Happy Monday

Be Inspired! by Annettee Budzban

Along with last-minute gifts, seek spiritual growth this season
                 “ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” — Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)

 

            It’s almost Christmas Eve ! Are you caught up with your shopping and ready to celebrate?  Or do you still have some gifts not yet crossed off your list?  Did you almost find yourself caught in an embarrassing moment when you realized you overlooked someone and now it’s time to run out and stand in long lines with others who are picking up their last minute items as well?

 

               We’ve all been there a time or two. For some, I believe last minute shopping has become part the holiday tradition. They enjoy the sport of bargain hunting for sales until the last door closes— there’s nothing wrong with that.

 

                I remember the days when the seeking-spirit of the last minute shopper really had to stretch their imagination; the pickings were slim because the only place open to shop on Christmas Eve was the corner gas station. A bottle of soda or a pair of sunglasses ( I’m not referring to today’s stylish ones) didn’t go over to well with the receiver, once the ribbons and festive paper were removed.

 

                  Two thousand years ago, on the very first Christmas Eve, three wise men and some simple shepherd boys were doing some gift seeking as well. Their search didn’t bring them to a store festively decorated ; it brought them to a stable filled with the stench of any typical barn. Yet, their hearts drew them to an incredible gift there. It wasn’t wrapped in paper and bows, but was swaddled in cloths. They couldn’t explain it, but when they saw the infant Jesus Christ bundled there, they knew in their hearts that the search for the indescribable gift had ended.

 

                  This Christmas Eve, as we look over our last minute gift list one more time, may our searching hearts find the grace and the strength to keep seeking spiritual growth. May we seek God to help us unwrap the hard shell from our hearts and receive the gift of the love of Jesus Christ deposited within them. May we remember it’s never too late to seek the Giver of abundant life. And as we seek Him with all our hearts, may we enjoy unwrapping the indescribable gift of righteousness, peace and joy from within.

 

                 I pray that each of you has a blessed Christmas. 

 

Annettee Budzban can be contacted at ahrtwrites2u@aol.com

Daily Smile:

A man and an ostrich walk into a restaurant. The waitress asks, "What will it be?"

The man replied "a burger and a coke." "And you?" "I'll have the same," the ostrich replies. They finish their meal and pay. "That will be $4.50," The man reached into his pocket and pulled out the exact amount. They do this every day till Fri.

"The usual?" she asked. "No, today is Friday. I'll have steak and a coke."

"Me too." says the ostrich. They finish and pay. "That will be $10.95"

The man reached in and pulls out the exact amount again just like all week.

The waitress was dumb-founded. "How is it that you always have the exact amount?"

"Well," says the man. "I was cleaning my attic and I found a dusty lamp. I rubbed it and a genie appeared." Wow!" said the waitress. "What did you wish for?"

"I asked that when I needed to pay for something, the exact amount would appear in my pocket." 

"Amazing! Most people would ask for a million dollars. But what's with the ostrich?" "Well," said the man. "I also asked for a chick with long legs."