Today’s post is from my friend Cherrilynn Bisbano. She is part of my weekly Christmas posts. Her story is precious and amazing. It is truly a story of God’s love for us–working through a child. Please enjoy her story!

Merry Christmas!

Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD.

Psalm 31:24

“Your son saved my life,” my friend whispered to me after the church service.

     A few days earlier we were at a Christmas Dinner together and my then eight-year-old son ran to her and gave her a big hug. Bonnie welcomed his interruption. I was curious why he clung to my friend because he did not hug strangers. Bonnie held tight. I deduced it was because I was standing with her and, after all, it was Christmas.

     “What do you mean, my son saved your life?” I touched her arm.

  My friend shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “Remember the party when your son ran hugged me?”

“Yes. Is that the first time you met him?” 

Placing her hand on top of the table to steady herself, she shared.

     “Yes, that was the first time. My life is horrible—my daughter and grandchildren don’t want me around for Christmas, and I am devastated. I was seriously thinking of ending it all. When your son hugged me, I felt the love of Jesus. I knew I would be OK. He truly saved my life”

I was speechless. We hugged, cried, and parted ways.

While driving home, I asked my son if he had met my friend before.

“No mommy, I like her; she is nice.”

“So, Michael, why did you run to hug her? I know you don’t hug people unless you know them?”

“Oh Mommy, God told me to do it!”

Tears of joy wet my cheeks as I praised God for my son’s courage.

The angel Gabriel interrupted Mary’s wedding preparation. He told her not to fear. He proclaimed she would conceive the Messiah.

“The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.”

Luke 1:30 NASB

Mary’s Courage

She revealed courage when she declared,

“Behold, the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”

She did not question the angel about the consequences of her holy pregnancy. The results could have lifelong ramifications if no one believed her. Her marriage could end, and people would have labeled her an adulterer and a liar.

Bravery led Mary on a spectacular journey.

God calls us to be courageous. The word in the original language is: ‘amats confirm, be courageous of good courage, steadfastly minded, to prevail.

I learned from my son that listening to God and believing is life-changing.

What is God calling you to do today?

Take Courage.

Meet Cherrilynn Bisbano

Cherrilynn is an award-winning writer, speaker, and coach. She loves encouraging her brothers and sister to stand firm and shine for Jesus. She is an expert in Book Proposals and memoirs. Her book Shine Don’t Whine is helping many women overcome fear, anxiety, perfectionism, and worry. She considers it an honor to be published twice in Chicken Soup for the Soul-; Award-winning books, Kiss Guilt GoodBye, Heart Reno, Breaking the Chains, and Get to the Margins Author’s

Anthology. She is a monthly contributor to Arise Daily Devotions, Blue Ridge Writers Blog, and VineWords.net.

Cherrilynn proudly served in the military for twenty years, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award. She lives with her seventeen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 23 years, Michael, Sr. She loves Christ, chocolate, coffee, and cats.

CONNECT WITH CHERILYNN BISBANO AT

Website: https://cherrilynnbisbano.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cherrilynnbisbano/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherrilynn3/

Twitter @bisbanowrites

 LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherrilynn-bisbano-569b8838/

Shine Don’t Whine

tinyurl.com/shinedontwhine