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Our Christmas Gift 2018


I have prayed over Wes for years, but now with this exciting new time of joining families, I have two new and dearly loved children to pray over. I’ve had the normal step mom fears, but I’ve also had some unexpected anxiety wondering if B and I are doing enough to cultivate their spiritual growth during this hard transition. We’ve read plenty of articles that have stated the huge bumps in the road that we will most likely face as a blended family soon…That is why the following story meant so much to me. It probably seems small to some, but it’s these small moments that I think God gives us to create enormous hope.

As I think about Christmas time, I think of great joy! Such joy on the night of His birth, such joy from the Magi, such joy for Mary and Joseph…Joy to the whole world.

Matthew 2:9-10
…And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

Luke 2:10-11
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

A while back, I wrote a blog about different Christmas gifts that we have received from the Lord each year. Last year, it was a family in my classroom, this year His gift came in the form of a small lady six year old. Her name is Layla.

Two weeks ago, she came in from outside and said, “Lauren! I need to tell you something in your ear.”

“Okay, what is it?”

“I asked Jesus to take my sins away.”

“Really? When did you do that?”

“The other night in my room while I was at my mom’s house.”

“Layla, that is the start of something really amazing. I cannot wait to talk more about this with you! Let’s make sure we tell your dad right when he gets home.”

As soon as Byron got home, she ran over to him and said, “Dad! Dad! I need to tell you something in your ear.”

His smile was uncontainable.  

We aren’t certain that she has accepted Jesus yet, but we fully believe that the Lord is beginning to soften her heart and stir in her young soul. We believe He is preparing her to hear His voice very soon.

I know this was His gift to us this year. I think it was His way of saying, “Lauren, I have heard your prayer. I am in your midst. See what I am doing? I am bringing great joy to your home.”  

We are in awe of His goodness to us as a newly found family.

Merry Christmas!

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