A New Year

I woke up this morning feeling very overwhelmed....needing to unpack from being gone for two weeks, laundry out the wazoo, new toys needing a place on our cramped shelves, Christmas decorations needing to be put to bed for the year, and a grocery store trip (since my 5 year old opened our fridge and said, "Hey, where's our food?").  Then I read a Christmas story about a young girl who wasn't sure Santa was real.  Her grandmother, whom she trusted and knew would tell her the truth, said Santa WAS real and then took the little girl to the store, gave her a ten dollar bill, and told the youngster to buy something for someone in need.  The little girl thought and thought and remembered a boy in her class who had no winter coat.  She knew his family couldn't afford one, judging by the notes his mother would send to school, making up excuses why he couldn't go outside for recess on the cold days.  The little girl bought him a coat and she and her grandmother took it to the boy's house.  Sneaking up to the front porch, the little one laid the coat down, knocked on the door and ran.  Hiding in the bushes, she and her grandmother watched as the boy opened the package.  Then her grandmother told her that she was one of Santa's helpers and the little girls knew then that Santa DID exist.
After reading the story, my outlook changed.  I realized that I have so much to be thankful for and I'm ashamed that I forget that sometimes.  I have a wonderful family - much more than I ever could deserve - and my husband has provided us a beautiful home, food on the table, laughter and more preciousness than I can put into words.  God has RICHLY blessed my life.  He also knows when we need reminding.  Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy.