Our family decided to take an evening drive on Christmas Eve in order to look at houses displayed in holiday lights. We dressed our daughter in her footed snowman pajamas, hat, and coat, while we threw on hooded sweatshirts, and into the car we went, until . . .

We made it two miles down the road, when the sound of gagging interrupted K-LOVE’s Christmas music. Three gags and the car filled with visions of regurgitated sugar plumbs. We made a U-turn, and headed disappointingly back home.

My wife took our daughter into the house for clean up, and I brought in the car seat for disinfecting. Before I could get the car seat disassembled for cleaning, the telephone rang. I knew by the caller ID that the call came from my grandfather’s house, but I honestly wondered if my grandfather had died, as I cannot remember the last time he called me.

My grandfather’s own voice alleviated my fears. He called to let me know that he received the family picture we sent and to wish us a merry Christmas, but primarily to share his happiness about our new pastorate, say he knew we would find success, and let us know that he offered prayers for us. He gave me the best Christmas present of the year, and I would have missed it had it not been for a two-year-old’s upset stomach.

A pregnancy before the marriage. Traveling on the delivery day. No room in the inn. What blessings have you found in unexpected difficulties?

photo credit: Curtis McCormick via photopin cc

©2012 Paul Tillman