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Who knew that grammar could be so exciting? Connections, spellings, usage. Prepositions.

Huh?

Yes. REALLY!

To pre-position a word in relation to another gives me timeless and eternal hope.

God with us. I have come to embrace the God who is here, with me. Emmanuel.

At Christmastime we emphasize this concept, but I think that we should never lose our Christmas wonder of the God who is with us. Ever present. Perpetually interested. Always connected. With us.

Accompanying us, side by side and in front and behind. God is with us.

Interacting with our situations, our thoughts, our hearts, in effort to draw us to Him.

Associating with us as we relate to our family members, our school friends (and enemies), our work associates. God gives Himself to us and all that He is so that we can draw from His wisdom, strength, insight, discernment, compassion, and the list goes on, so that NO situation should be cause for fear but opportunities to display His glory.

We are the wick for His flame.

Time is short and so must this post be to write in five minutes my thoughts on the prompt for this week.

A final thought to close this last five Minute Friday post – God pre-positioned Himself for each one of us from the foundation of this world. He IS our Emmanuel – God with us, in every sense of the word.

Close at hand.

Near as a prayer we breathe.

Embracing us.

Calling to us with His great love to turn from our sin so that we would be ever with Him.

​Luke 1:77-79 “To give to His people {the} knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 79 TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace." (NASB)

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This post is brought to you by the word prompt from Five Minute Friday writer's community. To read more posts please visit Five Minute Friday here. God bless!

 “A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.” – Barbara Johnson
I’d like to say it’s the name that is behind the talent here, but that’s just my opinion.

But this is a post about balance during Christmastime.

Maintaining our equilibrium in a flurry of retail storms.

Retaining poise in the vortex of obligations that never end until midnight of December 25.

Providing stability at the helm for our family when we want to jump ship and swim to the paradise beyond the horizon.

Balance is key if you want to keep your sanity this or any other time of the year.

How is it possible?

Is it possible?

Yes, it is.

At its core, balance is the coming together of two opposing forces without collateral damage. Peace ultimately holds us together and peace is found in only one place, one Person.

Christ is our Peace.

Ironically it is usually during this celebratory season of Jesus’ birth when peace is torn apart and tossed into the trash bin, much to our detriment and sorrow to our Heavenly Father. His plan was to give us peace.

Peace with our surroundings.

Peace with our fellow man.

Peace with ourselves.

Ultimately, peace with our Creator God, Himself.

May we seek peace and hope in the highs and lows of life like the magi did as they lifted up their heads to the Star the Lord gave for guidance so they could bow low before the Child whom they sought.

May the gloriously joyful songs of Christmas prompt us to rejoice in the greatest gift to mankind and share the hope we have in Jesus, our Emmanuel, just as the Bethlehem shepherds did, so long ago.

May we offer up ourselves for the purposes of God and respond to Him as Mary did saying, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)

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This ponderous post was prompted by the Five Minute Friday word of the week provided by Kate Motaung. To read more posts from a fantastic community of speedy authors check out the Five Minute Friday group. God bless!