For many, Christmas is a JOYOUS occasion, but for some the holiday brings nothing but grief, heartache, the stirring up of bad memories, and perhaps tension and regrets. It's a time when most families gather to celebrate, but some families don't enjoy congregating because of past hurts. Understandable.
Others of you may love Christmas but for some reason battled feelings of sadness or loneliness this year. Perhaps 2009 brought heartache, turmoil, loss of employment, feelings of failure, divorce, ...or any number of things. Everyone suffers periods of pain and sorrow. It is called life, and we all must walk it day by day, moment by moment.
I read something today that struck a chord with me, and here it is:
"Any man can sing in the day. When the cup is full, man draws inspiration from it. When wealth rolls in abundance around him, any man can praise the God who gives a plenteous harvest? The difficulty is for music to swell forth when no wind is stirring. It is easy to sing when we can read the notes by daylight; but he is skillful who sings when there is not a ray of light to read by -- who sings from the heart. Lay me upon the bed of languishing, and how shall I then chant God's high praises, unless He Himself give me the song? No, it is not in man's power to sing when all is adverse, unless an altar-coal shall touch his lip? Then, since our Maker gives 'songs in the night' (Job 35:10), let us wait upon Him for the music."
I guess, then, the test that life throws at us is this: Will you keep singing even when the road gets bumpy and hard to travel, or will you grow silent, maybe even bitter, in your pain? Will you let God help you pick up the pieces of your broken spirit and downtrodden heart, or will you let the pieces lie there until they crumble into dust and your heart turns hard and cold? Will you lean into the Heavenly Father for strength and courage, or will you try to stumble along in your own strength, barely finding the ability to put one foot in front of the other?
GOD IS YOUR EVER-PRESENT STRENGTH. HE WILL NOT FAIL YOU, FORGET YOU, OR FLEE FROM YOU. He promises in His Word that He will carry you through every circumstance of life, no matter how difficult or impossible it seems. Trust Him to take your hand. Reach out. He is ALWAYS there...waiting for you to take the first step.
I love you ALL and welcome any prayer requests you might want to call to my attention. I promise to pray for you.
May 2010 bring abundant joy and God's richest blessings.
1 comment:
Shar,
So very true. My husband in his final trial of brain tumor paralysis before his death, was still able to raise his one hand to the heavens, singing praises to God. I picture God saying to him on his arrival in Heaven, "Well done, my good and faithful servant".
Sandi Elzinga
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