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As my Christmas gift to you, I’m giving away a print copy of Tamera Alexander’s Christmas at Carnton, one of my favorite Christmas stories! Leave a comment below to enter the giveaway!)
He wasn’t supposed to be here today. The doctors told us our dog—our beautiful, gentle giant—had only three months to live.
When we received this diagnosis for our beloved dog, we were devastated. I shared my heart and pain with you in a post here, in which I also shared the overwhelming fears this diagnosis wrought in my soul.
We were told the end would come swiftly, bringing debilitating pain to the boy I’ve given the Furry Fear Warrior name, Lancelot. That pain would cause us to have to put him down, we were informed. If the pain didn’t get to him first, the cancer in his body would eventually spread, but that was the unlikely secondary outcome.
But God had a different plan. Three months would have been October, even September depending on what date one starts the deathly count.
Yet, Lancelot is still here. He saw his sixth birthday in November and now, miracle of miracles, he is with us for Christmas.
Not only do we get to spend Christmas with our precious boy, but we get to see him play and enjoy life as never before. As unbelievable as it seems, he acts as healthy as any young dog in his prime. He appears pain-free as he romps with our one-year-old puppy, sprints through the snow he loves, and even plays with toys he had given up years ago.
God answered my desperate pleas for more time with a resounding “Yes,” and an added, “I will give you time in abundance and joy.”
This gracious, priceless gift, is the greatest gift I could ever want or hope for this Christmas.
So I should be perfectly happy, right? I should be floating high on the clouds, singing songs of praise all the day long and savoring every blissful moment.
But darkness creeps in. It clutches at me at the edge of every thankful thought, in the wake of every smile at Lancelot’s healthy antics, in the shadow of every moment of joy.
It’s fear.
You see, I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. We were told his life would be brief. We were told his end would be swift and painful. My heart told me it would break.
So the darkness of that moment on the horizon is what my gaze is so often drawn to, away from the light of this joyous moment, of this incredible gift.
How often this has been my story. Has it been yours? Has God given you a gift, but you’re so overwhelmed by worry and dread of the day you’ll lose it that you never enjoy the gift as fully as He intended?
I don’t want to waste this amazing gift I’ve been given this Christmas. Even more, I don’t want to waste the ultimate gift God gave us at the very first Christmas. He gave us Jesus, God born as man, who grew to live the sinless life we couldn’t live and to pay the penalty for our sins that we couldn’t pay.
Jesus is God’s Son. But not fearing the pain of loss and grief, God gave Him up for us, gave Him to us as a precious baby, gave Him to us as a living sacrifice for our sins.
Christmas is just the beginning of the story. When Baby Jesus grew and was eventually nailed to a cross, He hung there for me and for each and every one of His lost children.
This is the greatest gift of all eternity.
And, unlike the other gifts that Satan loves to destroy by surrounding them with fear, this gift banishes fear once and for all.
If you repent of your sins, if you confess that you believe in and love Jesus Christ, if you claim His sacrificial death as payment for your sins, and ask Jesus into your soul to be Lord of your life, then you will receive the ultimate, fear-free gift.
Sure, like many of us Christians, you might still battle fear in this earthly life, just as you will continue to fight against other sins. But the victory is already won. All you have to do is trust in Jesus’s work on the cross and the victory over fear and death that He won for us.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. – James 1:17
I don’t have to fear that darkness on the horizon for myself and Lancelot. For if I lift my gaze higher, I see the Light that waits for me in the future. And I feel the warm Light of joy and peace that is in this moment—this gift of beautiful, happy life with my beloved Lancelot.
“But God.” I love that phrase. It is joy to the world. It is freedom from fear.
Our God is the Giver of good gifts. He is goodness and light. In Him there is no shadow of change. There is only peace, joy, and love. There is only holiness, mercy, and grace.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21
May you have a very merry and fearless Christmas, savoring His great gifts.
I originally shared this post in 2017, but, miraculously, Lancelot is still here for his third Christmas since his terminal diagnosis—again my wondrous Christmas gift from my Father. I’ve learned to trust and savor more, though in my weak moments, I can still be haunted by fear of what is to come. But the Lord is faithful to remind me of His Gift of redemption in Christ Jesus and to replace my fear with the joy and peace that come wrapped in that greatest gift of all.
Has God given you a great gift? Do you struggle to receive good without fearing what comes next? Please share!
Photos by Emily Conrad, Ylanite Koppens on Pixabay, Mel Poole on Unsplash, and DiEtte Henderson on Unsplash. Original graphics designed by Jerusha Agen.
I’m giving away one print copy of this memorable and sweet Christmas romance by Tamera Alexander to one of you! Simply leave a comment below for your chance to win! (Giveaway ends Dec. 20, 2019; Winner must have continental U. S. mailing address.)
Christmas at Carnton
Recently widowed, Aletta Prescott struggles to hold life together for herself and her six-year-old son. With the bank threatening to evict them, she discovers an advertisement for the Women’s Relief Society auction and applies for a position-only to discover it’s been filled. Then a chance meeting with a wounded soldier offers another opportunity-and friendship. But can Aletta trust this man?
Captain Jake Winston, a revered Confederate sharpshooter, suffered a head wound at the Battle of Chickamauga. When doctors deliver their diagnosis, Jake fears losing not only his greatest skill but his very identity. As he heals, Jake is ordered to assist with a local Women’s Relief Society auction. He respectfully objects. Kowtowing to a bunch of “crinolines” isn’t his idea of soldiering. But orders are orders, and he soon discovers this group of ladies-one, in particular-is far more than he bargained for.
Set against the backdrop and history of the Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee, Christmas at Carnton is a story of hope renewed and faith restored at Christmas.
Comments 15
Hi Jerusha!
You are so right. I loved your post and I’m glad for God’s gift of Lancelot’s life to you! Praise Him!
I feel totally related. I have a dear friend who was dying because her liver was so infected, and we prayed so much to God, but the doctors said it required a miracle. Suddenly there was this young woman who died and donated her organs and her liver was in perfect condition for transplant. They made the surgery and she had a long recovery, but she’s perfect right now! We always pray for the young woman who gave her her liver. She gave her life for my friend without knowing. Well, she knows now in Heaven.
But it’s in the small things that I let my fear overcome me and stops me from enjoying things. Meeting other’s expectations is a hard temptation to rob me of my joy. Until God reminds me that is He whom I ought to please. And He is all Love, Forgiveness, and Mercy. And he has died for my sins already so I should be grateful for his sacrifice and make the most of it by trying to live by His standards of love. Love Him above all and love others like He loves them.
It sure is a daily battle but He is the giver of strength and grace!
The giveaway is awesome! Tamera is one of my favorite authors!
May you have a blessed Christmas and enjoy the holidays with love and full of peace from God!
Author
Amen, Paty! You’re so right, it’s easy to get caught up in the fear that comes with trying to meet others’ expectations. I’ve fallen prey to that fear this Christmas, too! But I keep reminding myself of what you said. God is the only One I need to please and He’s the only One Whose approval matters. And through Jesus, I know I have that approval already! You’re right, what’s left for us is to continue to try to live in a way that pleases Him because we love Him. You’ve shared so much encouraging truth here. Thank you! And what a wonderful story of God’s healing power in preserving the life of your friend. Have a merry Christmas, Paty!
Author
Congratulations, Paty! You’re the randomly selected winner of Tamera Alexander’s Christmas at Carnton! I’ll email you with more details.
Thanks Jerusha!! I’m thrilled!! I sent you an email with my address! Let me know if you got it! May you have a blessed New Year!!!
Author
Got it (and responded)! Happy New Year to you, too!
Thanks for the post. The giveaway sounds like a good Christmas book. Merry Christmas!
Author
Yes, it’s a special Christmas story, Anne! Thanks for stopping by. Merry Christmas to you!
Oh, Jerusha, this post touched my heart and I am so thankful that your gentle giant is still with you this Christmas. We have no idea, the plans He has for us and how He loves to give us the desires of our heart! Merry Christmas to you and yours!! XO
Author
Thank you so much, Heidi. He is such a special gift. You’re so right–it’s hard to grasp the goodness of our God to us! Merry Christmas to you, as well!
Jerusha I am so glad that Lancelot is there to celebrate Christmas with you! After all this past year has dealt us, I am so very grateful for Rikki, our Blue Aussie. She is always there with love and joy which somehow makes everything easier. Thanks so much for the giveaway. I’ve heard much about this book, and would love the chance to read it. Merry Christmas from our family to yours – dogs and cats included 🙂
Author
Thank you, Betti! I’m thankful you have your Rikki with you through the hardships you’re enduring right now. Our furry family members are such a comfort and joy. I know my dogs and cats can get me to laugh even during the toughest of times when nothing else would. Yes, I really enjoy this story. It’s special and a wonderful reminder of love and joy during hard times. If you don’t win the giveaway, you might want to check out Christianbook.com, as I see they’re running a clearance sale on this book right now, and it’s a steal! Merry Christmas to you, as well, from me and my whole furry family! 🙂
So glad you’ve been given more time with your precious dog. My kitty was diagnosed with FIP, usually a death sentence but someone forgot to tell her. That was 7 years ago. God is good!
Author
Wow, Pat–7 years? That’s amazing! What a wonderful gift God has given you in that much more time with her. I LOVE how God displays His power through such amazing things we can’t understand. I hope you and your family (furry members included) have a merry Christmas!
I’m so thankful that you shared this. I’m thankful that even after my dads cancer diagnosis we were blessed with several more years before he passed last month. I pray your New Year is blessed.
Author
Thank you, Lelia! How amazing that you got more years with your dad, too. I’m so sorry for your loss, though. No matter how much time we’re given with those we love, it never feels like enough. But I’m so thankful our Father in Heaven gives us such wondrous gifts in this life. Happy New Year to you and your family!