This is not the first year that I got so busy with life or as the saying goes, "Life gets in the way of living," that I forgot to post my own Christmas note to my blog. It was a wild year on so many levels and now we are already into 2021. My Mama used to say, "Better late than never," so here it is:
It’s
Christmas, Breathe and Pray; it will get you through the Day!
"I
am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a
gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 NLT
Everything
has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may
be in, therein be content.” Helen Keller
Life can leave you breathless or life can
knock the breath out of you. Death. Overdose. Family drama. These are the types
of things that knock the breath out of you.
We thought we would have more time. Death
arrived.
We thought they were working their
program. Overdose arrived.
We just want everyone to be happy. Family
drama arrived. Just in time for the holidays.
But what are the things that leave us
breathless? A baby in the family, whose smile makes life worth living. A toddler
makes us laugh. A beautiful sunrise. The
Word of the Lord. A beautiful sunset. A friend’s hug. The tears of a sister or
sister-in-law, grieving loss, but those tears are precious in the sight of the
Lord. They are kept in a beautiful urn in heaven, where the sound of them
trickling down is as a beautiful waterfall. Pause and think about these things.
THIS HAS BEEN A YEAR. I think we all would agree about that.
Perplexing, anxious perhaps, hard to figure out. Isolation has made us feel
lonely. We don’t even feel like ourselves, at times, truth be told. Getting out
to go to the doctor is the thrill of the day. Being together with others
outside is something to look forward to. Exercise is something that is a
love/hate relationship, but helpful. Comfort food has replaced friends at
times. Then the results of that eating, when we see ourselves on a Zoom
meeting, makes us never want to “zoom” again. Or eat. Husbands grow beards
because no one notices behind the masks. Or so they think. At least they can pass
as Santa Claus to the grandchildren.
Words seem shallow. Words are hard to
come by. Have the days of writing, ended, I wondered if the Lord would even
give me a Christmas message this year? He has always been faithful. He will be
ever faithful, still. Right now, His Word through the Passion Translation is
what I offer. These have been my “go to” verses for most of this year.
Return to us again, O God!
How much longer will it take until you show us your abundant compassion
Let the sunrise of your love end our dark night.
Break through our clouded dawn again!
Only you can satisfy our hearts,
filling us with songs of joy to the end of our days.
We’ve been overwhelmed with grief;
come now and overwhelm us with gladness.
Replace our years of trouble with decades of delight.
Let us see your miracles again, and let the rising generation
see the glorious wonders you’re famous for.
O Lord our God, let your sweet beauty rest upon us
and give us favor.
Come work with us, and then our works will endure,
and give us success in all we do. Psalm 90:13-17 The Passion
Translation
My Prayer
Let Your scent be on me
And let me carry it
within
Surround me with Your
Holy Spirit
Consume my body and
existence
With Your burning fire
Blaze through me and
Let others feel the fire
Let them see You, Lord
Not me
Infuse me with Your
glorious light
Stronger than the
sunrise
Clear, pure, shining,
purging
Light of God
Praising You, I will
shine
This light on others
They will recognize Your
Spirit
As love will overflow
into
The action of doing for
others
What You would
Have me do
Treating them as I would
Want to be treated
Loving until it hurts
Loving through the hurt
And then, loving more.
Live ready. Love well!
Merry Christmas from Donna Collins Tinsley 2020
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