The hustle and bustle of Christmas time: malls crowded with hundreds buying last minute gifts, insurmountable heaps of traffic crowd the streets, and beautiful red and green decorations adorning hometowns. We seem to get so caught up in this crazy, hectic time of Christmas that we rarely sit down and have some peace to ourselves. The most valuable thing we could do this Christmas season is stop and take some time to reflect on what we have.

I’m just going to put it out there, 2016 was a tough year. It was full of tests and trials and many speed bumps along the way. We always seem to go into the New Year with such high hopes and expectations, however, to put it blatantly, 2016 was rough from the get-go. It seemed as though everything around me was crumbling down.

Although in the midst of all this, it made me realize all that I truly had to be grateful for. I had a family who deeply loved me, friends who were always there to support me, and I was getting an amazing education at a great university. Above all else, however, became my relationship with Jesus Christ.

My relationship with Jesus began to grow in ways I never thought imaginable. It was becoming an everyday and amazing relationship. I believe that is what trails may do to us. They help reveal what we have already been given all along. We have a Lord and Savior graciously and freely loving us as ourselves- ready to throw himself in the way of your trials and tribulations.

During this busy time of Christmas, take a moment and pause to reflect on all you have been given. Appreciate every second with your family. Love everyone unconditionally. And be filled with the joy given by our Savior.

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”