"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Luke 2:14 (KJV)
Today, I'm thrilled to share a favorite Christmas memory from our very own, dear son, Zach!
19 years ago, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I was in labor, and he was born the following morning at 10:32 am, one day after Jesus' birthday!
He is the sweetest, most precious blessing Kevin and I have ever been given, and he graces our home with his loving, Christlike spirit and kind heart every, single day!
If we live to be 100, we will never be able to praise the dear Lord enough for sending Zach to us after many years of infertility struggles and 12 1/2 years of marriage.
To God be all glory!
(If you would like to be directed to our miracle, infertility story, click HERE.)
Without further ado, it gives us great Christmas joy to share Zach's story with you today, 19 years to the day after his original due date!!
Guest Post #9
"A Very Unexpected Christmas Surprise" by Zachary Smith
"I have been abundantly blessed with many wonderful Christmases, so it’s difficult to pick just one special memory. But there is one Christmas that truly stands out as one of my favorites, both in a comical and heartwarming way. But before I continue, I must explain an important aspect of my story.
When I was younger I was notorious for trying to figure out what I was getting for Christmas, and often to my parents’ dismay I would “accidentally” find a hidden present in our garage, in a closet, or any of the other spots my parents would try to hide gifts. So on this particular Christmas, after our family had finished opening all of our presents to each other, my parents said they had one more surprise for me.
Daddy went out to the garage and returned with a worn, beat-up, dusty, old, antique suitcase. My parents were thrilled as they explained that this was the suitcase my grandparents had used for years, and that they were now passing it on to me. If the suitcase had been given to me in more recent years I would have been more enthusiastic, but as I was much younger at that time, my spirits fell as I looked at the old, musty luggage.
The suitcase was a hideous, faded shade of rust and looked as though it had been through some rough times. My heart sunk to the floor as I thanked them for the gift. But I remembered that no matter what they gave me, it still meant so much to me because it came from them.
As I started to set the heavy monstrosity aside, they asked, “Don’t you want to see how the inside looks?” So I reluctantly opened the case. My jaw dropped as I looked inside; there was another wrapped gift! My parents looked on mischievously as I ripped the paper off a brand new PlayStation 3, cleverly hidden where I would never have thought to look—inside the ugly, old suitcase!!!"
I desire to draw closer to Jesus and be the best son to my great parents that I can be.
A huge thank you to dear Zach for sharing this special Christmas memory with us!
And, here is one of Zach's favorite Christmas songs. Enjoy!
Gloria by Casting Crowns
In case you missed them, you can read previous Christmas Memory Sharing Posts by clicking these links:
Christmas from the Dumpster
Matthew Timmons Shares his Heart this Christmas
Tipper Pressley Shares Christmas Memories
Chris West Shares Two of his Favorite Christmas Memories
Melissa Evans Shares A Favorite Christmas Memory
Aryn the Libraryan Shares Her Favorite Christmas Tradition
Gentle Joy Shares a Christmas Miracle
Kitty Shares Her Cherished Christmas Gift
Nancy Reinke Shares "A Rocky Mountain Christmas"
In case you missed them, you can read previous Christmas Memory Sharing Posts by clicking these links:
Christmas from the Dumpster
Matthew Timmons Shares his Heart this Christmas
Tipper Pressley Shares Christmas Memories
Chris West Shares Two of his Favorite Christmas Memories
Melissa Evans Shares A Favorite Christmas Memory
Aryn the Libraryan Shares Her Favorite Christmas Tradition
Gentle Joy Shares a Christmas Miracle
Kitty Shares Her Cherished Christmas Gift
Nancy Reinke Shares "A Rocky Mountain Christmas"
Oh that's so sweet! Do you all still have that suitcase?
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Regina! He was SO surprised and excited! I will never forget it. You know, with all our minimizing, I will have to look and see if we still have it. It would be nice to include a photo of it in this post, come to think of it! Thank you for your sweet visit and kind words. I hope you are healing from your fall and able to enjoy the Christmas season!
DeleteThank you so much, Regina! I trust that you and yours have a great Christmas!
DeleteCheryl! I loved this post and especially the photo of your dear Zach. What a good lesson for us all, not to just look on the outside of things/people. The real treasure is within. Thank you so muc to Zach for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
Oh, Betsy! Thank you so much for your kind words! That is a wonderful thought that you brought out about the treasure being within. You are a dear blessing to my family and me. Much love and many blessings to you!
DeleteThank you for this sweet comment, Betsy! I love the insight you shared, so true, the real treasure is within. Hoping that you and your family have a wonderful holiday season! God bless!
DeleteThis post by Zach might have brought a few tears to my eyes. Zach, thank you for posting!
ReplyDeleteI found your blog via Cheryl at A Joyful Cottage. As a former homeschool mom and homeschool teacher and follower of Jesus, I am so happy to find you! Additionally, I am a bit of a minimalist.
Merry Christmas!
Aw, Willow! How sweet you are! I am SO thrilled to meet you and so encouraged by your kind comments. So grateful to know that you enjoyed Zach's story. It is wonderful to meet a fellow homeschool mom and follower of Jesus and minimalist, too!! Sounds like we have so much in common. I hope we can stay in touch! Merry Christmas to you, too, my new friend!
DeleteOops--I meant Nancy.
DeleteNo worries - we knew what you meant! Many blessings to you!
DeleteI am so thankful that you enjoyed the post, Willow! Thank you so much for taking the time out of this busy season to read it, I truly appreciate it! God bless you and I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
DeleteYou have some very wise parents who know their son well. You are blessed..
ReplyDeleteThank you, sweet sister!
DeleteI could not agree more, Wise Hearted! I am beyond blessed. Trusting that you have a peace-filled Christmas season and a blessed New Year!
DeleteThis is a lovely story of childhood anticipation at Christmas. I enjoyed reading it, a real blessing and a great twist at the end. Thank you Zach. Merry Christmas to you all.
ReplyDeleteDiana
Thank you, Diana! So glad you enjoyed Zach's story! Have a Merry Christmas, too!
DeleteI'm so thankful that you enjoyed reading it, Diana! And it means so much to hear that it blessed you! Thank you for stopping by to read it and taking the time to leave this comment! I pray you have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!
DeleteCongratulations Zach on this wonderful story and happy birthday to you. Wishing you all the best always. You are obviously a wonderful well-loved son following your parents' great example. You should consider starting your own Christian blog. The Internet needs good examples like you.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your parents.
Victor, your words are so encouraging and kind. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! God bless you richly!
DeleteThank you so much, Victor! This comment means so much, I truly appreciate it! I certainly do not feel worthy of all the kind things you said, but I cannot say how much I appreciate you following the Lord's guidance in writing this comment, I really needed to hear it today. And I will absolutely consider starting a blog, I have considered it in the past and your comment gave me a renewed desire to give it a try. I trust that you have a very Merry Christmas and that God will richly bless you in the coming year!
DeleteThank you. God bless you all always.
DeleteI love this story! I am reminded to never judge a book by it's cover! We never know what is inside! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteThat is so true, sweet friend! Hugs and blessings to you, too, and Merry Christmas!
DeleteIt's great to hear that you enjoyed this Christmas memory, Cindy! And that is so true, we certainly don't know what is inside the various things that we tend to prejudge, it may turn out to be a very pleasant surprise! I hope that you have an amazing Christmas season! God bless!
DeleteZach, what a precious memory for you to remember.... and how nice that your parents cleverly created a special gift scenerio for you. Happy Birthday... and so glad that you want to follow Jesus in your life. May God continue to bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your sweet visit and kind words! God bless you and your family, too!
DeleteIt truly is such a special memory that I will always look back on. Thank you so much for the birthday wishes and for this encouraging comment! There's no other path to follow, I can't fathom how a person makes it through one day without the love and support that Jesus brings. Praying that the Lord blesses you with a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!
DeleteThis is such a fun story Zach! The best gifts really do come in the most unusual packages! Such a special memory you shared, and I am so thankful for the precious gift that you were to your parents 19 years ago! Blessings, hugs, and prayers for all of you!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, we are so very thankful, too, for this dear boy, and the precious gift he is to us each and every day! And, we are all so very thankful for you, dear friend, and your precious friendship, concern, and many prayers on our behalf. You mean so much to us, and we thank God for you! Blessings and hugs and prayers for you and your sweet family, too!
DeleteThank you so much, Marilyn! That is so true, reminds me of the unusual way our precious Savior, the greatest and best Gift of all, came to us, not with worldly praise and adoration, but in the most humble of circumstances possible, born in a stable to a virgin girl.
DeleteYour kind words mean so much, thank you so much for this comment! Blessings to you and your dear family in the New Year!
I LOVED this!! I can't stop smiling! What a cute and indeed memorable story Zach shared here!
ReplyDeleteYou truly are blessed with a wonderful son who is indeed already carrying on your legacy of love, caring and sweet nature.
Aw, I am so happy Zach's story brought a smile to your face and brightened your day, sweet friend! He surely is a wonderful son and has one of the kindest, sweetest hearts I have ever known. Thank you ever so much for your kind words, unfailing friendship, encouragement, and prayers on this journey. Much love to you today and many blessings1
DeleteI am so thankful you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for this incredibly kind comment! Trusting the Lord to bless you in the New Year!
DeleteI can't believe he's all grown up!!! What a handsome young man. I'm proud of him and I'm proud for you. I appreciate that your son was dedicated to our Father and is walking the walk.
ReplyDeleteMy how time flies, sister...
I can't believe he's all grown up, either! Where do the years go? How do they fly by so fast? I know you know how this feels. Thank you so much for your kind words. We are so proud of him, too, and it means the world that you are proud of him. You have watched him grow up and been a big encourager in his life, and we are eternally grateful. May the dear Lord richly bless you and your family for all you have done for so many. You are such a blessing!
DeleteI appreciate your kind words, Floyd! That means a lot to me! So thankful for your walk with the Lord and the great role model you are. Keep fighting the Good Fight! God bless you in the New Year!
DeleteOh my goodness, was that ever a cute memory of Zach's! I laughed when I read what was inside the musty old suitcase, after his dismay. What a special bio he wrote, too. I know you're proud of your son, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you ever so much for your dear, kind words, Kitty! We surely are so very proud of our dear boy. Only God will ever know how grateful we are to be his parents. Thank you so much for reading and leaving such encouragement for us! Merry Christmas, sweet friend!
DeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it, Kitty! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this encouraging comment! God bless you!
DeleteI so enjoyed your story, Zach. Your parents must have been so tickled to see how surprised you were. God bless you and your wonderful parents. Thanks for sharing. Nancy
ReplyDeleteThank you, sweet Nancy! Many blessings to you, my friend!
Delete