“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Give thanks in all circumstances…” [1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18]

Every year at Christmastime, I pray for a word or phrase that I can focus on for the year to come.   A couple of years ago, my word was change. After that, perseverance, then forgiveness. The word God has put on my heart for this year is…CELEBRATE. God wants us to remember what He has done for us, and then He wants us to celebrate. HE wants us to celebrate all things, big and small.

This past week, we were notified that our checking account had been compromised and a substantial amount of money was stolen. I spent all day at the bank and on the phone with Fraud Protection. During the course of trying to piece every transaction together, I realized I had made a large addition error in my check register, costing us a significant loss six days before Christmas. I was completely distraught and could not be consoled.

Then God whispered in my ear…”Remember to Celebrate.” I heard the words loud and clear, and began to repeat them over and over. I began to sing a prayer to God of celebration. I thanked God that the thieves didn’t get away with more money, and that my addition error was only six hundred. I sang thanks to God that my son, Chris, was home for college, filling our home with song and laughter. I thanked God for my daughter’s recent successes as she gets ready to head off to college. I thanked Him for my oldest son, Rob, that our relationship was in a really good place. I thanked Him for my husband, who is the most godly man I have ever met. I thanked God for Mike’s job, and the little blessings He sends our way. I thanked Him for friends who love me enough to bring me hand-me down clothes. I thanked Him for my sister’s good health report: No more radiation and no more cancer. I thanked God for our parents, who are still with us. I thanked God for our church, our pastor, our friends, our home, our vehicles, our dogs. I sang songs of worship to God in the flattest, worst tone anyone could possibly ever sing, but I did not care. I sang, and worshiped, and prayed, and celebrated all the wonderful things God has done and will do in our lives.

Christmas Card from Jesus

Two days later, I received an overnight package. Inside the package was a Christmas card, and the card was signed: Love, Jesus.

Inside the card were three, one hundred dollar bills. No one can ever tell me miracles do not happen because we received a Christmas miracle from Jesus and God blessed my obedience to celebrate even in the midst of trials. God is good, all the time.

I believe in and I will expect miracles for the rest of my days, and I will celebrate in all circumstances of life.

They can take my money, they can take my job, they can take my home, they can take my car, they can have it all…but they cannot take my joy. I will celebrate with gladness and thanksgiving and I will give God all the glory and honor and praise He deserves. In Jesus precious name.

Peace be with you.