I’ve been doing a daily devotion this Christmas Season – it’s titled simply : “Carols, A Christmas Devotion”.

This morning the reflection & devotion was on the “Christmas Song” – you know the one…. “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose,Yuletide Carols being sung by a choir, and folks dressed up like Eskimos”….. The song brings to mind some pleasant scenes: carolers at the door, snowy Christmas mornings.

But in the middle of our Christmas dreams and scenes, kids storm in to room yelling,”Mom”, or “Dad” ….telling on each other or complaining. The bills come in the mail, the phone rings with unpleasant news or maybe the job interview you did, you heard nothing on….

That’s life, isn’t it. Always a little extra on the ‘canvas’ of life that we didn’t picture on there. Surprises we didn’t expect and they aren’t always good ones.

But you know – God isn’t surprised . In fact , nothing surprises him. Don’t mistake bad things happening in your life as Him not being in control. This is not about His ability but about His sovereignty.

We wish it wasn’t so, but bad things will happen in our lives. Jesus said we’d have trouble; John 16:33. He also promises that He’ll calm us in the midst of it ; John 14:16. No matter where we are in life, whether the picture looks like we thought it would or not, rest assured, Our God is in control and can make all things beautiful. “All things work together for the good of those who love Him, Who’ve been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Wherever you are in your life, whether what you pictured is actually happening or not, you can completely rest in the fact that God is God. He is amazing and awesome and sovereign. He loves us more than we can ever imagine and He’s got things under control.

So much under control that He has planned out the details to degrees we don’t even know. I like what Pastor Sheridan shared about Zechariah and Elizabeth last week…. their names meaning ‘ God with us.” Even little details like that He has in His control!

Vicki