ALLOW YOUR HEART TO SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS AGAIN I know I can be a unique kind of crazy at times, especially at Christmas. I’m the crazy lady that doesn’t mind thunderstorms, cloudy days or 5” of snow in April. (I can see you guys rolling your eyes 🙄😂) I’m that one who’s listening to Christmas music in secret right after Labor Day so no one will think I’m nuts. So, it’s easy for me to write a different reminder every month about the “word” I chose for 2018~”Christmas”~along with all the reasons I love it, and why we should celebrate those reasons throughout the year. But what about those who don’t love Christmas? The Christmas my mom died I determined that nothing on my calendar was going to change, maybe I was trying to stay busy so my heart wouldn’t have a chance to face the pain. A ladies Christmas cookie exchange had been on our church calendar for quite a while and I was hosting it. The night before, I decided that I wanted my Christmas tree up for the party. My husband urged me “not to go crazy”, (I’ve actually heard those words from him quite often) and told me the ladies would surely understand, but I wouldn’t listen. At 1am I put the last of the bulbs on the tree~ some very special ones my dad had just given me. They were bulbs my mom kept through the years from her very first Christmas with my dad. I felt relief when my head finally hit the pillow that night. The next day everything seemed to be running smoothly. With only an hour to spare, disaster struck with a loud crash. My Christmas tree had fallen over and my mom’s bulbs were shattered all over the floor. I sat down right there in that mess and sobbed. I felt a deep pain inside. My heart felt shattered just like those bulbs and I wasn’t sure my life could ever be beautiful again. I didn’t have time for a pity party so, despite my inner turmoil, I got up and cleaned up the mess and there, behind the tree I found one beautiful bulb that did not break. The sobs returned. Love for my mom filled a broken heart that was desperately hurting. I know that the world is full of people who have gone through something similar in their own lives. A situation that broke their heart, or hardened it. Something that made them despise the holidays with all its reminders of what was, or what could have been. The cheerful music and beautiful decorations only make them more glum and the Merry Christmas greetings make them want to hide in silence and cry. But God so LOVED the world. YOU are His world. But God SO loved the world that He gave. He gave Love, He gave hope, He gave EVERYTHING His SON~ for YOU. Your heart might be hurting in silence, inwardly screaming in pain. Let me remind you, sweet friend, that you mean the world to your Heavenly Father. Allow His Love to come into your darkness and show you all the hope and peace and joy that “Merry Christmas” truly means. Allow Him to be the light of your world. It didn’t happen for me overnight. My mom died one month before Christmas. The pain lasted a long time and every year I am reminded, without even thinking about it. Winter snowflakes and crisp air. The smell of cookies. Andy Williams, Charlie Brown and Rudolph. One beautiful bulb that did not break. My mom~wrapped up in all these things. My desperately hurting heart was just like that beautiful bulb to my Savior. I thought it was shattered. I thought my life couldn’t be beautiful again, but He made it beautiful. Christ alone. Because His love found me and His love healed me. Allow His love to wash over you today and heal your brokenness. Allow your heart to say Merry Christmas again. |
JKL;JKL;JAKFLD
AJKL'AJL Archives
May 2024
Categories
All Cheerfulness Christian Walk Circumstances Comparison Compassion Depression Faith Family Fear Finding Joy Forgiveness Freedom God's Gift God's Love God's Rest Heaven Hope Infertility Insecurity Losing A Loved One Marriage Others Peace Prayer Raising Children Salvation Serving Strength & Weakness Suffering/Trials Thankfulness Thoughts Time Trust Waiting Worry |
© 2020 HOLDING HOPE