Merry Christmas!

I am sittiing here writing this, so filled with joy and a desire to somehow give back to all of you even a fraction of what you have given to me. I am so very thankful on this Christmas to have a joy that is 'unspeakable'. I do not take for granted this year, and I pray never again, the hope that is mine in my living Savior. The hope that we all have when we trust in Him. I thank you all for your support and especially for your prayers. I have experienced the 'Body of Christ' through the wonderful love, prayers, and encouragement of so many of you. Just as I have nothing of worth to offer my Savior, I do not know how I could ever repay what I have been blessed with through each of you. I found this poem in my reading this month and I would like to share it with you, it is the best Christmas present I could think of! It is from "Streams in the Desert", there is no credit given for the writer of the poem.

If you have gone a little way ahead of me, call back--
It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track;
And if, perhaps, Faith's light is dim, because the oil is low,
Your call will guide my lagging course as wearily I go.

Call back, and tell me that He went with you into the storm;
Call back, and say He kept you when the forest's roots were torn;
That, when the heavens thunder and the earthquake shook the hill,
He bore you up and held you where the lofty air was still.

O friend, call back, and tell me for I cannot see your face;
They say it glows with triumph, and your feet sprint in the race;
But there are mists between us and my spirit eyes are dim,
And I cannot see the glory, though I long for word of Him.

But if you'll say He heard you when your prayer was but a cry,
And if you'll say He saw you through the night's sin-darkened sky--
If you have gone a little way ahead, O friend, call back--
It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track.

I am calling back to all of you, we serve an amazing God who is indeed all sufficient and abounding in grace and mercy. He has carried me tenderly thus far, and I know He will continue to answer as I cry out to Him. Isaiah 12:2, 4 "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. And in that day you will say 'Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted.'"