Gail Rodgers Blog

Giving gifts from the heart are really what mean the most.  It’s a good reminder that you have written here that we have ALREADY received the greatest gift of all, our salvation through Christ Jesus.

Maybe this isn’t the sort of comment you are expecting but just yesterday, Dec 1st, my son, 22, was driving me around doing some errands.  He began to tell me what he thought about Christmas.  He hates it. “You’ll probably think I am grinch, families feeling forced to get together when you dislike most of them, buying gifts, spending money, going to church when you haven’t gone all year and you think that makes everything better, Christmas Spirit,  music, decorations, smiling at everyone, everyone acting differently than they do the rest of the year”. He said “give someone a gift because you want to at any time of the year”. Not once did he mention Jesus or the real meaning of Christmas. He has given up on Jesus because he believes He gave up on him.  Perhaps I can use your “thought” story on gift giving can give him a different perspective on this season. Could you pray for him that he can “see” Christ this season.  He’s a hurting and angry young man.  I want him to know god loves him.  Thank you Gail.  Jean

Gail, I just wrote to you, and then I read “Loved by God” Part 2.  It’s all about accepting God’s love, and that nothing can separate us from His love.  My son accepted Jesus as a young boy.  God hasn’t forgotten that, and God will never leave him.  That is encouraging.  And that will be my prayer for my son.  I pray this Christmas will have a different meaning for him, and he can know the peace and joy of knowing Jesus again.
Jean

Hi Jean,

Nothing touches our hearts as deeply as the needs of our children. I join you in asking God to show your son the joy of Christmas and to draw his heart to the peace of knowing Jesus.

I had a conversation this week with a man who has recently come back to the Lord after some years of wondering and skepticism. His mother never quit praying for him. He also had made a decision to follow Jesus as a young boy but wandered far from it.

He told me that when he finally said “yes” to the Lord he felt the Lord telling him that He had never once left his side through all the wandering.

I was reminded of the verse “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So be encouraged this Christmas season, Jean. Your prayers are powerful on behalf of your son and God is faithful. He is with him every step.

Thanks so much for writing.

Have a wonderful Christmas!!

Warmly,
Gail