Stocking Stuffers
This past weekend my girls, their guys and the little guys aka my grandsons were all supposed to be together to celebrate Christmas. I had celebrated with each of my daughters’ and their families separately on or near December 25 but for all of us to be together in the same place at the same time was postponed until this past weekend (MLK weekend). I didn’t mind waiting because whenever we are all together it is a blessing and gift. We had decided to save the opening of our stockings until we were together.
Unfortunately the weather forecast of 8 – 12 inches of snow plus ice made us reevaluate and then cancel our plans. So on Monday I dumped what would have been the contents of four stockings in a good sized box and mailed it to my one daughter. My other daughter lives closer to me, her stockings stuffers are being hand delivered. A few moments ago my daughter called and I could hear the excitement of two little boys looking through a box of goodies.
“Mom, is there rhyme or reason to the wrapping paper you used? How do I tell M from W?”
“Sorry about that I realized that I hadn’t labeled the things well but I thought we would be together to open them. It should be pretty obvious what is a M (for her) and what is a W (for my grandson) as you open them.”
We laughed and quickly hung up as a level of chaos that can only be experienced with a 18 month old and a 3 year old was evident through the questions and noises in the background. Note to self for next year: either color code or write full name of recipient on stocking stuffers. My daughter called back to say there was only one thing she gave to W to open than was really for her. And two little voices thanked me for their stocking stuffers.
In case you were wondering, the predicted snow didn’t arrive. Oh, well. Better to err on the side of safety. My take away for the past few days is I am glad I know who holds my life. I am glad God doesn’t get confused whether He wrote M or W. I am glad the Creator of the Universe, my Heavenly Father has it all under control.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.” Psalm 139: 15-18 NIV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds. Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6: 25-34 The Message
Loved your stocking story! So thankful that God knows my name!
I am thankful that God knows my name. Thank you for sharing your stocking stuffer story.