Decorations are put away. The tree has been recycled. There are no more presents to open. I feel like a balloon that is losing air and slowly wilting away. The fun and laughter of sharing with family and friends is over, and all is back to normal. But wait! What is normal?

Take a minute and remember why we celebrated. Remember the Babe whom we welcomed once again into our hearts: Jesus, the Son of God, born of a virgin, fulfilling prophecies. He does not fade into the background, only to be brought to mind again at Easter.

There are no Christmas blues for the child of God — only excitement and anticipation of the future and of knowing the Lord more intimately. Our Christmas celebration may be over, but ahead is a new year of adventure, walking with the Prince of Peace.

Friends, during this new year, may our "new normal" be daily watching at His gates, listening for our Lord to speak through His Word, and every day celebrating new life in Him. Let us take time to worship and treasure every opportunity that He gives us to draw Him closer to our hearts, feeding on the manna from heaven, the Word of God.

2 Peter 3:18a – Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

Prayer: Father God, thank You that we can celebrate Your love, goodness, and mercy all year long. Amen.

My mother and I were watching television. The meteorologist was warning of a storm in the area. We saw the lightning but soon realized that the power lines were snapping. We rushed to the basement, praying with every step for God's protection. Sitting on the bottom step, we heard the roaring of the wind, but we were surrounded by the presence of peace. We knew that no matter what happened, God was with us.

The storm ended quickly, and I went upstairs to see if everything was okay. There was damage to the house, but praise God, He protected us from harm.

Shifting sand, sinking ground, the earth buckling and splitting open, the wind roaring, the world around us is constantly changing, and this seems to be the state of things. Where do we turn, where do we go to find stability, to find assurance, to find a firm foundation?

No matter what is happening in our lives, we can rest on a firm foundation as our heavenly Father draws us to Himself during times of turmoil.

Scripture assures us that God has made a place of security; He has laid a foundation that cannot be shaken by man or by the events in nature. There is only one place, an eternal place, and that is in Jesus Christ. If He is my Lord and Saviour, then I have an assurance, I know where I stand, I know where to place my trust, I know who holds my future.

In Proverbs, we read of God's provision for us in uncertain times:

Proverbs 10:25 – When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation. (NKJV)

We can thank our Father for providing what we need at the right moment.

Even when storms buffet our lives, we don't have to face them alone; our heavenly Father surrounds us with His love and security.

Are you resting on His sure foundation?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being our shield and strong tower, the One who is always the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.

When I was young, my grandmother lived with us. In our small house, my sister and I shared a bedroom with her. She was a wonderful woman with a godly influence in our lives. One of my fondest memories was hearing her pray every night. The sound of her talking to the Lord was comforting, and I'll never forget those moments.

Paul reminds Timothy of the godly influence of his grandmother and mother:

2 Timothy 1:5 – When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. (NKJV)

What a wonderful heritage for us to live out before our children and grandchildren, just as my grandmother did for me and my sister!

Sometimes, it is the small things that make an impression on those around us: thanking God for our meal, reading our Bible, or praying for others. These are simple things that are God-honouring and God-glorifying as we go through our day. What we do can be more meaningful than what we say.

Even though my grandmother was a wonderful witness to me, I still had to respond to God's call in my life and accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. I finally understood that Jesus had already done everything for me, and all that I had to do was to pray, "Lord Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross for me. Forgive me of my sins, come into my heart, and be my Lord and Saviour." The gospel is simple, but it takes time for the Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus and for us to surrender to His wooing. Once we have received the gift of salvation, the challenge is to share it with others!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ, and for the desire to invite Him to be our Saviour and Lord. Give us strength and wisdom in sharing our faith, and help us to be prepared always to do so. Amen.