The Perfect Gift

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. ~Eph 2:8-9, NIV 

While our children were growing up, we lived in Florida, where winters and cooler temperatures were non-existent. Every winter break we loaded up the car with snow sleds, Christmas presents, and our portable Christmas tree. Singing Christmas songs along the way, we traveled to some faraway state, a place guaranteed to find snow.

After arriving at our rental condominium, we tucked all the presents under that miniature tree and turned on the sparkling lights. Then, we snuggled in front of the fireplace and cheered for our favorite football teams or watched a movie, sipping hot chocolate loaded with whipped cream and sprinkles.

In the morning, we rushed to the window to catch that first glimpse of a newly fallen snow. Snow so clean, perfect and unspoiled, and shimmering like diamonds.

On a trip to Minnesota, we discovered the destructive nature of those beautiful white flakes. During our two-day drive through single digit temperatures, it snowed, soaking some of the items secured on top of the car. Then, they froze. Care to guess what we packed on top of the car? Right. The Christmas presents. How do you tell your children that they’ll have to accept an IOU for Christmas?

We learned something that year. One, always pack the presents inside the car, everything else on top. Second, that snow isn’t always pristine. Snow can be dirty and destructive.

Just like sin in our life. Sin stains our heart. Destroys our relationships. Harms our body and inflicts serious emotional scars. Leaves us feeling dirty, like the leftover sludge after tires have trampled through snow.

There is only one gift that won’t spoil or freeze. During this hectic holiday season, I thank God for the “perfect” gift given to me.

What is that perfect gift?

It’s a chance for a fresh start. Paint bright enough to cover grimy walls. Spring-cleaning from the ceiling to the floor. The shimmering purity of freshly fallen snow.

Salvation is a gift offered to you by a loving Father with no strings attached. This Christmas season, will you accept the gift He offers?

REFLECT & PRAY:

Are you suffering from the consequences of sin? Do you want to dust away the cobwebs and deep clean your heart? You can’t do it yourself, but Jesus Christ can and will, if you ask Him.

Oh, God, I ask for that perfect gift, salvation offered through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Please wash away my sin and make me clean and pure as a freshly fallen snow. Amen.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. ~Psalm 51:7 NIV

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by JoAnn Durgin - My Review

About the book:

Jacob Marston, Starlight, Iowa's hometown hero made a long-ago promise to the Lord: he won't kiss a woman until he knows she's "the one." Now at age twenty-eight, the rugged firefighter questions if it'll ever happen. Then, he meets his best friend's sister, and Jake believes he's found the woman of his dreams. But what will she think when she discovers his vow?

When Julia makes an unexpected confession on Christmas Day, Jake shares his secret with her, and it looks as though happily-ever-after will make a holiday appearance. 

But somehow, everyone in the tiny town of Starlight learns Jake’s secret, and he's instantly transformed from town hero to laughingstock. Did Julia reveal his secret? Can Jake forget the humiliation and find his way under the mistletoe to share a forever kiss with Julia?

My thoughts:

Jake's the ideal hero: a firefighter who exudes boyish charm, a kid magnet, a guy who's been hurt by an ex-girlfriend who left him because she didn't appreciate his values, his vows, or his town. Julia's a pediatric nurse, who loves her family, but she's grown tired of them fixing her up with any and all available males. Her heart is set on Jake, but distance and other relationships stand in the way.

Don't you love books that leave you with an "awww" when you flip to the last page? Where the conflict stems more from the circumstances that keep them and their budding romance apart, rather than constant bickering between the hero and heroine? Meet Me Under the Mistletoe is one of those books,  immediately tugging you into the blooming romance between Jake and Julia and leaves you with a satisfied feeling.

Durgin plunks you into the heart of Starlight and weaves you into the lives of the characters. At 145 pages, Meet Me Under the Mistletoe is a good length to read during snatches of time during the holidays. It wasn't too short, leaving me wishing for more, and not too long to stress me out. Just right for the holidays!  

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe is offered as part of Pelican Book Group's Christmas Extravaganza for only 99 cents during December. To read an excerpt or to purchase Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, click here. 

Do you like reading stories that leave you with a satisfied feeling? 

Have you been able to squeeze reading into this already bustling holiday season?

Disclosure: I received this book from the author for a fair and honest review.

Everybody Loves Mickey by Therese M. Travis - My Review

About the book:

He’s a saint with a tarnished halo, and Aubrey Thomas can’t stand him…or can she? 

Handsome fireman, Mickey Hurst is loved by all. He volunteers at the local parish where Aubrey Thomas works as an administrator. He sings in the choir. He leads the youth group. He even acts as the church handyman, but Aubrey knew him before he became Saint Mickey—when he told her he’d have to be drunk to kiss her…and he was. What’s so infuriating is that despite his horrible admission, Aubrey loves Mickey as much as everybody else. 

Mickey doesn’t blame Aubrey for disliking him. After all, he kissed her when he wasn’t sober—and insulted her, to boot. Aubrey deserved a better man—a Godly man. But, since that fateful kiss, Mickey’s drawn closer to the Lord. With the intercession of God and the matchmaking parish staff, Mickey prays that this Christmas he will be able to prove to Aubrey he’s now the man for her.

My review: 
Don't you just love the cover? It looks so fun and playful, and that's exactly how I felt about this book. 

Mickey kissed Aubrey while he was drunk but apologized the next morning, blaming the kiss on the alcohol. Like he'd never be tempted to kiss Aubrey while he wasn't inebriated. Aubrey enjoyed the kiss, hated the apology. He hasn't been able to look her in the eye since that kiss years ago, and she hasn't forgiven him. Great conflict! The author even tucked in a little subplot with a theme: One sin is not greater or less than another. 

It's been a year since I read any Christmas novellas. I forgot how enjoyable, and how short, they can be. I would have liked a little more...ending. But, even so, the end was sweet. 

Overall, this was a great story to spend a couple hours relaxing with in front of the fireplace on a cold winter evening. Sure to make you smile. 

Available with White Rose Publishing as part of their 2012 Christmas Extravaganza offering. To purchase or to read an excerpt of Everybody Loves Mickey, click here. 

Disclosure: I received this book from the author for a fair and honest review.