"Restore to me the joy of your salvation."
Psalms 51:12
It's ironic, isn't it? Christmas, the celebration of Jesus' miraculous birth, brings out the worse in people: instead of peace on earth, crowds jostle and customers are trampled in WalMart. Instead of goodwill towards all, we have to watch our purses and set our alarms. Instead of shopping with anticipation and excitement, we are urged to look under our cars and store shopping bags out of sight.
So I shouldn't have been surprised by the local news story about a new sort of Christmas thief: he and his accomplices follow UPS trucks and steal the packages left on front porches.
Has it been like that for you? Has someone followed the delivery truck intended for you and stolen what was supposed to bring you joy?
Don't stand for it. Don't let it happen. Don't allow your gifts to be plundered. Fight for your joy. It's too precious to waste. Ask God for the strength you need for this battle. It's one that I don't want to lose.
I will chase the thief; I will take back what's been stolen, and I will enjoy all that God has for me.
So I shouldn't have been surprised by the local news story about a new sort of Christmas thief: he and his accomplices follow UPS trucks and steal the packages left on front porches.
Has it been like that for you? Has someone followed the delivery truck intended for you and stolen what was supposed to bring you joy?
Don't stand for it. Don't let it happen. Don't allow your gifts to be plundered. Fight for your joy. It's too precious to waste. Ask God for the strength you need for this battle. It's one that I don't want to lose.
I will chase the thief; I will take back what's been stolen, and I will enjoy all that God has for me.
