So here I was Christmas Eve eve and just about to begin my Christmas shopping, (well actually that’s not true, I did have one gift) Every year I vow to start Christmas shopping early, and every year I do the same thing, …but I have to admit, I do like the rush of shopping when everything is Christmasy. This was the latest I’d ever left it though. I went with gift cards, (except for the kids) I know it sounds like a copout but I put thought into it and bought gift cards specific to everyone’s interests.
God tells us to give Him everything and I prayed for the Lord to guide my shopping and preparations for Christmas; a tall order seeing as I had just finished cleaning the house, I still needed to get some last minute food (because our fridge isn’t working properly and freezes everything, so anything fresh had to be bought last minute) and we didn’t have a tree YET. Talk about a “wing and a prayer,” I needed both! I asked my husband to go food shopping with a list, and my 2 son’s volunteered to get a tree that day, that left me free for the gifts. Whew, that’s the first sign of God; usually, getting any of my guys to help out is like pulling teeth.
Next I strategized, the sequence to hit my destined stores…2nd sign of God, only one semi-grumpy store clerk, that smiled when I said “Merry Christmas!” 3rd sign…I waited in line at Indigo to buy my gift cards and the line was only 3 persons long! I thought “Yes!” But, I got to the cashier and realized I forgot my wallet in the car! “NO!” When I came back… the line was now about 8 persons long! “OH No!” I debated going to the back of the line and looked at my watch, , and one more store to hit. So I took a chance, “excuse me,” I said to the guy in the front of the line “ do you mind if I go ahead?” and I explained what happened. He says “knock yourself out! Go ahead!” yeah! “Thank you God!”
3 places left, stores are closing, and at home my husband tells me the store was out of crab, and no tree yet! What! They’ll go in the morning they said. OH my gosh!
Christmas Eve morning the sequence was easy. The bakery opened at , the Mall at and the Art Store at , all in a nice circle off the highway. By the way, did I mention we celebrate Christmas the European way, Christmas Eve night!
Didn’t get up until , was on the road and realized I forgot to take out the 12 kg turkey for Christmas Day that needs 48 hrs to defrost. Oh-Oh. Called home. Thank God I remembered …God #4
Got to the bakery and they still had crab…God #5. The last 2 people on my list, I have to admit, I was copping out and had decided on general Mall gift certificates, “and the line up is going to be outrageous…sigh.” As I’m on the way to the info desk I pass a store called FACES. “Hum, what’s this?” I walked in and asked the clerk what they sell there…perfect! “I’d like to buy some gift certificates please” …God #7. OK, one last person, my son the workout fanatic. “Come on Maria you can do better than Mall certificates”…let’s check out the sporting places. Thanks for the inspiration Lord…God #8. Done here.
I was on the last leg of my rounds, tired and hungry, I drive in front of the Art Store, and no parking spots, sigh. “ …But wait someone’s walking to their car, right in front of the store! Now tell me that’s not God?” …# and on my way home.
Arrived home to see our fresh new tree already up. Whew, thank you Lord!...#10 OK now, wrap the presents, write the cards, shower and start cooking…and eating of course.
So here it was, family was arriving and the tree decorating was started; my husband had pulled out some decorations he found in the attic, my son said the gold beads strung around the tree made it look like it was bound, and my son-in-law to be, finally found the lights and Angel he’d been looking for the day before, …on our tree! I guess they forgot them behind when they moved out…God #11 (chuckle, chuckle) Well, it had all come together in time, thank God #12.
I’ve been a little down in the dumps lately, this was a good test for me to see God…23 people to buy for and Christmas to prepare, in less than 24 hours; I couldn’t have done it without Him. I’ve heard people talk about praying for parking spots, and it seemed to me, so trivial a thing to pray about. Recently I heard a Pastor from South Africa
…but everything I need.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26
After all, God provided us with our Saviour, who’s birth we celebrate Christmas day, compared to that, anything else is a breeze.
Thank God.
Blessings for all.
Next, ...getting ready for New Year’s!
