Oh friends, can you believe it? It's almost Christmas time again. Time for trees and mistletoe candles. Time for fireplaces and hallmark holiday movies, time for laughter and gingerbread men. I just love Christmas...everything about it. I really do.
I came home for the holidays yesterday. I love the feeling of coming home. You know, that warm ooey-gooey feeling of knowing that finals are over, Christmas is on its way, and I have a whole month of rest ahead of me. I'm really looking forward to reading for pleasure (what a novel idea!), baking, catching up with old friends, writing, and reflecting on the past year. It's really hard to believe that this time last year I was preparing to leave the country for 6 months. There were so many unknowns and fears and worries....and my God has proven Himself so faithful.
When life is good, Christmas is really great. But at the holidays, I always think about those whose life isn't so great. When things are hard, Christmas just seems to make things harder doesn't it? I think about those who are far away from home. I think of those who have lost loved ones. I think of those who are struggling financially and the burden of gift giving is extremely stressful. I think of those battling illness. I think of those who don't have a home to go to. It breaks my heart. But I want it to break my heart more.
It's often easier not to think about those people because, to be honest, it puts a damper on things. It's kind of easier to simply sigh a sad sigh for them and keep moving. And I do this way too often. This year, I'm praying for a broken heart. I'm praying for a heart of compassion and love and selflessness. It's interesting how during the holiday that represents one of the most selfless acts of all time, how we become so disgustingly wrapped up in...ourselves. I am so so so guilty.
Jesus, Father to the fatherless, Defender of widows, Helper of the helpless, our Rock and our Salvation, our Almighty King and our Best Friend
Will you give us your heart?
Will you allow me to see through your eyes?
Will you teach me to give more than I think I can
Will you teach me to love harder than I think is wise
Will you teach me to guard my mouth, my heart, and my mind
Will you teach me to reach beyond materialism and greed
Will you teach me to see?
I want to see you, Jesus. I want to see you.
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