My kids are giddy with excitement when it comes to Christmas. It’s such a special time of year for them. The story of Jesus, Christmas trees, decorations and the anticipation of presents can almost be too much for them.

We will frequently go to our local Big W or Target and the girls will walk the aisles picking, choosing, or requesting what they might like for Christmas.

I have often wondered, why younger kids seem to enjoy Christmas so much and that sense of ‘awe and wonder’ seems to fade as they get older. I think it is because even though they don’t know what they are going to get, they know it’s going to be good. That knowledge allows them to eagerly anticipate what is coming.

I think God wants us to have a child-like faith like this when it comes to life.

One of the most impactful verses in my life has been Romans 8:28 which says:

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

You can find that particular verse plastered all over things. Yet it holds a significant truth that can change the way we view life.

God is working everything out for our good.

Not just the good times when everything is going according to plan. But the bad times, when everything is a mess. The times where we are heart broken and disappointed and frustrated and wishing that things could just be different. Even in those times, God is working everything for good.

I once heard a preacher state it like this: “If it’s not good, it’s not over.”

If I can capture that truth in my heart, it changes the way I see the world. I can eagerly anticipate the future, not because I know, understand or have control over what it will be. But because I know that no matter what the future may hold, because of Jesus and His love for me, it will be good.