LEARN HOW TO:
"HAVE REAL HAPPINESS AT CHRISTMAS TIME"

     Hi, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas.  Hearts do go home at Christmas time.
People's hearts do desire and long for family and loved ones, but what do you do when there are no loved ones to seek out and go home to? What do you do when you are physically  alone by yourself?  You know many times these last few years I have felt a little sad about not having my mother to call on the telephone.  I have wished that I could see and be with her at Christmas time.  Just to talk to her again and laugh over something serious or just to share a moment of time with.  (She died of Cancer a few years ago and many of my family are gone too, even my grandparents).

     I am afraid that my family outside of my children has gotten pretty small.  These days for many of us, our various family members live clear across the country.  So what do we do at Christmas time when we see other families around us getting together for some joy and happiness, and we are all alone?

     Now we could curl up locking ourselves away until Christmas was over.  We could also  choose to "give" our time and our lives to the Lord.  You see when we give of ourselves to other people with our love to bless them, we are blessed.  Many people are alone at Christmas time with no one special to spend it with, but we don't have to be alone.  Not when we have the Lord.  Not when we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior!

     Lift up your eyes and look out away from yourself.  Lift your head and heart to see Jesus.  If you make up your mind that you "will" make this Christmas count and be special, it will be!  There are so many lonely people that need a kind word of love atChristmas and all throughout the year.  Try to be that special person to give it to them.

1)  If you don't have someone special then "you" be special to others.  Let everyone see Jesus through you with your loving heart.

2)  If you're alone by yourself, then you go out to someone so they are not alone too. Try  nursing homes, hospitals, and churches.  Even people at grocery stores need a special smile.  Bless them with yours.  Give them your heart of love!

3)  If you aren't getting any telephone calls, then you call someone and wish them a Merry Christmas.  Give your heart with all the love that you can.

4)  If you aren't receiving any Christmas cards, then you send a card to someone with no expectations of getting any back.

5)  If you're feeling a little blue, then make a "ton" of christmas cookies and candies.  Put them onto paper plates covered with Saran wrap or foil.  Go up and down the neighborhood and give out a plate to every family that you see.  By doing this you're giving your love from the very bottom of your heart.

6)  If you know of a young mother and father who can't get out because of family difficulties, offer to baby-sit for them giving them a free evening out.  Show your love by helping others.

     Give, give, give of yourself showing people your love.  The more that you do for others, the more love you receive back.  You're only as alone as you make up your mind to be.  Dear friend I care for you and want to see you happy.  You can be happy by helping others showing them your love of the Lord.

      I pray that the Lord bless you, and ease your heart as you reach out to others this Christmas season.  Jesus loves you so much and it is His desire that you are healed. Sadness and loneliness can hurt very badly.  Jesus wants that hurt in your heart healed too.  God blessed Job in the bible when he prayed for his friends.

     Reaching out to others instead of waiting for them to reach out to you, is the way to heal this kind of hurt.  When you allow Jesus into your heart, you can't help but love others. You can't help but want to share your joy.  Don't be alone this year, reach out and give of yourself with all of the love that you possess.

     Have a very Merry Christmas, from the bottom of my heart.  May the Lord bless you as you are blessing others. Your Sister in Christ, Diana Gray