It Really is a Wonderful Life!

“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.”  ~a 7-year-old named Bobby

Last night as we stood in the candlelight service, my husband squeezed my hand. The more he squeezed the more excited I became. My husband, who has not been able to sing a song in 15 years because of a mysterious cough, was belting out Christmas songs along with hundreds of other people. Tears began to roll down my face. We have prayed for health and for the cough to disappear, but the gift as usual was not of our choosing. A God who takes great joy in mystery and surprises chose it for us.

It was like the moment in “It’s a Wonderful Life” where George returns to his family or Clarence (the angel) getting his wings. It reminded me that our greatest gifts are simple really, families that still claim us, friends who believe in us, a hand to hold when we are scared, a hug at just the right moment — a song that holds back the darkness. My hope for you this Christmas is that you remember that all our striving and worldly possessions can’t compare to the gift inches in front of us. God is near and if you listen you can hear my redheaded, 54 year old husband singing with everything he’s got. Merry Christmas!

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