We were decorating our home for Christmas.
Overlooking the snowy town of Prescott, we had a perfect view of the Arizona mountains peaking over a valley of Pine trees. Although we had just recently started renting, our rustic little house felt like home. In between jobs and wondering what God had for us next, we didn't have much to spend on gifts that year and had warned our kids that Santa would be bringing gifts from the second hand store. I admit, I was excited for the opportunity to teach our kids the lesson of appreciating Christmas for what it is and not for the gifts. How could God have a different plan than that one? Christmas Eve I received a call from someone I didn't know, informing me there were toys left over from a toy drive and asking if we wanted them. Confused, I said sure and drove over. A lady I had never met gave me three huge black garbage bags full of something. I drove home. What I found in them that evening were all the things that the kids had been wanting, and all new: scooters, trains, teddy bears, diaries, and so much more. I wasn't sure whether to cry with thankfulness or get angry at God for ruining my plan. Christmas morning, our kids were confused: "You said we weren't going to have any presents!" We shared with them what had happened and then we sat in a circle on the floor before opening our presents to thank God for them. We did not deserve them, didn't need them, ... and I didn't even want them! We actually had so many toys that we took a bunch of them to another family that we knew that same day. That Christmas turned into one of the many memories our kids are collecting of how much God loves to give occasional surprises, just for fun. Even when it's not necessary.
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