"Just Where Did He Go??" ------------

Christmas is upon us...the time is drawing near..

Our lists are made...we ask ourselves...
"who is getting what"??..
Am I spending 'enough' on everyone on my list?..
Save the receipt..if they don't like it..they can just take it back!!..
"I hope I don't forget anyone.."

Common themes this time of the year..

For those of us with extra cash (or unfortunately credit cards)..the intention of piling gifts high under the tree brings a sense of contentment.
For those of us who are barely making ends meet...we find ourselves struggling to find the contentment
when we realize, we cannot provide!! and Christmas may be disappointing to the ones we love.

I don't think it is wrong to gather gifts for those we love..
But I think we must examine our hearts...for the reasons we do.

If cash is minimal (and it often is)...then where does our sense of contentment come from..
when we either don't get or can't give?? 
Where is our sense of peace when our gifts are torn open and laying in a corner and under appreciated??

I ask myself...what, where or who is my source of contentment in this holiday season???

How can I remain serene and focused when the market is about to crash, illness and accidents are at  the intersections of 'oh-no' and "when did that happen'?...
and our Christmas list is growing much longer than our paychecks!!

It always comes back to Him...
no more cliche's, no ready made answers...Just where did He go??

In the quiet of the moments...we ask our self..
Why, did He slowly begin to slip away??...
When did I replace Him with shiny gifts sitting under a tree...
and ..... can I have Him back, please???

The answers are as close as your next heartbeat...
He hasn't gone anywhere!!!...
That is good news..and.... His presence is THE gift He gives to you.. 

"Be still (cease striving) and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10).

He can never really be replaced as long as we continue to
"seek Him while He may be found"...Isaiah 55:6 is the contentment that cannot be discarded if we allow it to take root in our hearts.
And YES, YES, YES...you can have HIM...all you need to do is ask...

This Christmas...determine now...that things are going to be different...
Lead your family back to Jesus..

Cash or Credit will never buy contentment..
but Christ will ....
In fact He already has....