The Great Reward!

 
         I am a "Grinch." This will be the first Christmas spent apart from family and friends. I didn't expect it to be this hard that is for sure! I have been avoiding all Christmas songs, and when I see pictures of snow, Christmas trees, family, people having fun, or even smiling on Facebook( OK that is a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the picture) I am sad, and naturally I don't like to be sad, so I start blaming God for bringing me here, and making me unhappy......... Thankfully when I have my little fits, I have the reality to put me back in my place!

Reality comes in the form of God's Truth in the Scriptures!.........And a bit of Shane and Shane:)

Today these are the things that put me back in my place:

A young unmarried girl who became pregnant, seems pretty scary for girls even now, but could you imagine it back then. Unless the father of the child agreed to marry her, and "make things right" she would prob remain unmarried and unloved for the rest of her life. Especially her, I mean who would ever believe that she was made pregnant by the Holy Spirit of God.  People would definitely think she was a crazy mess! But Mary said "May it be as you have said." She didn't know the extent of all that people would come to remember her and know her for, she only knew that God loved her, and was asking her to serve him, and she willingly did. I hope that I can learn from the mother of Jesus, and even when things look absolutely disastrous and stupid, and all the people around me are going to think I am crazy. That I still willingly offer my life to God. I hope I can remember like she did that HE is the reward!

  I have been throwing myself a bit of a pity party, and this is why.......Sometimes I think to myself "I am being obedient, so why aren't things going better?" Apparently, I actually have the nerve to think that I have done something worthy of a reward, and because I did it, I feel like I should get to choose the reward.
When I face inconvenience or discomfort that is beyond what I had previously planned on, I automatically think that either I have misread God's will or that God has some how been unfaithful in fulfilling his promise to me. But as I read about the Story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus. I am quickly reminded of the Truth! God did not make the road less bumpy for Joseph and Mary, but he strengthened them through it. God did not provide a luxurious inn for Joseph and Mary, but brought their Son into this world in humble surroundings. When I follow God's will for my life, I am not guaranteed comfort and convenience. But I am promised that everything, even the discomfort, and inconvenience has meaning in God's plan. He will guide me and provide for me all that I need. And most importantly HE is the great reward!

May we all rejoice this Christmas Season that we have already received the most prized, and precious gift, Jesus!

Merry Christmas!

Love,
Holly