My Christmas Letter?

“Help us, help us, help us! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

This is how your Mom likes to condense the Prayer of Philippians 4:4-7. This morning when I awoke I realized I was feeling a bit stressed (depressed & anxious). But I personally don’t have anything to feel that way about.  Let’s face it, Pops is retired and doing what he loves most; being a grandpa and storyteller.

However, my family lives very busy, stressful lives, and therein lays my own “worry”. So, what better place to go than in God’s Presence praying that prayer that has become a “bedrock” for our family over the years. So, I proceeded to do what comes easiest and most blessedly to me; to rejoice in God always, to stay calm and know He is very near, to lift up all those worries and cares, and most importantly to give thanks for all the ways He has blessed all of us.

Here is a list you will all identify with at some point:

 Employment – in an economy where many are not working, you all have jobs!
 Relationships – God has richly blessed you all, even if there have been some trials along the way (we all have them.) 
 School – Karly and Phil are headed toward those coveted Bachelor’s degrees, AND Cody toward his Master’s, with Dr.’s Kyle & Laura already in the midst of theirs. And, even though Laura is in a tremendously stressful period, she is meant for what she is doing, despite the trials, we all rejoice in Dr. Laura!
 Finances – God has always provided what we needed, we are not rich, but we all know we have much to be thankful for in this area as well.
 Health – Well, yes, M&D are getting older and “suffering” some aches and pains, but generally we all have good health, especially that lil pumpkin of our collective eyes, Anthony! 
 God – we all know to some extent that God is real, AND for us! That is the most important and blessed thing to be thankful for in a world that seems so harsh and unforgiving at times.

Yes, I do get stressed at times too, but it passes, especially when I focus on God’s Providence and Love, and recite that Philippians prayer. So, here is the whole thing from the Bible for your reference, including verses 8&9 which are good too. 

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.