Hello World!!!
On the day after tomorrow, Christmas, once again, will be here…Although it is the busiest time of the year, it is still the most wonderful time of the year…In spite of all of the commercialism, for those of us who know the Lord Jesus Christ, it is a time to remember Emmanuel which means “God with us.” This is the time that Christians remember that God so loved the world that He sent us His son who was born as a baby. That baby, Jesus Christ, was born to die for our sins. And now because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we have fellowship with the Father. God is with us. For the Christmas story in detail, please read Luke 2.
But what are we to do when the ones we love are not with us on Christmas?
This month, I have known of two people who died…A friend of mine died without warning a couple of weeks ago…I was stunned because we communicated via e-mail just days before she died…In her e-mail, she was telling me how she was planning to prepare for Christmas and now she is gone…It’s amazing that someone with so much life and influence could literally be here today and gone tomorrow…Another friend of mine lost a loved one a week or so ago too…I hope it is comforting for these families to know that our loved ones are now with the Father…but aside from all of that ethereal knowledge, I’m reasonably sure that it just plain sucks to not have them right there with them…
I have tried to offer comforting words to those I know who have lost loved ones this month, but I imagine there is nothing I can say that will truly comfort them…But what I can do is cherish my loved ones as I now realize they may not be here next Christmas…I was talking with my mom last night on the telephone, and she was kind of getting on my nerves as she often does…but as I type these words, I’m glad that I have her, my father, my brothers and a host of other family members and friends…
If you are anything like me, it is easy to focus on what you don’t have at this time of the year…but I am finding out if we are not thankful for what we have, what we have may just be taken away from us…In fact, I recently had to sit down and write a gratitude list just to remind myself of my blessings…
It’s funny sometimes the things we think we do for other people are really for us…This is what I mean…I teach fitness classes at a gym…The truth is that much of the time I would rather be curled up sleeping in my warm bed rather than working out…but because I teach fitness, I have to work out…I began this blog as a way to minister to others, but mostly I have ministered to myself….
Anyway, I digress…if you have your loved ones around you at Christmas, consider yourself blessed…And pray for the families who have lost loved ones…especially at this time of the year…
Any thoughts?
Jackie,
Lovely entry. I can so relate to the people who are grieving at this time of year. Both of my parents have gone home to be with the Lord, and I miss their presence every year. It doesn’t hurt like it used to, but the holidays always manage to bring back memories of what we did together as a family. For instance, my mother would read the Christmas story from the Bible before we opened our gifts, so in a tribute to her now I do the same thing for my grandchildren. My dad was the one who handed out the gifts, so now my husband does the honors. These are just small ways of keeping alive the memory of those we love who have passed on.
Hope you have a wonderful, blessed Christmas!
Dear Sweet Jackie: Thank you for pointing us in the direction of the true Christmas. You know I love you and wish you a very Merry Christmas. Candy
Hey Candy,
Thanks for stopping by…I love you too, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas with lights on – wink, wink- 🙂
You write, “If you are anything like me, it is easy to focus on what you don’t have at this time of the year…but I am finding out if we are not thankful for what we have, what we have may just be taken away from us…In fact, I recently had to sit down and write a gratitude list just to remind myself of my blessings…”.
I am so grateful for what I have this year – the gift of hearing. I did not realize how my hearing had declined until my hearing aids arrived this past Friday. Did you know that when you wear flip flops, they make noise with each step, as they slap up against the soles of your feet? And when the Preacher says, “Please sit” and the congretation complies, the pews really creak! No matter how well you can hear, are you listening?
The gifts of life are often discrete. Our hearts must be open to receive them. Thanks for an uplifting post, Jackie!
Wow, Gerri! A great comment…and thank God for hearing aids! Certainly better than not hearing at all…
Great post, Jsckie. Makes me realize I need to cherish my family, even though, like you, they get on my nerves sometimes. They won’t always be around.
I was just thinking about the 80/20 rule today and how satan wants us to stay focused on the 20%of our lives that isn’t working out so well.
At Damola, Girl, I’ve heard of the 80/20 rule when it comes to men — of course…but I’ve never heard of that when it comes to life…thanks for sharing that, and have a Merry Christmas!!!
Thanks for the reminder Jackie! My Mom and brother died witin a year of each other (March 30, 2004 and February 19, 2005) so they have not been with us the past few Christmases but you helped me remember that I can focus on all the abundance that is here, including the wedding of one of my brother’s daughters and a visit to orlando for Christmas by the other! Thanks and happy new year! Love Gloria