CHRISTMAS...it is over

IT IS OVER!

YES...

the shopping is done
the presents have been opened
the last cookie has been eaten
the relatives have all gone back home
the tree is dropping needles

Christmas is over for another season.

Now what?
What do we do with ALL of this stuff?
What do we do if we didn't get everything on our "wish list"?

No need to be disappointed...JUST COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!

Did you know that there are such things as hidden blessings, or blessings in disguise. Read the following paragraph and see how many blessings you can spot:

"As John hurriedly buttons his shirtsleeves, he sees that the edge of one cuff is starting to fray. He sits on the bed to put on his shoes, which look a little scuffed. One of the laces breaks when he pulls it tight. His wife offers to replace it while he puts on a tie, so he won't be late for work. He picks out a Burgundy one; it's kind of faded, but it will do. On his way down to the kitchen, John almost trips on a toy truck laying broken at the foot of the stairs. The light is out in the refrigerator, John reaches for the milk, then pours it out after checking the expiration date. Grabbing some orange juice and a bagel, he picks up his worn briefcase, yells goodbye, and heads out to the garage. His hands full, he struggles to open the car door, which is showing a bit of rust. Finally, John pulls out of the driveway, but not before noticing a tiny crack in his windshield."

Maybe you spotted the blessings in this story easily. Some of them seem pretty obvious. John is alive; he has a wife; a child, a roof over his head; a bed to sleep in; clothes on his back; modern appliances; food to eat; a car; a job.

However, like John, you may not recognize one of life's greatest hidden blessings. Because of God's grace, every hint of brokenness and decay that we encounter each day should serve as a gentle reminder that an inheritance is waiting for us in heaven. Such an amazing eternal treasure that will far surpass the fading things of this world.

You are BLESSED ~ no matter what you may be experiencing this "day after" Christmas...

• happiness or sadness
• wealth or poverty
• good health or sickness
• love of family or loneliness

JAMES 1:12 "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

REMEMBER THAT GOD'S BLESSINGS

ARE ALL AROUND YOU...CAN YOU SEE THEM?