God's Greatest Gift by Christine Cotroneo

Christine lives in Upstate, NY with her husband, Ryan, and is a pet-mom to their rescued cats, dog and ducks. She is the owner of Living Word Decor, an online shop where she creates hand painted wooden signs with Bible verses. When she’s not painting, she loves to go for walks, and to spend time in the word of God. www.LivingWordDecor.com

Some years ago, I was involved in a difficult situation caring for an elderly woman who had no family. I had the pleasure of meeting her through my grandmother since they were part of the same circle of friends. She was very poor in health, and many decisions surrounding her care and living situation needed to be made. To be honest, I felt completely unequipped to provide for many of her needs, and as the list of questions on how best to take care of her grew longer, my concern over how it would all work out weighed more heavily on my mind.

After a particularly trying day, I came home with a heavy heart to an email from a friend with this verse. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2 NKJV). I’m pretty sure I broke down in tears, partly from exhaustion, but mostly because I knew the Lord was telling me to look up to Him. The weight of what I was carrying was not meant to be on my shoulders, and His promise gave me a fresh sense of freedom and relief. I was reminded that day to look beyond the mountain in front of me, to the God who created them. If He could speak heaven and earth into existence, surely He would provide what I needed to care for her, and He was faithful until the very end.

On the night that she passed away, her roommate broke out into a spontaneous song. She sang Amazing Grace, and I joined in, not knowing how fitting that moment would be for the last time I would see her alive. I got a phone call around 12:30 that morning that she had passed peacefully in her sleep. All of my lingering concerns and questions were whisked away the moment she passed on to eternity. She was in the Lord’s care now, and I wouldn’t have to worry about her anymore.

God provided in many ways throughout that experience, just as He promised. The Wonderful Counselor provided me with wisdom and guidance for every decision I faced, the Mighty God made a way where there seemed to be no way, the Everlasting Father was always there to turn to, and the Prince of Peace provided me with a sense of calm despite my uncertainty.

The Christmas season is almost upon us. It is a time when we celebrate God’s greatest provision of all, the birth of His Son, Jesus. The first and brightest Christmas light that would ever shine was the star of Bethlehem that led the Magi to the place where Jesus had been born. The first and greatest gift ever to be given was our Lord and Savior. Because He lives, I have the assurance of His help and hope in my circumstances, and through my faith, the hope of eternal life.

It won’t be long now until we’re exchanging gifts of our own with one another. As we unwrap each present and thank our loved ones, let us not forget to thank God not only for all of His care and provision in our lives but especially for His ultimate gift of salvation.