Holiday greetings, readers! Here’s my heart as it stands this chilly afternoon. The post is a bit all over the place but these are life lessons I need to get out even if they don’t flow editorially (nerdy writer jargon there!).
In recent trials God has been immovable, even though lots of things in my life are jumbled and messy!! He’s remained the same, so present, so fighting for my heart, pulling at its strings to guide me to true peace and joy…being firm with me as I often dodge the path of obedience. Sometimes I see that very narrow path and just don’t want to walk it because it appears too treacherous or challenging. Satan is a total jerk who has been trying so hard. I have to laugh in his face because he thinks he can win.
It’s not going to happen.
As someone who likes to have a general idea of what’s going on, not to be mistaken for control freak, because I’m not one, it’s been challenging to exist in a sea of uncertainties. I won’t expound because it could bore you, but let me just say, through it all my strength has been found in Him. I’m confident I can thrive even in the midst of struggle. I am much stronger than I ever thought I was…than I was ever brave enough to be. I do have my days where the residual pain takes my breath out of my chest and I need Him to be my breath–He is patient with me.
I want to encourage you, especially during the frenzied holiday season, to seek and protect pockets of quiet to reflect on the perfect plan God orchestrated when He sent His one Son to earth. I have two beautiful awesome lovely adorable boys and couldn’t bear the agony of losing them.
Let that kind of love register in your spirit…His love is truly wide and deep and exponentially growing for YOU, with each moment. Christ doesn’t need the tinsel and lights…He is THE LIGHT. But also know that He is the originator of beauty, and if He placed it in your heart to create an inviting, peaceful, anointed holiday home then by all means, deck the halls. As long as it is for the right reasons…don’t pressure yourself to keep up with the Joneses.
Decorate your heart instead.
some of my wreaths this year
I’ve heard the Christmas story numerous times. One of Truman’s books simplifies it quite beautifully. We got to the part about the angels singing glories and Wilder whispered, angels are everywhere, Mommy. They are in this room right now, we just can’t see them. They are going like this and this and this (and he gestures to show they are covering the living room ceiling, like a hedge of protection). To which I responded, Yes, Wilder, they absolutely are here protecting us. His deep child faith arrowed straight to my spirit and I was reminded to pray more frequently for safety. I have been so focused on the this season of not-knowing that I have faltered in my prayer life.
So, I leave you with this.
When your life is full of uncertainties, remember that God is quite certain of His love for you.
He will always guard you.
made this snowglobe!
And that certainty is plenty reason to be merry.
~
