Christmas in a Strange Place - Martin Wiles

He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. Luke 2:5-6 NLT

We were in a strange place and had no plans to spend our first Christmas there. Eight years had passed since I graduated high school, but now I felt God’s call into full-time ministry. Obeying it would require furthering my education. I would have to attend college. 

By this time in my life, I was married and had a ten month old daughter. Pulling up stakes and leaving everything and everyone behind was scary. So we left our home in South Carolina and headed for unknown territory—Graceville, Florida. A small town whose appearance and climate varied little from what we were accustomed to. 

August found me back in a classroom but longing for December when we could return home for a week to celebrate Christmas with our family. My first semester breezed by. Before I realized it, we were loading the car for our drive to South Carolina. Eight hours later, we pulled into my parent’s driveway. 

Mom had been busy. Gifts bulged beneath the tree and spread out onto the living room floor. We received so many presents we had to purchase a car top carrier to store our luggage. When the week ended, we reluctantly packed our car, stuffed ourselves in between the gifts, and made our trek back to Florida. 

Sure we could have stayed in Florida and celebrated Christmas with our small family and perhaps a few friends, but we just couldn’t bring ourselves to spend Christmas in a strange place…a place that was only our temporary residence. A tax census forced Mary and Joseph to a strange place. Jesus had to experience what I hesitated to do. 

Over the course of my life, I’ve spent Christmas in a number of strange places…places that weren’t my real home…temporary places of residence. But I’ve discovered Christmas isn’t tied to a place but rather a person. When Jesus abides in my heart, it’s Christmas all year long and anywhere I happen to reside. I’ll never celebrate Christmas in a strange place when I remember the true meaning of the season. 

Welcome Christ into your life so you’ll never have to celebrate Christmas in a strange place. 

Martin Wiles is a “preacher’s kid,” author, speaker, and freelance writer and editor currently living in Greenwood, South Carolina. He and his wife Michelle are founders of Love Lines From God (www.lovelinesfromgod.com), a devotional ministry helping those who want to enhance their spiritual journey with Christ. His latest book, Grits & Grace & God, is available at Amazon. Or sign up for his daily email devotions by visiting his website. 

Thankfully, God Said "No" by Kim Jackson

“I think I’m supposed to pay for your mission trip to Guatemala.” 

I stared at my friend. "What did you say?"

“I’ll pray about it, but I plan to write you a check for the whole amount.” 

I couldn’t believe my ears. What a gift!

My excitement was short-lived, however. 

“Um, Kim…. God said ‘No.’” 

“What?” 

“He doesn’t want me to pay your way. 

“Are you sure?” 

She nodded. 

“OK. I guess I should pray about what He has in mind instead.”

 “Good idea.” 

Jesus, what’s Your plan? 

After praying I felt led to write a creative fundraising letter. Ideas dropped in my mind and flowed out through my fingers. Soon I was smiling at my “Participation Invitation.” 

So the letter was written. But should I send it to everyone on my contact list? Jesus, who should I send it to?

Scrolling down the list, I felt drawn to certain names. When I finished, I counted the ones I’d highlighted. Thirty five! That’s not enough, is it, Lord? Waiting in the silence, I felt I’d heard correctly. The next day, I put 35 letters in the mail. 

The first response came from an unemployed friend. She handed me a five-dollar bill and said a prayer that God would multiply it again and again. And He did. Friends and family responded with joy and generosity. A large check arrived from my best friend from high school. Her note said she’d been saving money to give to missions. When opportunities arose, she would pray, “Is this it, Lord?” Each time she felt she should wait. When my letter arrived, she felt God say, “This is it!” 

Out of 35 letters, 31 people responded. When the donations were totaled, there was so much beyond what I needed I was able to give our team leaders $500 to buy medicines and supplies. 

Years have passed since this experience, but the lessons I learned serve me well to this day. For example: 

• God’s “No” grew my faith. It required more to believe for the funds than to deposit a single check from one donor. 
•  I felt joy in hearing and obeying God’s direction in writing  and sending the letter to specific people. 
•  Because each recipient was asked to pray, I had broader prayer support. 
•  Those who had been waiting to give experienced God’s pleasure in their obedience. 
•  The additional $500 would not have been received if only one person had paid for my trip. 
•  When I returned from Guatemala I had the pleasure of sending photos and “brag on God” stories to 31 people in 6 states, not to just one donor.

All these blessings could have been missed. 

But thankfully, God said “No.” 

 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” (Isaiah 55:8 NLT) 

Postscript: Three years after I returned from Guatemala, the friend who heard God say “No” invited me to lunch. She slipped an envelope across the table. To my astonishment, it contained $1000. With a smile she said, “God said ‘Yes’ this time.”

Kim serves as a missionary/advocate for homeless elderly in Romania through Elder Orphan Care. She brags on God each week at her Wow Dee Wow! blog. Kim prays that her brief stories recounting God's amazing ways will inspire and challenge you to brag on God, too!

To subscribe to Wow Dee Wow! click HERE.