This Christmas season I have to say has been the most creative in regards to gift buying. With limited funds and ideas, I didn't know how I could give presents to folks like I normally do.

For the past few years I have made earrings, key rings and bookmarks. But this year I had some additional challenges. Some of the people had already received earrings from me as well as all the other items. Could I give them yet another pair or earrings or another bookmark? Then God gave me a great idea. With camera in hand I ran to my neighbor Debbie and ask if I could take some pictures of her cats. I told her I was working on a project. You see what you don't know about Debbie is her husband died a couple of years ago of cancer. They had been together as a couple for 17 years. 11 years dating and 6 years of marriage.

When they got married, Debbie would find out she was going to inherit his children, his cats...4 cats actually. Debbie went from a non-cat person to a cat person over night. As time went on, Debbie would learn to love these cats. When her husband died, these cats became her family, her comfort and her memory of her husband.

So there I was clicking pictures left and right. One cat kept running from the camera, two others posed fairly well but Abby, the fat cat was like, whatever. She barely moved and seemed not interested at all. Well I finished and came home to quickly pull the pictures up on my laptop. I then made a collage and added the word "friends" and some scripture. I printed it in color and framed it. I had planned to give it to her this past Sunday.

Sunday morning came and while I was getting ready for Church, I got a text from Debbie that Abby, the fat cat had stopped eating and drinking. Debbie said she had to put her down. I mean, she was 17 years old but still, she said it was like losing her husband all over again. And on top of things, she didn't even have a picture of her. I then smiled to myself. Later that night I gave Debbie the picture of all her cats. She just started to cry. She said "Kris, how did you know?" I was like, God knew, God knew.

Thank you Lord that our gifts don't always have to have a store price tag. But instead, they can come in a package that reminds of the price you paid for us all.

Merry CHRISTmas my friends, my prayer warriors.

Psalm 145:9
The Lord is good to all, Compassionate to every creature.

Today I was looking out my bedroom window and saw what I thought was a cat in a tree. From the angle and distance I was at, it had a calico colored fur. I thought, I know cat's can climb but I had never seen one in a tree before. Food must be short supply. lol. I decided to walk outside to get a better view and realized that it was not a cat but instead a red-tailed hawk. And it was magnificent. I had never seen one this close except at a zoo. I decided to get a closer look, armed with my cell phone to take a picture (mad that I didn't grab my real camera in time). Although I knew I would't be able to get a great shot with my cell phone, seeing the hawk was more important than capturing it's photo. As I walked closer he turned his head to watch me. I didn't make a sound. I crept close and closer to watch this beautiful bird. As he watched me, he was also listening and watching for food. The smallest rustle of leaves would draw his attention. I watched as he stayed very focused on the prize. With one turn of his head, he kept me in view but at the same time never gave up the real purpose. As soon as I appeared to get too close, he flew 10 feet away to another tree. Again, I approached to get a better photo and he again, he flew farther away. He didn't appear to fear me but knew when to stay and face danger and when to run. Because ultimately he was after a prize and nothing was going to get in his way. Nothing.

Like the hawk, we are here to go after the prize. The prize of our salvation and sanctification. The prize of leading and winning souls to Christ. The prize of working and serving the Lord. The prize of building our relationship with Him. And even though things come our way that may or may not be danger at first glance, a temptation, a threat to our quiet times, to our work, to our relationship, to our sanity, we must not loose focus on the prize for which he has called us heavenward. You have to know when the Lord well enough to know what is after you to destroy you and know what is after you to grow you.

Thank you Lord that everywhere I go, you are there.

Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.