Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I want to wish all of my friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It's been a year full of blessings.

As Christmas draws near I find myself being reminded of why we celebrate it.

For God So Loved The World That He Sent His Only Begotten Son.... John 3:16a

The love that God had for us before we were born is almost difficult to understand. As I sit here tonight and complain about the day that I had, the lack of money in my checking account and the weather outside, I am reminded of God's Love. I should be singing praises to Him, not complaining.

A new friend of mine emailed a song to me tonight. It is absolutely beautiful. The story she shared with me as to why this is a special song to her is so encouraging. The song is "Gratitude" by Nichole Nordeman. As I listened to the song, I read the lyrics and I wanted to cry.

Tonight I pray that God forgives me for my lack of gratitude but I also praise Him for His gentle reminder and unconditional love He has for me and you.

I inserted the lyrics below. You can search the song on Itunes.com to download it.

God Bless,

Monica


Gratitude by Nichole Nordeman


Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view
If no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
Everything we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessd beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace ...

But, Jesus, would You please ...