It’s Christmas time and the trees are decorated, the garland is up, the music plays daily and the movie marathon has begun. It’s always such a beautiful time of year and I am so grateful and thankful that we have a home, family around, the weather is mild and the smiles are still on the faces of those dear to us.
This Christmas is going to be slightly different for our family. With change, comes sadness, and with sadness comes concern. Concern over the unknown, concern over more loss of friendships that we’ve held dear, and the acknowledgement that we live in a cruel world.
As I ponder these changes coming toward us at a rapid pace, I continue to focus on the reality that God’s grace is not about prediction, not about having all of the answers nor is it about abundance. God’s grace is about the unconditional love of a shepherd over a flock that doesn’t deserve to have Him. It’s about trusting in the unknown explicitly, knowing only one thing…there is someone who cares enough to make sure to plan out every detail so that we do not have to worry about anything. It’s about trusting in blind faith that carries our burdens for us.
For some, giving up control over the things they truly cannot control is difficult. There is an innate sense of obligation that is understandably part of human nature. How do we overcome disappointment? How do we overcome loss? How do we move beyond and trust in the Lord completely while giving up the human nature side of our inner being? Dear friend, it is not easy. It is not natural and it is not the reality for many. It takes a great deal of prayer to overcome that of which we have within us that is not of a Godly nature. Searching within ourselves, understanding who we are, where we have been and where we are going, actively seeking truth in the gospel to understand ourselves is just part of the process. Sometimes, we do not like who we see, and yet, there is a great deal of growth from being able to admit we are not who we want to be.
In years of past, for me personally, I have seen that there were a great many holidays spent trying to control how everyone saw our home, trying to be inclusive to everyone, trying to make sure that we did the best for everyone else…except for our immediate family. Notice how this sounds. It was all about a visual outward appearance. I thought I was doing what was right in the eyes of everyone else except the one of which we honor during this season. Taking a step back, I reflect on my own insecurities in wanting to be accepted and to be unconditionally loved. I had forgotten the whole point of that precious gift that Christmas represents. I can honestly say that although I still struggle with some of those feelings, I have in the last year especially understood that I am as I was created to be, by the unconditional love of a Father who blessed me with life. No one this earth will ever love me or care for me as much as He who gave life, only to take that life so that others may be cleansed and be given life. It’s not about the outward appearance. It’s about an internal struggle given up to become someone new. Someone who can enjoy loved ones that are held dear and make them a priority while also offering up thanksgiving to a God who has provided so much.
A year ago, I could never have seen what was yet to come. I have learned to love in different ways while slowly learning to give up that which I am unable to control. One of those things is the incredible love for two beautiful fur babies that have become part of our family. Two sweets pups who were rescued from the horrors of shelters, abandonment and loss. In some ways, I can relate to these two, and to love them unconditionally has been a wonderful growing experience for myself and for my family. They have helped me to personally accept the lack of control I have in this life, remember that love comes in different packages and that when we let go of that control that dwells within us, we can learn to embrace the joy of life and the one who blessed us with it. Nothing in life comes easy, and nothing in life should give us such worry that we cannot look beyond to see the blessings we truly have. Life itself is a blessing.
As we celebrate the season of giving and thanksgiving, it is my prayer that we can all be reminded of the gift that was presented to us many years ago. A gift that would carry the burdens of the flock to an eternal peace. The gift of a savior who came to spare those in despair from lives of uncertainty, separation, and death. Be well sweet ones and embrace that of which has come your way, without worry, and without concern, identifying that which holds you back. Giving thanksgiving to the Lord who has opened your eyes to knowing that He has unconditional love for all who trust in Him with their whole being.
Merry Christmas to you and your families!
