Christmas

What a wonderful time of year. A time to enjoy family, friends, and special events.  The most special event being the remembrance of Jesus' birth, a gift from God.  The greatest gift we, the human race, could ever possibly receive from anyone.  A gift that came in such a small, unusual package, but in fact would bring salvation unexpectedly, 33 years later in the form of death and resurrection.  The gift of hope, wisdom, eternal life all brought through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It all began at His conception, being born of a virgin, in the line of David, in the city of David... As we remember what His birth brought us, I am thankful.  I am thankful that I have a God to rely on for provision, protection, and one that gives me hope.
Today,Christmas Eve, my dad very kindly & generously bought us two new tires for our car.  While we were at the store a man came in, asking if they were hiring (which they were not), for an application (which they were accepting), and to speak with the manager (whom very kindly spoke with him).  I could hear bits of their conversation, which mostly consisted of the man telling what skills he had to offer this tire store.  But I could also hear the silent cry for opportunity, the quiet desperation that came from his soul.  And why wouldn't it be there? After all, the economy is tough and Georgia has a high unemployment rate, so high the jobs my brother is applying for (which used to be filled by the young teen generation) are being filled by an older generation trying to provide for their families. This man was trying to get a job on Christmas Eve... My heart broke for him and I prayed that God would help His situation, wishing I had a job to offer him or that I knew someone who did.  It also made me thankful that I have a job opportunity before me, that I had God in my life to rely on, that I have seen His provision over & over again.Then I prayed a very general prayer for all of those without jobs, asking that God would give them a little extra blessing at some point this year...