If I were a betting woman I would bet that many of you who start reading this will not finish to the end but I dare you to take the time - not for me but perhaps so you may receive the best gift you have ever gotten.
So, as I'm getting myself ready to attack the to do list I made this morning (to do lists help me get motivated and with Christmas almost here I needed some motivation) all of a sudden I get this nagging voice in my head to share the best gift I ever received which means that instead of putting my shoes on and warming up the car I am sitting here updating my blog. Don't get me wrong, I want to do what God convicts me to do but it sure seems like He asks me to do it at the most inopportune times. Sure I could put it off until later but I'm finding it easier and easier to just do it right away so the nagging will stop.
Back in March of 1993 was about the one year mark of Dennis and I trying to conceive our second child. Anyone who has suffered through infertility knows the devastating emotions that come with it. Our desire to have another child was so strong. While many of my friends were pursuing their careers, all I really wanted in life was to be a wife and mom of at least three kids. My sister-in-law, seeing my anguish, was what many call a Born Again Christian took a step of faith with me.
Like her, I was raised in the Catholic faith, knew what Jesus did for me, went to Catholic school and I made all my sacraments. She asked me, "But have you ever really asked Jesus into your heart?" I was caught off guard and felt quite uncomfortable with this question. I don't remember what I said but what happened next was one of the best gifts anyone could ever give me. I can't remember everything my sis-in-law said to me but I will always remember her leading me in the prayer of salvation. I thought, "Cool. Now that I'm REALLY a special child of God, I will get pregnant quicker." NOT! (Long story short, it was 6 1/2 years before we would become pregnant with our second and last child.)
The reason I share this is because even though I was certain there was a God and that He loved me, I never really took the time to invite Him into my life and get to know Him. I have many Facebook friends who I know ABOUT from looking at their info page but if I'm honest there are only a handful of Facebook friends that I know more personally. Why is that? Because we take the time to GET to know one another. We take the time to share stories, emails and even invite one another to do things together. Through those 6 1/2 years of trying to get pregnant, I really got to know God better. Even though I had accepted Him as my Saviour (which is the first step), there was a lot I still needed to find out about Him and myself. Reading the Bible and coming to Him in prayer was the best way I got to know him better. My faith in Him grew and grew through those years so when we finally did get pregnant it was more meaningful and the gratitude was much more than it ever could have been had we become pregnant without doing it God's way.
I look back and realize I thought of God as my genie in the bottle. I say this because so many people think the same way and give up on God. They say they believe, ask for something through prayer, don't receive what they want and say something like, "Well, I guess God isn't all He's cracked up to be". Many people get nervous, uncomfortable, scared and won't take that step of faith to invite Jesus into their life because they fear they're going to become a "Holy Roller" standing on street corners preaching about salvation. Some think they're going to have to leave their current church or the faith they grew up in. Although Dennis and I now attend a non-denominational church, we still send our children to Catholic school. Christianity is not about denominations or where you choose to worship, it's about a relationship with Jesus. Some hear the words "Born Again Christian" and think they're going to have to give up the fun things in their lives and become these dull, boring people. Um, have you met my husband, Dennis? He's a Christian and there's nothing boring about him! I call it being a follower of Jesus and it's Him who will bring about any changes in you. He does it, not you.
I am pretty certain when you hand a gift to someone this Christmas they're going to reach out and accept it from you just as you will receive gifts from others. The best gift you can ever receive is ready for you to unwrap right now and that gift is Jesus. Don't make it complicated. Just receive it. That's the catch - YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT THE GIFT. God will not make you take it. So many people are hurting and struggling when the answer is right there in front of them.
My gift to whomever reads this particular blog is to share a prayer of salvation similar to the one my sister-in-law prayed with me back on March 6, 1993. It was the best thing I could have done and I hope you take a moment to really reflect on this prayer and let it sink into your heart and spirit.
Dear Lord,
I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself. I am sorry and I repent. I ask you to forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me. You did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life, I give it to you. Help me to live every day in a way that pleases you. I love you, Lord, and I thank you that I will spend all eternity with you.
Amen
Merry Christmas!
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