Ed and Nancy Huizinga were at church rehearsing for the Christmas program when fire swept through their house and burnt it to the ground. It wasn’t their first tragedy that year. Three months earlier when a friend died of cancer, the couple took in her children. So when their house was destroyed it wasn’t just their home they lost, it was the home of 2 kids who’d already lost their parents. The following week, as they sifted through the ashes, they found a slip of paper that survived the fire. On it they read these words: “Contentment: Realizing that God has already provided everything that we need for our present happiness.”
God gives us “more grace” when we walk through fiery trials. One Bible teacher said: “Our perspective changes when we catch a glimpse of the purpose of Jesus Christ. Take that away, and it’s nothing more than a bitter, terrible experience. Suffering comes in many forms, but His grace is always there to carry us beyond it. I’ve endured a sufficient number of trials to be able to say without hesitation that only Christ’s perspective can replace resentment with rejoicing!” Jesus is the central piece of suffering’s puzzle. If we fit him into place, the rest begins to make sense.”
Another writes, “When life blindsides us… and the football season, the diagnosis, the firing, foreclosure, abuse, broken marriage, death, kids rebelling or financial problems bring us to our knees… GRACE says that there’s more love after loss, infidelity or failure… more joy after the diagnosis… more life after financial ruin. Grace is real. It is an indominable gift with power to change your life.” But it only comes from one Source! “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found; was blind but now I see.” This amazing grace that we’ve heard sung about comes only from God in the Person of Jesus Christ.
This gift that has the power to change your life comes with one condition, though: like any gift, you have to reach out and take it. God is offering it to all of us. Why don’t you receive it during this holiday season? It’s the perfect time!
