It's not from Kohl's, it's from God.

I started this post as a way to capture what God has done for us this Christmas season. And while I would normally write this in my journal (see previous post :) ) I decided that this example of God's faithfulness was too good to keep all to myself and in hopes that it would encourage my 5 fellow blog followers. :) Are you out there people?

Anyway, I have mentioned before that as a stay at home mom, our lifestyle has changed dramatically. And that while there won't be lots of pricey presents under the tree, what we are most thankful for is our little family. But I would be remiss in saying that I wasn't disappointed in the fact that we might not be able to do a lot for Christmas for others. And while I've tried to coupon and pinch every penny this month, it was the Lord who was looking out for us. So far this Christmas I have bought $50 worth of merchandise from Kohls for FREE. You heard me. I have gotten frames, towels, albums.... all gifts for loved ones and all because Kohls keeps sending me these free gift cards. I don't have an account with them because we don't use credit cards (big Dave Ramsey followers) but yet I'm like the top person on all their mailing lists. But in my heart I know it isn't Kohls that is providing these gifts but the Lord. Because every good and perfect give comes from heaven above. And just when I thought the blessings couldn't get any better - I found a gift card that I had to Best Buy which enabled me to buy another gift for a loved one and I only had to put $5 with it. Then this afternoon, I was looking for something for my sister-in-law and I found the perfect gift that I wanted to give her however the price was not perfect for me. So I decided I would wait and see if I found something else later on. When I got home there was a gift certificate waiting for me in my email to the very store where I had located this gift for my sister-in-law. I only had to again put $5 with the certificate and the gift was purchased. God strikes again. His provision is unending for us and I don't know why I continue to be shocked or surprised. Because His word promises that he delights in us and that if our earthly father can give us great gifts than how much more can our heavenly father do for us. So take it from me, one very blessed little lady, that God can and will do more than you can think or imagine. That is just who He is.

A Christmas Blessing

There's a running joke amongst my friends about how much I have changed in the past few years. I like to tell people that I used to shop at Saks and eat at Bottega's and now I shop at Kohls and eat at Moe's. :) As a stay-at-home mom my lifestyle has changed dramatically. There won't be a lot of fancy gifts or expensive dinners or even visions of smocked outfits with reindeers this Christmas. But that is okay. There was a time when I was able to give out expensive gifts but this is a different season I am in. My dear Mother-in-law recently gave me a "Mother's journal" that records all my favorite memories, vacations, foods, experiences and so forth. But one of the entries had me stumped for a while. It wanted me to list my favorite bible verse. What kind of a question is that?! How do you pick just one when really there is a lot of good stuff in the Bible. But I told Steve the other day that I think I finally figured it out. It's the verse in Esther 4:14, "for such a time as this." And while Taylor Innes (who lived with me in Jerusalem) and I used to have a joke about this verse, I really believe that it holds true for me. This season is for such a time as this. I will only be at home with my doodlebug for such a time as this and I only have a few of those moments left. So I better treasure them while I can. And while the gifts may be simple this year  bought with free gift cards that Kohls sends me in the mail :), while there may not be fancy dinners or holiday outfits and lots of Christmas decorations on display at our house, there will be a huge celebration on the inside - in my heart. As a mother of a precious son, the sacrifice that our Lord gave with his only son Jesus touches my heart in a way that I never knew existed. To think of Mary as she watched her first born son crucified on the cross - I couldn't bear it. Samuel is my first born too and he IS my only begotten son. So this Christmas I am thankful that the price was already paid and that the sacrifice was already given, and it won't be my Samuel paying that debt. I now know what true love is.