Every year I look for them: those glorious-impossibles!
Glorious-impossibles are those things you know God made happen just especially for you; the things of wonder and joy that are so surprising; those things you never even expected, those moments when what you thought might be totally impossible became possible.
So; have you too found this great wonder that usually happens during the Christmas season?
Or maybe God gave you glorious-impossibles all through this year?
Have you found them yet?
If not; there is still time.
A whole new year lies before you.
What will you do with it?
God always does this; you know? He has a way of putting His glory into our impossibilities and making miracles happen.
Every year, right after we pass the Christmas season, I deliberately stop to remember all of the past year’s glorious-impossibles.
I’ve never ever been disappointed.
God always shows me something new and different.
One year there was a yard full of red birds. Another year I gained a whole new family overnight. One year it was the secret of how to make Christmas out of nothing at all.
In 2014 it was a new granddaughter arriving, a house full of laughter and discovering the fact that that grown children never really actually grow up!
In 2015 it was a precious toast made by my grandson Vinny when he said “I’m thankful for my family.”
Not so long ago, it was receiving my father’s last gift to me; that of putting me in touch with a precious writing partner and good friend who shared her writing skills and experiences with me, and allowed me to help her write a radio series for a ministry heard all over the world.
One year it was the joy of my husband and my daughter’s boyfriend finding peace and forgiving one another for old and forgotten problems. I had the joy of seeing them start a new and happy relationship together.
Then there was the joy of the blessing of a whole-family vacation for the first time ever since the kids had grown up and ventured out on their own.
My goodness how this family has multiplied; and all but one of us made it to our gathering! Now that particular gathering has become an annual family tradition.
So many years of glorious impossibles!
I quit keeping count!
Many years of the past have held the miracles of simple things, and we have often enjoyed the miracles of presence over presents!
So many “glorious impossibles” have come straight down from heaven over the years. I love recounting them and reviewing them after every Christmas passes.
No year is ever the same but each year is blessed in its own unique way.
The glorious impossibles for 2016 were absolutely awesome!
These glorious impossibles teach us things we never forget. Christmas is such a teachable time. There is always something new that God shows us.
What has God shown to you this Christmas Season?
Most of these life moments when God reveals the glorious-impossibles to each of us seem to come when we are least expecting them.
They always show up in unexpected places and are often disguised in other people’s faces.
Typical, everyday happenings often turn out to be the unfolding of special events when you look back, like finding solid gold or pure diamonds in the middle of a mundane desert landscape. These glorious impossibles keep appearing and re-appearing each year to those who can see with their hearts.
You are never really expecting them; but after years and years of solid discoveries, you come to learn to keep your eyes wide open in eager anticipation.
The glorious impossibles are always made up of the special hiding within the ordinary.
That is where God loves to hide until He can surprise you at just the right moment and give you the gift of a memory you will treasure forever.
I’m a bit unsure about whether to speak yet; because it is hard to say if the glorious-impossibles are all done at our house for this year.
There still be many more “glorious impossibles” because for us Christmas is only half over.
We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with our Alabama Family; two of our daughters, our son-in-law, one of our daughter’s boyfriend, my mother and our sweet little granddaughter.
Our other daughter, her husband and our two grandsons (one that is squeaky new to this life) will not make it to see us until New Year’s Day because they now live several states away and needed to be home with their two little ones on Christmas Day.
So the glorious impossibles I’ve seen so far may have many more added on to them in the coming week. What a nice thing to know.
These family members we will see later are part of the glorious impossible number one for 2016.
GLORIOUS IMPOSSIBLE BLESSING NUMBER ONE FOR 2016: HAVING A NEW GRAND SON NAMED LENNON. The very first glorious impossible blessing of 2016 was the arrival of our little Lennon, a perfect little grandson born the day after Rosh Hashanah!
He is awesome and I can’t wait to get some holiday time with him this weekend.
The world is a much better place since Lennon has arrived.
We feel extremely blessed!
It seemed to us that Lennon would never arrive. He gave his Mama 7 days of labor! When he finally came into the world I made her a photo book called “Waiting For Lennon” I would have waited a million years to encounter his perfect little face. He is such a joy!
Our family is growing. I’ve also learned that the more your family grows the more glorious impossibles you encounter!
GLORIOUS IMPOSSIBLE BLESSING NUMBER TWO FOR 2016: ESTABLISHING MY OWN LITTLE PUBLISHING COMPANY. The next glorious impossible thing about the present year has been that of having the opportunity of starting my own freelance writing business.
WordCastle Publications LLC is now open for business and thriving! We will plan the official public launch soon.
This freelance writing business is not some new idea I woke up and chose for myself one day; it is what God chose for me because of who He made me to be.
I got a late start with my life’s purpose and there were a few delays along the way; but all of the writing has been slowly growing into something substantial over the last five years.
The whole world may not yet realize what an official writer I have become, but SOME of the world has discovered it is true. I have taken great pleasure in filling my days with the purpose I know God created and designed for me.
Some days I feel a lot like the Velveteen Rabbit who has finally become REAL! The company will grow slowly in stages. In a few years when I retire from my present day job; I will be able to devote full-time to writing. I can’t think of a better way to retire.
Currently, I write from 4 a.m. till 8 a.m. and from 7 p.m. till 9 p.m. four or five days a week.
Writing is like breathing for me; just another part of the day that I can’t put aside or ignore.
It isn’t ALWAYS profitable; but it IS ALWAYS good.
I am so very thankful to be owning and operating my own freelance writing business. There is great happiness and joy in giving the fruit of my labors of love a chance to pay off in retirement.
With great anticipation; I look forward to growing this little company and becoming even more focused in the future.
A few years ago I realized my glorious impossibles were coming in the form of new beginnings, and now with the not-yet-loud-and-official launch of this business, I am seeing the fruit of those new things come into maturity.
It has been a lot of hard work. The effort has taken great diligence on my part; but I’ve never been more grateful. For me; there is no looking back. I am soaking it all in and cherishing every moment while I still have breath.
Also, I am asking all those important questions that come along with change:
Am I giving as much back to others as they have so graciously bestowed on me?
Do I care enough about my readers and supporters?
Am I taking the time to let this happen well?
What should I do different in the coming years in order to fulfill the destiny of the words of my heart that I’m putting down on paper every day?
Am I missing any special elements that I need to make the best of every possible aspect of this special time that God is allowing me to enjoy?
Am I realizing all the things I have to be thankful for?
I ponder all of these late-in-life developments as I go along; recognizing that every glorious impossible is different.
Some last for a year; some last for a lifetime.
Every year brings me to a different stage of life. This year I have focused on establishing my writing career. I truly want to leave a legacy of love behind for those that have given me so many happy years. It is looking quite possible that God will allow me to do so.
I am hopeful and thrilled at this turn of events towards the end of my years.
GLORIOUS IMPOSSIBLE NUMBER THREE FOR 2016: REALIZING THE WEIGHT OF BEING A GOOD GRANDPARENT.
I caught myself looking at my beautiful little granddaughter during our Christmas family time and thinking; what does she really need from me that she cannot get from everyone else in this room full of loving family members?
When she comes and curls up beside me on the sofa after a long exciting and joyful day at our house and she lays her pretty little head on my shoulder and I feel her peace and quiet joy at the end of a beautiful day, suddenly I know the answer.
There is a certain sense of stability that grandparents give to their grandchildren. This is something they cannot receive from anyone else. Stability is a huge part of what I hope to give to her and to my two grandsons.
They know how unconditionally they are loved.
These children clearly know they can make mistakes and mess up and still have our full hearts completely at their beck and call.
Each one knows that we are going to be here for every possible moment that they want us to be here, with a smile and a hug. We know that this love is the last thing we want them to remember about us, even when we are not able to be there in the future.
“Getting” this knowledge from first-hand experience is such a blessing!
GLORIOUS IMPOSSIBLE BLESSING NUMBER FOUR FOR 2016: WATCHING MY GRAND KIDS DISCOVER JESUS. This glorious-impossible 
blessing became reality with me when I saw our granddaughter playing with the manger scene. She clearly knew who Jesus was (as much as a two and one-half year old child can know) and she was introducing Him to her “frozen” dolls, telling Him all of their names and telling each doll that Jesus loves them.
She would sneak into the kitchen where we had a manager scene set under a lighted tree and she would have imaginary conversations with Jesus, Joseph, Mary, the Angels and the Shepherds and the Wise Men and The Animals for hours on end. I quit worrying about the glass figurines getting broken and let the heart of a child do its work.
Sweet glorious impossibles!
I loved this perfect gift of the season.
It was like God focused on this little girl this year as an instrument to let His light shine through in our home.
GLORIOUS IMPOSSIBLE BLESSING NUMBER FIVE: WATCHING THE GENERATIONS PASS ON THE FAMILY TRADITIONS. The next glorious impossible came through to me when my mother came over on Christmas Eve. I saw a little two and one –half year old granddaughter take her hand and lead her on a tour of the house which we had allowed her to help us decorate for Christmas.
She pointed out every little detail to her great-grandmother. She did not miss one item.
She had a little story or comment about each room of the house, and my Mom seemed thrilled to hear all these little stories.
I silently thanked God for giving us that time together to decorate the house. I knew some memories had been made that would never be forgotten. I loved how she was passing them on to the others that she loved.
That moment quickly became the next wonderful glorious impossible!
GLORIOUS IMPOSSIBLE BLESSING NUMBER SIX FOR 2016: THE JOY OF MAKING MEMORIES AS A FAMILY. I had made my husband a nice set of photo books filled with the memories made by our family over the last year.
We (my granddaughter and I) put them inside a pretty little box with a card and I let her help me take it to him. He loved the gift, and they sat down in a chair together to look at the books. Before we knew it they had spent a few hours remembering together! 
They talked about our last Christmas, this past Thanksgiving, her two year old birthday party, and our family vacation to the beach.
I’ve never heard so much laughter!
She was telling him all about those books and saying “That’s me and Pop at ME house!
That’s me and Pop at the beach!
That’s me and Pop at ME birthday….”
It was adorable.
Again I sensed that feeling of stability that a grandparent gives to their grandchild.
I saw a sense of personal identity that came from being involved in a loving family which was forming in a little child of two.
Another great glorious impossible!
I silently thanked God.
GLORIOUS IMPOSSIBLE BLESSING NUMBER SEVEN FOR 2016: HAVING THE WHOLE FAMILY TOGETHER AROUND THE TABLE.
The seventh glorious impossible was that same one that comes together every year when those that can make it gather around the family table and give thanks to God for all He has done for us during the year we are about to leave behind.
So many memories!
So much to be thankful for!
To see them all sitting around the table and laughing and feeling at ease with each other is something I never take for granted.
The love in the room as we share the festive meal and the care and thought that has been put into each little present and package; it is an amazing glorious impossible filled up with so many special little moments!
To see my son-in-law appear with a huge grin on his face after a long hard day’s work with a bouquet of Christmas flowers in his arms for my house was amazing and heart warming!
I loved watching him and my daughter play on the floor with their daughter.
To hear my daughters laughing together in the kitchen and to hear a son-in-law, the single daughter’s boyfriend and my husband engaged in serious conversations felt so nice!
To see my granddaughter playfully giving my daughter’s boyfriend a high-five when he entered the room with a huge smile on his face; that was all very touching and beautiful to me.
To see the silly faces as they all tried on reindeer antlers and watch my granddaughter go get her princess hat for my daughter’s boyfriend to wear was so funny!
I watched the three of them hold hands and dance around the kitchen laughing.
Once again I enjoyed the blessings of laughter in the kitchen!
I love that the kitchen seems to be the most “alive” room of my house.
For that moment; I just took it all in; and I watched later as the living room was being filled up with colorful crinkles of wrapping paper. I thought this all was just another great glorious-impossible all over again!
GLORIOUS IMPOSSIBLE BLESSING NUMBER EIGHT FOR 2016: Then comes the quiet; the time after everyone has given you their hugs and the door closes on the last visitor and it is just us left together in our home.
We each go about picking up things here and there, putting the colorful shreds of paper into the garbage and piling the dishes in the kitchen sink. Then we both take our places on the sofa and in the rocking chair; not having to say a word.
The blessings of a quiet life.
Each knowing the other had a fun and fulfilling day, each noticing the quiet and appreciating it at this end of yet another perfect Christmas Eve; and we finally get to do what we have wanted to do for a few weeks – rest without a schedule and simply bask in good memories and peace.
It is one of those simple little glorious impossibles. The peace that comes after a joyful holiday has ended and you know that everyone was well-loved.
GLORIOUS IMPOSSIBLE BLESSING NUMBER NINE FOR 2016: SEEING MY MOM HEALTHY AND HAPPY AND COPING WELL AFTER THE DEATH OF MY FATHER. The next day my husband and I went out to see my Mom for a few more hours. Tired of cooking and cooking; we took her to eat at the Cracker Barrel. We took our time and chatted with her for a long time.
Later we worked on a few little things going on at her house. As we fixed a few things that had broken, we listened to all the adventures at the Senior Center and The Sunday School Class and what was happening with her neighbors and friends.
I thought to myself what a blessing it was to have her healthy and happy and well-adjusted in this just two years after the death of my Dad.
A silent prayer was lifted up as I thanked God for a healthy and happy Mother that I can still see and talk to and take to lunch whenever we feel up to it. She had spent a lot of time caring lovingly for my Dad in his last days, and it was good to see her adjusting back to a happy and normal life again.
I could probably name a million more glorious impossibles if I just stopped to think long enough; but I will stop here and encourage you to review the glorious impossibles of your own Christmas Season this year.
No matter what your circumstances; I promise you if you really stop to ponder God’s blessings on your life, you will come up with many. You might want to try writing them down as I have done for the last five years in my blog; just so you can go back to them whenever you are feeling not so blessed and get a very good reality check.
God is good all the time; but He just sends down so many glorious impossibles in the Christmas Season, and I’m so very thankful for each and every one.
Those glorious impossibles just never cease to amaze me!
Year after year I continue to count them, and year after year they continue to arrive. I am barely able to list so many blessings in these columns anymore; in a few years this will have to be a book instead of a blog column!
I’m not complaining; mind you……I’m VERY grateful and never take a moment for granted.
I suspect it is that same way for God’s children all over the land who have learned the secret of remembering the glorious impossibles.
Have you found your glorious impossibles this year?
They are probably right under your nose if you will just open your eyes and heart to see.
