My mom’s favorite time of year.
She would transform her log cabin into the
“Christmas House”.
Lights and magic happened there.
Somehow she wove the magic and holiness of Christmas together in a beautiful package.
A night when Heaven met earth; where a Jolly man dressed in red gave all he had.
These two beliefs rooted deeply.
Her presence lit up a room.
Much like her grandson.
Today.
It’s been 4 years since she drew her last breath.
Surrounded by my dad and my sister in law, the Lord reached down to bring her to his side.
An agonizing death.
The clutches of cancer refusing to let go.
A purpose I know.
For 7 months later I would be called to endure the loss of our first born son.
Strength; coming from elsewhere.
Strength: I no longer had.
Held by the King of Kings.
The giver of life.
I wasn’t there when she left to meet her Savior.
I’d cared for her.
I had come home.
Weary.
Emotional.
Needing my family.
In those moments she was gone.
Life, a fragile gift.
No guarantees.
Yours may be rich and full and long in years.
Or cancer may strike and try to steal your joy.
Or a telephone pole may be the appointment you had to meet Jesus.
No matter.
The life you have is the only one.
It is a gift.
Given by the Father to carry out his purposes.
It is the second week in Advent.
The candle of Love was lit.
Love for God’s people.
A sacrificial love.
One that is quiet and holy.
Not demanding.
It is a love many of us can not fathom.
A gift.
Given.
For the world.
A love that is not bought or earned.
Offered freely to all.
Love came as a babe wrapped in humanity.
On a night just like all the others.
Jesus penetrated the hearts of all he met.
A love so strong.
My mother in law and my mom died at Christmas time.
Two women.
Strong in faith.
God; the Holy One, brought about events to cause us to slow down.
To breathe deep the journey.
He longs for us.
He waits patiently.
He gave all He had for us.
Won’t you think about that love this Christmas?
Light a candle.
Step into the hope.
For many this a Season that hurts and feels lonely.
Change that perspective.
Take that pain and sadness;
Turn them into gifts.
Reach out to a neighbor.
Take the steps to walk out of the grief and into the beauty of the Season.
I can not begin to understand this journey of grief.
I can make a difference with the time I have left here on this earth.
I can take one small step each day to the path God has created.
Hold tightly to the gift of love.
Let God’s amazing love wash over you and fill the ache.
1 John3:16-18
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.
And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
