Luke 1:37

This morning I was up unusually early.  Whenever this happens, I know that God wants me to have extra special time with Him.  So...I got up and being Christmas Eve, I decided to re-read the story of Jesus birth.  I have read this story since I could read, and yet today this verse in Luke jumped off of the page.  "For nothing is impossible with God".  The reference of course was Mary's fear at being a virgin with child.  Can you imagine her fears and doubts? 

For many loved ones I know, including myself,  2011 has been a difficult year.  In our family alone we have experienced more than enough.  We have experienced tragic death, cancer, suicide attempts, and unemployment.  We have had to cope with emotions that we never dreamed of.  Today, I thought about the verse in Luke...NOTHING is impossible with God and I gave immediate thanks for the hope that God can bring. 

As humans we can become easily discouraged, feel hopeless, and become disgruntled about life and what it brings.  We forget to be thankful for what we have and we forget any good that may have come our way.  The negative part of life just takes over.  We find ourselves in a funk.  When this happens, it is difficult to pull out.  Negativity has great power over the good in life.  However, taking time to remember just this one verse can change our attitude in the seconds it takes to read it.  We can bring light into darkness, we can be encouraged rather than discouraged.  If nothing is impossible for God, then we can bring our fears, our doubts, and our frustrations to God and HE can handle them for us.  I for one could not handle life without this truth.

How many times have I read the story of Jesus birth?  Why today did these words jump off the page?  Perhaps I need to be reminded that the hope we have in God is ever present.  I am so very grateful.  This morning I am thanking God for the good and the bad.  I am giving over to Him those things that are impossible for me.  I am making a choice to be free so that I can live in joy. 

As a woman in leadership, I am making a choice.  We all have that opportunity.   Has life been hard?  Has work been difficult?  Is life throwing you curve balls?  What choice will you make?

I choose to be grateful.  I choose to live with joy in my life.  I choose to remember in every situation that Nothing is impossible with God.  May your Christmas be blessed, may your families know His love and may your day be full of joy!