Something has been heavy on my heart the past few days. Christmas is a time of hope and peace. Hope is something that we all need; some more than others. And peace, we need peace.
I read so many blogs. Probably too many. I spend so much of my time reading and praying over blogs of people I do not know. (my husband really makes fun of me for this.) A blog written by a husband who lost his wife to breast cancer very shortly after their first daughter was born. Blogs written my mothers who have lost their children. Blogs written by women who long to be mothers. I obviously do not have any children yet, but these blogs tug at my heartstrings daily.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
1 John 3:1
I am praying for peace and hope this season for so many. Firsts are hard. First birthdays, first Christmas. First Thanksgiving. First Mother's Day, first Father's Day. First anniversary of knowing/finding out the news. So many firsts and they are all so difficult.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Christ came to bring hope and healing to the suffering. At times I question this in my own life. I have so many questions that I still do not have answers to. But I know that Jesus has me. He has never left me even though I ask, "Why?" And I ask it a lot. My husband has said this before and it brings me so much comfort..God is big enough for my questions.
The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.
Psalms 37:23-2
I have found so much comfort this week in this song. It was a song that we used in our Christmas pageant this year and it is so powerful.
Merry Christmas sweet friends. I pray that you will find peace and hope during this Christmas.
I love you all!
I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. I am a new reader of your blog and I just wanted to say hello and thanks for this post.
ReplyDeleteSara
Good post, preacher.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Lindsay. Your Mom said I would love this song, and of course, I do!
ReplyDeleteAs you said - so many firsts ... so much to celebrate yet so much sadness to bring to the Lord's feet.
May you and your sweet husband have a Christmas of great peace as you walk hand-in-hand with the God of the universe.
Much love from the Waits Family!
Well said, Mrs. Woods...You got me all choked up. =) We wish we lived closer to you guys so we could see you more often. Thank goodness for your blog! You are an amazing woman with an awesome husband. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour words have touched my heart. Christmas is such a mixed bag of emotions -- yearning for past days with loved ones, yet loving the blessings and joys of today. Wishing we could have it both ways. Knowing we can't. God only knows the longings of our hearts; good thing too, I think God is the only One who can handle the collective burdens of us all. Much about Christmas is choosing joy in spite of it all, don't you think? Joy and peace in the midst of whatever wounds us. So many "firsts", some of which we never expected to experience. Thanks for your thoughtful posts and mostly for your prayers. I join you in them!
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