For many, the Christmas season is a time of joy, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. It reminds us that God sent His son in human form to save us from sin and reconcile us to Him. But have you ever pondered that first Christmas season? Perhaps it wasn’t exactly filled with joy. I’ve often wondered what it was like for Mary.
“The ‘golden hour’, what’s that?” I asked the young woman with the camera. She smiled at me and said, “You’ll see; just watch.” So, I wearily sat on a rock and stared at the lake while I waited for my husband to return from fishing. It was nearing the end of a long, hot day, and I felt lightheaded and shaky. I’d recently been enduring a series of difficult days, in and out of the hospital, due to poor health. That’s why we took this day trip to the lake. We needed a break. However, I hadn’t felt well enough to enjoy it.
Have you ever felt like something was missing in your life?
On the surface, my life appeared fine. I had a good work-life balance, and my family was thriving and healthy. Yet, I felt something was missing.
One Sunday afternoon, my husband said, “We’re taking a day trip.” When I asked where we were going, he just smiled. I grabbed a jacket and got in the car. About an hour later, we arrived at a nearby lake. My husband whipped out a blanket and cooler. As we picnicked, talked, and relaxed, I realized what I’d been missing: connection and “being present” in our relationship. It took stepping out of my routine to see how my soul longed to listen, laugh, and love.
Sometimes life is just unfair. People can be selfish, cruel, and hurt us. We go through things no one should have to endure. Yet, others appear to go through life unscathed, as if nothing bad could ever happen to them. It can make us feel frustrated and hopeless.
We’ve all had them, a bad day when nothing seems to go our way.
I remember reading the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to my first-grade class. They giggled and rolled on the floor as Alexander struggled through arguments with his siblings, gum in his hair, and a marathon day of difficulties. All the while, Alexander kept proclaiming he was moving to Australia, as if this would solve all his problems.
At the end of the book, Alexander’s mom hugged him and said, “Some days are like that.”
We were never meant to figure things out on our own. Trust me, I’ve tried. I am a classic overthinker. I make informed decisions by weighing the pros and cons and determining the best course of action. Unfortunately, things don’t always work out the way I thought they would. So I end up going to God and pleading for help.
Have you ever walked into a crowded room and wished you could disappear or melt into the background? That’s pretty much how I’ve felt my entire life, because I struggle with small talk and feeling like I’m enough. I have…
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” Hebrews 13:15 (NIV) Do you know what our greatest weapon is? Let me explain. There have been days when…
What exactly does ‘God will never fail’ mean? How do we know?” Because, if I am being honest, sometimes, when life gets tough, it feels like maybe it isn’t true.
Sometimes, we pray and pray and pray some more, but our circumstances don’t change. Sometimes, it feels like we are waiting, oh, so long for a dream to become reality, a prayer to be answered, a friend to be healed, or a loved one to turn and follow Jesus. Sometimes, I wonder if maybe it’s just not part of God’s perfect plan. And then I feel guilty, because I know, my faith is wavering and I am not trusting God. Perhaps you’ve been there, too.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 (NIV) Why must I reach the end of my rope before I utter…
