this morning i was sitting here
feeling completely blessed
feeling overwhelmed with the goodness that the Lord has shown me
over the years
but especially this year.
i am blessed way more than i deserve!
the image above
was my little family only weeks after gregg had passed away.
my minivan had 3 carseats
my diaper bag had diapers & pullups
i was breastfeeding
i owned my own company
i was also alone.
i was overwhelmed with thoughts of how on earth i'd raise
not only myself
but these 3 baby girls.
but friends
if there is only one thing i could share with you
it wouldn't be a fashion tip or my favorite fragrance.
a great recipe or tips on how to plan a vacation in seaside
it wouldn't be my favorite pair of boots or how much i love jcrew and anthro.
it would be this.
the same loving heavenly father was with me then
in my home
as a single mom
as a 30 year old widow
with my baby girls
as is with me today
in a full home
as a married woman
& mom to 4 beautiful girls.
He was named Jesus
(matthew chapters 1 &2)
which means god who saves.
our deliverer.
Emmanuel
God is here
with us.
this christmas
one of my girlfriends will face her first as a widow.
this christmas
one of my girlfriends will face her first missing her beautiful teenage daughter.
the list goes on
i am acutely aware that this is not a happy time for many.
i know not everyone is wrapping gifts for large families
or has seemingly endless bank accounts
warm homes
& expensive gadgets.
but my prayer for you
no matter where you are in life
whether in fullness & exceedingly more than you ever dreamed
or sleeping alone in a bed that was made for two
is that you know
that you know
that you know
He
is
near
merry christmas my friends
ps...the above card was going to be the card however i couldn't fit all our names!
so i present you with plan B
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51 comments:
Paige this blessed my heart so much. To know that He is near, to really know...that is the sweetest gift ever. We sang Emmanuel God with ss this morning. Thank you for making that song mean more. Love you girl...oh and wondering where your gorgeous face is on that card!
beautiful paige. HE is the reason for the season.
awesome post from a strong faith filled woman. bless you and your family
So beautiful. There is such bravery in your face in that first photo. You deserve every blessing that comes your way.
Much love,
Linda
xo
Beautiful Paige~ I just love your blog!
Eph 3:20 ...now to HIM who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine....
AMEN!!! I love this post.
amen. this moved me to tears...thank you so much. blessings to you and your family.
Hi Paige, This is my first Christmas alone without my beautiful husband Dave. All the good die young . . so true. God is a big God and I know he is bigger than my situation . . and I know he has something bigger for me. Thank you for this post . . it speaks volumes to me. You have a beautiful family . . I'm sure you are very proud. Good Job Paige! God Bless, Sandy :O)
Thank you for this sweet reminder that our awesome and might God is also One who dwells within us. So hard to comprehend but truly amazing.
Blessings,
Alison
What a sweet, beautiful post. It's so nice to be reminded of what an incredible God we serve. He has rescued from darkness and your faithfulness is a testament to that. I love visiting your blog, Paige. You are so real and honest. I can only pray that when I am tested in the ways that you have been that I will love and serve my Lord the way you do. Thank you for being a wonderful example of a Godly woman!
Sweet Paige~
My heart is bursting with gratitude ater reading this... knowing that HE is with me, knowing that HE has lead me to you, and knowing that no matter our lot in life, HE will continue his never-ending love for each and every one of us.
Bless your heart, my friend, for reminding us all.
Hugs to you!
Melanie
Beautiful card but more importantly, beautiful message. Merry Christmas.
You said it all! Love your posts and the pics you share. One quick question...where is hubby on the card? Merry, Blessed Christmas!!!
Such a beautiful post! What a blessing you are to others through your blog! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Rebecca
Just seeing the picture of you with your young girls brings tears to my eyes. How sad this time must have been for you. SO glad that you found happiness again and added another sweet daughter to your family. Your Faith is strong and inspirational to all that read your blog. God Bless you this holiday.
Hi Paige,
I have enjoyed your blog from afar and just want you to know that you are such an inspiration. You have such a beautiful pure heart and I have been blessed through reading your blog. Blessings to you and your family this Christmas season and the whole year through.
What a sweet post!
I love, love, love both Christmas cards. You are sooo blessed!
love both cards...beautiful family...love the story that God has written for you and continues to write...
you inspire me.
He is near and I'm so thankful.
Blessings to you and thank you for such a warm and touching post!! Merry Christmas!!
Thank you so much for sharing this! It has truly blessed me:)
What a beautiful message Paige. Thank you.
A beautiful post!
I'm so very glad that this year I found your blog. Your posts always bring a smile, a laugh, a tear...a good feeling! You've lifted me up many a day and today was the best! I'm coming to the end of a difficult year and facing some uncertainties with the new year...But I know God is with me, loves me and will always be there and love me!
Wishing you and your beautiful family a Warm, Merry and Bright Christmas!
Bless You!
Tammy :-)
Blessings to you and your sweet family. (Sandra and I worked together at the same children's clothing store. Thank you for reminding me to continue praying for her and her precious family.)
So beautiful. So true.
Love to you this Christmas, Paige.
Kim
love to you my friend.
i'm so thankful He is near ...
beautiful, beautiful cards and beautiful words:)
xo
What a beautiful blog - I just happen to stumble across it one morning. I now read it every morning at work before I start my day. It's so encouraging - Keep shinning your light. You're making a difference. God Bless you and your family and Merry Christmas! - Alexis
What a beautiful post! Love the card but wish your hubby was featured!
Merry Christmas to all of you. A blessed new year too!
this post was such a blessing, a reminder of the gift we've been given of his presence. thank you! hope you and yours have a wonderful christmas together.
You have seriously always simply been beautiful strength in the midst, no matter what life has brought or brings, happy or hard....always with a grateful heart.
You are a precious blessing to us all my friend and for you I am grateful.
I think I needed this reminder to the core of my self today! To just remember that no matter where I've been this year (and it ain't always been a good place) God is the same God, and He is with us! Gosh.. that's just all I really need to think on, isn't it?
LOve your darling Christmas card.(s)
Merry Christmas you lovely lady, you!
Paige, we all need to STOP, regroup and remind everyone of this. Your posting touched my heart. And you are so right, there are those who are so blessed, and for that I am thankful. But as you have pointed out there are those who are facing struggles, daily, hourly, big life altering struggles. And we who know JESUS, need to come along side these wonderful souls and be JESUS for them today, in this Season of Light. I have two Aunts who are spending Christmas without thier husbands, one was married for 68 years and the other for 61 years. Both of these wonderful women know the Saviour, but there will still be an empty place at the table for them this Christmas. There are countless people who are still struggling financially, through no fault of their own, those who have lost their homes, and their security. I pray for these wonderful souls that they know that they are loved and that no matter how many presents are under the tree, or if you even have a tree, or there is an empty place at your table because someone you love is sitting at the King's table this Christmas, I pray for them, that they know, that our Saviour who was born in a Manger, who grew up to be a Carpenter, and who died for our Sins, loves you more that you will ever know.....
Christmas Blessings to you and yours Paige.
Curtis & Sherrie
Sweet sweet post!
Beautiful card(s) and family! Wishing all the blessing of the season to you and yours!
Janet
Thank you! for the beautiful inspiration.
sweets words to soothe the heart...yes, Our God is great and He is good...
Merry Christmas to you!
Rene
I have been reading your blog for over a year now, and occasionally responding anon. I love your style, in every way, but your visual style is what lead me to your blog, I think. More and more I am thinking God may have lead me. I am sort of a christian, I no longer attend church and am not very good or very faithful. Makes me sound terrible I know, but it is the truth. I don't have a great family life like you, and never have, but I come back and again and again to read your blog because you give me hope that goodness and kindness can make a difference and because you seem truly real and good and kind. Right or wrong you are my church this past year. I gain insight and "lessons" for the week (or something very important to think about) from you. You keep me going in a very hard economical time (even though I am guilty of being envious of some of the stuff you buy, I try to keep that in check) and your love reaches through the internet to me somehow. Thank you and, yes, I think you DO deserve all the blessing you have.
That is one gorgeous family you have.
I just have to ask...where is the photo of your husband.
Do you have a husband? Just asking...
xoxo
Amen sister...as I have been trying to live in the moment and being greatful for everything I have...I know there are others that are hurting, people who don't find the beauty in Christmas because they are alone, etc...I try to be aware so I don't walk around a fool, thank you for this post, I love this about you, you remember and don't take it forgranted! thank you! merry Christmas Paige! xo
Really this is the perfect Christmas wish. This season i've been trying to grab hold of all the stuff that it takes to pull Christmas together and i kept feeling it slip through my fingers... but it's been here in my home all along i just had to see it..... i walked into my 2 daughters room {7 and 10yrs old} last night after i thought they were sleeping and went to their room to take a book... & there they were on their kness by their bed saying their 6 hail mary's... they told me this is what they do every night after i turn off the lights there count down to Christmas... each night they say on less prayer ;) my heart melted with joy that they get it!
xo,
LuLu
Very sweet Paige. Both of these cards are beautiful! Have a very merry christmas!
Very well said (as always sweet Paige)
so glad for your bright smile in my life.....
All the blessings to you and your beautiful family this Christmas
xo
Anne Marie
my friend,
the cards are just beautiful. oh, are they. ; )
He is an awesome God. It brings tears to my eyes, just thinking about it. there are times i think... where would i be without Him.
xoxo
That was absolutely beautiful. I'm visiting your blog today. Thank you for such a sweet post. Merry Christmas.
Awesome post! Filming your story is still the one I talk about most because it is so encouraging and such an incredible story of steadfast faith and worthwhile hope.
Paige, I was sitting here thinking of writing a similar post...on the blog I have neglected totally due to hectic schedules and sad moments...some my own but more from friends who are in such pain. I will get this post done before Christmas...I think...but not so eloquently as you. Beautiful...the message and the photos!
Raiger, I love this... what a testimony of the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father!! I love you!! Merry Christmas!
See what
you miss
when on a
blog diet?
Never again.
I needed this.
I fed my soul.
Thank you, dear,
dear, Paige, for
framing IT as only
you can.
xx Suzanne
Thank you Paige. I needed this today : )
Beautiful post. God is good. You contiue to bless my heart. {I love the card}.
Paige- I don't comment often, but I read all the time! Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family! HE is the reason! I'm so happy I found your blog a few months ago! It's a heavenly feast of beauty and grace and fun. I hope to get mine revamped and running again in 2011.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder!
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