A beautiful note, Rhonda.  Thanks for a great reminder.  You're not alone in
thinking of GOD in ways you thought of your parents.  That's a classic.  My
father, those few times we saw him and he was coherent, used to put us off
when we would ask for things other kids had by saying "Yours will be new
when theirs is old."  I half expect the LORD to say that half the time,
although what I usually hear is "too late."  Heh-heh.

Paul
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rhonda" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2003 10:12 PM
Subject: A Father's Provision


> Christmas everyone shopping, happy music everywhere, and even snow! and
> Ben was getting better! yet I felt sad.  I know it isn't the meaning of
> Christmas,we overdo  and  the gift thing, but... still I wanted to get
> something for Jenna and Christa.  I thought of asking my parents for
> help.  But I remembered how it was growing up, they either refused my
> requests, saying they didn't have the money, or worse yet made me feel
> awful for asking.
> I thought about these things, and of how I tend to see God as a father
> who could but often doesn't help.  I was almost as afraid of asking Him
> as I had been my parents.
> The truth is however, that God is not like my parents He knows what I
> have need of even before I ask Him, and He wants me to tell  Him of my
> needs and feelings.  Realizing that God loves me all over again about a
> week ago I told God of my feelings, of my gratitude that Ben was getting
> better, of my sadness of missing him, and of my desire to get a present
> for Jenna and Christa.
> And today, through a friend God answered, the card had a check and since
> it is extra money I can get something for Jenna and Christa.  So God
> didn't think my wishes were foolish,He didn't say no, or make me feel
> badly for asking, he used one of His own to show me that he is a Father
> who provides for His children, more than what they need, but what they
> wish for.
> So today I know the real meaning of Christmas, It's not trees covered in
> lights,
> not the ground covered in a blanket of white snow, but it is love, that
> was first given so very long ago, and love that is still given today,
> I couldn't see it if a bright star were shining in the sky, but I can
> feel the warmth of God's love sent in a Christmas card from across the
> country.
>
> I just wanted to share with you all, of our Father's provision and of
> His Love, the greatest gift of all!!!!!!
>
> Rhonda