Boy how things change. I realized that I hadn't written since summer and since then Ive been more busy than I had ever thought I would have been after college, some of my best friends have gotten engaged or married, and I have seen some of my closest friends and family go thought some major changes in their lives.
Christmas has just passed us and I can honestly say it was a good one! It was awesome to get together with family, and I realized how precious these relationships are! I was also able to spend some amazing time with some even more amazing friends. Between my friend Jim and his parents so graciously opening their home and cooking for us, our white elephant gift exchange, and just some amazing good laughs, it was a great way to kick off the Christmas season. Then The week before Christmas I had the opportunity to take a trip to Killington, Vermont with some more of my friends for a ski/snowboard trip. Even though our pastor swears Arizona (where he is from) is God's country, after seeing Vermont in December I would have to beg to differ. None the less it was a great way to start the week of Christmas!
Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, one because of the family and friends aspect. But the other, and the most important to me, is the real reason for CHRISTmas, JESUS! The fact we are able to celebrate the fact that grace, mercy, and true love is just amazing for me. I think that its funny when I sit back an think about when I realize how blessed and thankful I am is not at Thanksgiving, its Christmas. It's time like these that make me realize how things truly have changed from when I was a kid.
When we are kids, at least here in the States, Christmas is about what toys, video games, board games, clothes, etc. we got for gifts. Yes we went to church with the family, but we were too excited for Santa! But now as I have gotten older and a little more mature I have been able to see what Christmas really means. It means treating people as we should, and that is how Jesus treated people while he was on Earth. I have noticed over the years that Christmas is limited not only to the season, or the gifts, but the kindness and love... some people only keep that around for the day of Christmas. The story of Christmas is the beginning of how Jesus lived his life and loved other, everyday!
That is what I have come to notice about myself this Christmas season, that is love everyone all the time. Love can sometimes be harsh, think about when your parents grounded you or something for some wrong that you did, loves doesn't always have to be embracing everything that someone does, but it is showing them you care. In that sense, do things out of the blue, pick up a persons tab from across the restaurant or behind you in line, even if you don't know them. It could truly change the way the act towards people, seeing that there are still people who care in this world.
But I think what this Christmas season has taught me the most is that through every circumstance, God is with us every step of the way. We sometimes tend to think that God is only with us when we are going through tough times, but i have learned not only from personal experiences, sermons, and watching loved ones go through some tough and demanding times; that God is right there the whole time. We have to remember that our plan as humans, its very short sighted, even when we think were thinking long-term. If you think im crazy, read for yourself these few sets of verses:
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 19:21
21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whohave been called according to his purpose.
Now I will say that I am not perfect, I am far from it and I will be the first to admit that, but this is something that I am trying my best to get better at. So I encourage you to look past what the surface may look like and realize, as long as you are seeking after the Lord, the situation is for His plan, and he has an amazing future planned for all of us, as long as we die to ourselves and seek after him. So whether it is family issues, relationships, a job, whatever you may be struggling with, have the confidence that God is right there with you. We just need to humble ourselves and remember that God sent his son, Jesus, so that even though were still sinners when he first loved us we can have a opportunity to receive the prize at the end our the road Gos has paved for us!
I know this entry probably jumped around, but I hope what had been put on my heart was able to speak to you in some way!
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and God Bless!
-Anthony
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