like a father and seek Him every minute and fulfill His will for us. May God richly bless you with the gifts He desires to give to you. May you receive peace and grace daily and may they so overflow that others are blessed by the presence of God in you. Have a blessed Christmas that flows into a wonderful new year. Sincerely, Missy, Tim, Tina and Emmalee McCoskey