The Greatest Gift you can give someone is to tell them the story of Jesus and how He has the power to change lives!!!
Saturday morning I had the chance to share “The Gift of Christmas” with a delightful group of women at Brookside Church here in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
I began my time by sharing a “little Cindy” story. I thought it’d be fun to share a “Little Cindy” story with you, my dear bloggy friends, as well!
When little Cindy was a little girl she LOVED Christmas. Of all of the holidays throughout the year, Christmas was her absolute favorite!!
And do you know why little Cindy loved Christmas so much?? Because she loved GIFTS!!
To little Cindy, Christmas was all about receiving GIFTS ~ the bigger, the better!
One Christmas, when Little Cindy was 6 years old, there was a gift that Little Cindy thought she absolutely, positively must have ~ the 3 story, Barbie Town House, Deluxe edition, complete with it’s own elevator!! (Anyone else remember this??)
Little Cindy wrote her letter to Santa, hand delivered it to the big jolly guy himself, and felt confident that she would get the gift she wanted!
But imagine Little Cindy’s surprise, and disappointment, when Santa came to her house, and there was no Barbie Town House left under her family’s tree. Only a watch.
A Ha! Little Cindy thought…Santa must have told my grandma & grandpa about the Barbie Town House! Yes! That must be it!!
But imagine Little Cindy’s disbelief when she arrived at her grandma and grandpa’s house, looked under the tree…and found there was no box big enough for a 3 story Barbie Town House with Little Cindy’s name on it.
She did notice a wrapped gift in the room that had the possibility of being a Barbie Town House, but it was labeled FOR: BRUCE ~ little Cindy’s grandpa. Shucks!
At the end of the night, after opening all the presents, the only gift left was the big one for Bruce.
Little Cindy’s Grandpa said, “You know Cindy, I’m pretty comfy right here in my chair. Would you mind opening that big gift for me??”
Sad little Cindy said, “OK”
As she began to rip back the paper…all of a sudden, she saw bright patches of hot pink and orange and sky blue…could it be?? Yes!
The Barbie Town house….just for her!! The gift Little Cindy had always wanted!!!
What about for you?? If you were take a stroll down “Christmas memory lane”, is there a favorite gift you have received?? A special gift left under the Christmas tree just for you?? I’d love to hear a special story from you! 🙂
And for tomorrow, I’ll continue my thoughts on gifts, but this time I’ll share with you how I found Jesus ~ the True Gift of Christmas ~ the real Gift that I absolutely, positively needed!
Let’s pray, shall we?? Oh Lord, thank You for the Christmas season and the fun memories that it brings to mind. And THANK YOU for Jesus, the True Gift of the Season. Oh Lord, how we ask that You would help us to keep Jesus in the center of our lives during the hustle and bustle that this month brings. Would You remove the distractions, the clutter, the voices…and quiet us with Your love and Your peace and Your gift of rest. How we desire to be ALL that You have for us to be. May we be lights that SHINE BRIGHT for You everywhere that we go! For Your Glory Alone. Amen 🙂
Blessings to you!!
P.S. Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM (Michigan Time), I’ll be sharing a message called, “Dreams and Detours” at Rush Creek Church in Byron Center, MI. If the Lord brings it to mind, would you please pray for this night? My desire is to share a powerful message of encouragement to these dear women. Would you join me in prayer?? Please! 🙂 (And that the huge snow storm they are predicting would not interfere with this event!)
Good Morning!I'm so happy the Lord led me to your site this Tuesday morning, so I can pray for the message tonight. You are an awesome woman of God and I'm blessed to be welcomed to your blog whenever I get the opportunity. Have your way tonight, Lord…have your way with Cindy!
Thanks for sharing the little Cindy story..your "sparkle" is contagious. I am thankful for our Lord who causes us to shine. He alone is worthy and I will pray now for your speaking event…Dear Father I ask for good weather and that the Holy Spirit would speak throught Cindy to touch lives and change hearts. In Jesus Name, Amen
Following from Mom Blogger…. LOVE the name of your blog!! Love your blog! I'll be back!!!
I got that Barbie house when I was "little Julie" 😉 but mine was broken … so we exchanged it and bought the weebles airplane and ranch! 🙂 NOT a good exchange. 🙂 I shared about favorite gifts all last week on my blog, but here's one from a childhood memory that I cherish: http://comehaveapeace.blogspot.com/2009/12/gifts-for-christmas-loss.htmlBlessings to you as you share tonight ~
OH my, my, my …. What a gift.And that's like God's grace, isn't it? It comes unexpectedly. And we peel back the cover to find that the grace-gift inside is … for us. Beautiful story. Beautiful photo.
Father, I ask that for the Dreams and Detours message, you would download your thoughts into Cindy's heart. That Your love would emanate through her spirit, and into the hearts of these precious woman. I ask that You hold back the snow until the very last person to leave the church has made it home safely. I ask in Jesus name, amen!
Cindy you serve an awesome God &you are an awesome woman of God.He reminded me 2pray but i said today is wednesday Cindy has already spoken on tuesday. . So i missed joining in praying 4 you.the time difference is a great opportunity 2pray .Bless you my friend