It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS

There I was, sitting in my favorite Starbucks next to the Louvre while agonizing about the amount of work I would need to magically finish before the end of the semester. I was a highly caffeinated stress ball, with no work to be done by the end of the night in sight. I tried to make my brain work, telling myself to get something done if not anything. It was no use. The stress was too much and I left Starbucks in sadness and confusion. The outside chill had actually felt good in the moment, for I had grown too warm from my emotions inside. I decided against hopping on the metro to go home, for I felt that it would do me no good. I needed a relief from the emotions I was beginning to take on. Walks have always been my therapy, so I began to walk in the opposite direction of the metro station alongside the louvre.
After a few minutes of walking I was amazed to see the lights from a huge ferris wheel and what looked like a sort of Christmas fair in the Garden of Tuileries up ahead. I didn't know exactly what it was, but I knew was that God had brought me to there to bring me joy and comfort. God knows the things that make my heart happy and knows my ultimate love of Christmas. It was instant confirmation that God wanted me to be relieved of my stress and to have some joy.
I walked into the gates of Tuileries thanking God for the small things. The first things I saw while walking were cute booths filled with tasty smelling foods! There was French, German, Austrian food and more! Not only were there food booths, but shopping booths as well that were filled with Christmas gifts, Russian dolls, clothes, jewelry, and even sort of creepy baby dolls! People were eating, laughing, and having a great time with their families and friends. I walked with my headphones, listening to Michael Bublé Christmas tunes while taking in all the sights around me. I was in awe.
The Christmas market also had fair rides and different attractions including ice skating, fun houses, trampolines, cute animatronics, and even a nativity scene! I was having so much fun that I had completely forgotten about assignments, school and the stress of it all. It makes me want to cry when I think about how good God has been to me, and continues to be day in and day out. God had shown me this new event in Paris that he knew would bring me joy. He reminded me in that moment that this life is temporary and that if I spend all my time stressing and worrying I will miss out on whats important.
I can't say that I don't let my stress get to me some days. I will get caught up in my head and let anxiety win, but God always pulls me through and helps me to see what I am doing wrong. He brings me joy in the darkest of times and reminds me to

rely on him through it all. Glory to him who's love has no bounds.