As I read the story of Jesus’s birth this morning I was reminded of just how much of the Christmas season revolves around hope and waiting expectantly. We all know the story of how Mary was told by an angel she would become pregnant with the Savior of the world, and how she and Joseph had to wait what must have seemed like 9 of the longest months awaiting his birth...as well as all of the obstacles they endured shortly after His birth; But often times we forget how many faithful men and women of God awaited His coming! Simeon and Anna were just two who were mentioned, who spent almost their entire lives awaiting the birth of the King...but just think of Isaiah and the prophets that eagerly awaited His coming thousands of years in advance! This gave me chills thinking about how so many of us are in seasons of waiting in our own lives...and reminds me of my own seasons of trusting God with patient endurance. Many of these stories are ones that I will forever hold in my heart in remembrance of God’s faithfulness.

One of these stories in particular was my journey to becoming pregnant. I was told by numerous doctors that I may never get pregnant after the damage that had been done to my body after suffering from years of eating disorders as a teenager. I also had various other obstacles that made it nearly impossible to conceive. Yet despite all of the reports of what may never be, I clung to the promise that with God all things are possible; And after five long years of praying for a baby, we found out I was pregnant with a little girl, who we would name Madeline Joy!

The years of waiting taught my husband and I so much about what it means to hold steadfast to God’s promises. It wasn't always easy, but anything worth having in this life rarely is. When my patience felt like it was running short, or my heart grew weary from waiting, I turned to God, and He renewed my strength. There be seasons of endurance that we all must go through, but in the end these seasons can refine our character, strengthen our faith, and deepen our fellowship with God when we turn to Him.

This Christmas season, if you are in a season of expectant hope or patiently waiting for a long awaited promise, remember that Gods timing is always perfect, and He is faithful to His promises. When the journey gets tough or the road seems long, keep your head up and focus your gaze on Jesus. He is the great author and finisher of our faith, and you can trust that He will give you all you need to finish your race with triumph! When the time is right, and perhaps in an unexpected way, (much like Jesus was born in a manger), He will be sure that He is faithful to His promises!

Specifically; To the women praying for a child, I would say to you, don’t lose hope! There were many days I would cry and cry wondering when the day would be that I would get to have a baby growing in my belly. And there were so many days that I would feel such sorrow, regardless of the fact that so many things were going right in my life; All because I couldn't get my mind off of my hearts deepest desire to become a mom. On those hard days (and there were many), I had one thing that kept me anchored, and it was the Word of God. I spent time with the Lord every day, and as I did, I was refreshed with encouragement and hope as I read of His faithfulness and His great love towards me. His Word gave me comfort, it gave me hope, reminding me that despite all of my circumstances I could have joy knowing I was a Child of God!

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year, because it reminds us all that our Father God is the author of every good and perfect gift; And that He gave us the greatest gift of all by giving us His Son Jesus. This Christmas, I would encourage you to remind yourself of the greatest story of God’s promises that were fulfilled through Jesus’s birth, and hold fast to the confession of your hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful!

Merry Christmas Friends! This Christmas, it is my prayer that each and every one of you are filled with God's perfect peace and strengthened in His joy! xo Katie