Category: Kathy Mowery

Guess what? Thanksgiving and Christmas have NOT been canceled for 2020! My family is going to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas like we do every year because JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON and for my family, we have so much to be thankful for.

Of course, I will miss seeing my parents and my siblings this holiday season. And NOT because of the coronavirus but because this year we are celebrating Thanksgiving at home and then we are heading to Florida to celebrate Christmas with my husband’s parents whom we have not seen this year because of the virus. Normally, I would have already seen my in-laws this year but because of the coronavirus, my husband and I have been able to make the trip to Florida. I so miss those together with family.

I know many of you understand what I am talking about. My husband has not seen his parents all year, and if you have not seen your parents or family this year either, I am so sorry but please do not let this virus ruin your holiday. You can still FaceTime your loved ones and you can still give thanks and celebrate Jesus’s birth. And of course, you can still cook yourselves a feast, and don’t forget to watch at least one Christmas movie which your family, one of my favorite activities for Thanksgiving weekend.

During this crazy year, I have prayed a lot. By faith, I know God is working, even though I can’t see the total results He has for us. And in the midst of all the craziness, I remain faithful because I have witnessed HIS timing to be perfect. I am keenly aware that HE knows best for me and for my family. He has blessed each of us this year for which I am so thankful.

Watching the news reports and talking with friends, I’m aware you might not be able to say that about your family and I am truly sorry for your loss. Please know, I am praying that God blesses you and your family in 2021 as HE has never blessed you before.

Know these words… I challenge you to allow them to take root in your spirit… “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.  To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen” Philippians 4:19-20 NIV.

My prayer is for you to have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.

Right after this past Christmas, my family and I were sitting in our living room talking about how amazing 2020 was going to be. My son would be graduating from high school in May, then off to college for a Summer’s Engineering Program and my daughter would be finishing up her first year in college, finding a job, and turning 20.   We were looking forward to 2020.

Little did we know that 2020 would be a year we would never forget.  Shortly after celebrating the beginning of the new year, we started hearing about something they were calling, Coronavirus.  In March, right after my son and daughter’s Spring Breaks, the fear of spreading the virus kept them from returning to school. Looking back, I began to wonder if my son would have a graduation.  My heart went out to every graduating class of 2020 as the News Reports continue to paint such a dark picture of what was happening in our world.  However, at no time on the journey from one report to another, did we ever lose faith. On multiple occasions this year, God has shown us his power of protection as He continued blessing my family.

One such example; When the good news arrived about the decision to hold graduation ceremonies in our outdoor stadium.  Parents and graduates alike were praying for good weather, even as rain was being forecast during most of the weather forecasts.  I don’t know how many prayers I lifted up to God, but I know he heard every single one of them.  The night of my son’s graduation, they were predicting rain along with possible heavy thunderstorms.

It was our turn… Graduation Day was a cloudy day.  However, no rain and that evening we saw a beautiful, breathtaking sunset.   As soon as the ceremony was over, the announcer on the PA system said, PLEASE LEAVE IMMEDIATELY, MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE NEAREST EXIT, while it started to sprinkle.  Well, we weren’t in too much of a hurry because after all, it was just sprinkling and it’s going to take more than a few drops of rain to make me run for the truck. However, just as we made it to my husband’s truck and were safely inside, it was as though every drop of water in the skies began to fall on us. This was a real Texas downpour. It was all the windshield wipers could do to keep up as we drove home. It continued to rain long after we arrived home.

That night I witnessed both the power and the goodness of our God. He knew the importance of the graduation ceremonies to every parent and family member of those graduating.  He held back the rain, calmed the thunder and lightning that night until we were safely in our vehicle and then protected us on our way to our homes.   His timing was perfect and I thanked him numerous times from a grateful heart for His miraculous hand of protection at work in and through our lives. He had once again answered a mother’s prayer to help her make her son’s graduation a success.

This is just one example of the blessings God has given me and my family this year.  And while I have no idea what the future holds for my family, there is not a doubt in my mind, GOD IS IN CONTROL. And the things that are important to me are important to Him.  There is no challenge too large, neither is there any challenge too small for Him. He hears and answers our prayers and delights in our praises.

I started writing when I was probably around twelve or thirteen. The first story I wrote was called The Magic Lunch Box which is pretty humorous according to my kids but the fact that I was able to write a short story at a young age impressed them. While my kids were younger, I was involved in their activities along with Women’s Ministry. Now that they are older, I now have to the time to write and to have published my novels. I am very proud of The Christmas Letters and I can’t wait for all of you to read my next novel/devotional next year. The name of the book is A Mother’s Heart and it will be coming out for Mother’s Day.