I was supposed to pick up my son from the airport on Monday morning. Until his flights were cancelled. Multiple times over multiple days. And now our Christmas destination is currently experiencing a white-out of epic proportions. #Canadianwinterweatherthings. There’s not a holly-jolly thing I can do about any of it, so I force myself to exhale a long, slow stream of air… and remember there is One who is actually in control of my out-of-control Christmas! And, friend, maybe you need to lean in and hear this, too…
My pastor shared on Sunday about a prayer that had been running through his mind all last week. Just a simple prayer—yet both weighty and unburdening at the same time. He encouraged us to hide it in our hearts over Christmas and beyond:
God, I give you everyone.
God, I give you everything…
I had an inkling that I might need to reach in and remember this profound prayer in the festive season when there are so many moving parts, moving people, moving emotions.
And so here I am, and maybe you are here alongside me, friend:
Control freak trying not to freak out of control.
Work-in-progress attempting to trade survival for surrender.
“In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
Snow had fallen
Snow on snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter
Long, long ago”
God, I give you everyone.
God, I give you everything…
My children, church, challenges
My family, friends, finances,
My partner, plans, parents,
My travels, troubles, temptations,
My health, hopes… and my heart.
♥ Most of all, my heart.
“What can I give him?
Poor as I am
If I were a shepherd
I would give a lamb
If I were a wise man
I would do my part
But what I can I give him
Give him my heart”
(In the Bleak Midwinter by Christina Rossetti, originally written 1872)
I don’t know how your Christmas plans are shaping up or what your New Year shenanigans will look like, but I do know that at a time of year when we tend to praise perfection and crave control lest our well-intended plans go awry, perhaps we need to give everyone and everything over to the One who knows best and loves most.
To the One who gave His Son as the Greatest Gift as part of His perfect plan.
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.” John 3:16
Can we trust our out-of-control Christmas into the safe and strong hands of our loving Heavenly Father?
God, I give you everyone.
God, I give you everything…
May God bless you and yours as you trust Him with it all,
🎄 Merry Christmas and every blessing for 2023!
P.S. 🎄 If you’re looking for a thrilling, hope-filled, heartwarming story with all the white Christmas feels, check out my new novella, The Christmas Cabin HERE!
Linking up with some fabulous encouragers! Check them out:
LET’S HAVE COFFEE; GRACE & TRUTH LINK-UP; INSPIRE ME MONDAY;
I’m so sorry for your disappointments, Laura. 🙁 Thank you for this encouraging reminder to release everyone and everything into God’s care! Love and blessings for peace to fill your heart this Christmas and always!
Hi Trudy— thank you so much for your lovely encouragement! 🤗 I’m trusting my family will be together in God’s timing (although sometime before Christmas would be rather perfect!) Every blessing to you and yours this Christmas and for the coming year!
I’ve been where you are for so many Christmases! I’m a “recovering control freak” who realized that for the first time this year, I’m going with the flow and everything is so much simpler. I’m calm, peaceful, celebrating in joy in spite of finding that Florida has a tree shortage after our horrendous hurricane. (Yes, Ian hit us.) BUT…that is because my life has been so ridiculously out of control these past few years (okay, maybe more than a few) that I’ve learned to surrender over and over. I love this post because you’ve given the answer to the chaos of our lives controlling us which is to keep turning everything and everyone over to Jesus. Yesterday, I had to do that a few more times in regards to a disagreement with hubby, a mess with some Christmas giving, and an adult child’s cutting me off. Thanks for sharing this great message! God is in control, he sees, knows and already has a plan for everything. We really can trust him. I’m sorry your situation is messy with bad weather – sorrow over loss and unexpected heartache is reasonable and should be grieved. And then, he turns our mourning to gladness. Praying it will all work our in a miraculous and glorious way! Merry Christmas!
Hi Laura, thanks so much for sharing your heart! 🤗 Surrender is definitely an ongoing process (and my “word” for 2022!) and Christmas seems to heighten all the emotions, insecurities, and frustrations. But yes, turning it all over to Him is the very best option for us all… blessings to you and yours this Christmas and for 2023!
Beautifully written, Laura! Timely message for this “control freak trying not to freak out of control.” So much is not in our control — and thank goodness, God’s got it! Merry Christmas! 🎄
Thanks so much, Elaine! 🤗 I figured I wasn’t the only one who needed to hear this during Christmas week! So grateful we can hand it all over to Him… Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
A beautiful reminder, Laura! I join with you in prayer, “God, I give you everyone. God, I give you everything…” Agreeing with you in prayer for your son to have safe travels home, and though delayed – for your visit to be deep, and rich in heart connection and love.
Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers! He eventually flew home just in time for Christmas—our very own Christmas miracle! 🤗 I hope you had a wonderful time… blessings to you!
This is beautiful, Laura. It goes perfectly with my One Word for the year: Release. I’m sorry your son’s flight got cancelled; I hope he’s been able to make it home somehow. I ended up testing positive for Covid this week, so I’ve had to give up my Christmas plans too this year.
Hi Lisa, I’m so sorry you were sick over Christmas! I hope you managed to celebrate, even in a smaller way. Our boy eventually arrived 5 days later—we were SO thankful! Blessing to you, friend! 🤗
Lovely post! I am so sorry your son was not able to get to you (although hopefully by now, maybe he has?!) I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much, Cindy—he eventually arrived 5 days later but in time for Christmas! 🤗 I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Blessings to you!