Tis' The Season

Tis’ the Season

I love the peace of the Christmas season. For me, it begins Thanksgiving week. This is the week that I really focus on what I am thankful for, all my blessings…both big and small. Of course I do this throughout the year too, but to be quite honest, probably not as much as I should. Who is with me? Smile.

Lately, I have been thinking about those who are going through a rough time during the holidays. I find myself fervently praying for them, for God to comfort them and hold them while they mourn. Recently, Ramstein High School lost one of their own. He was just seventeen years old and a senior. His life was taken when he rounded a corner too fast and hit a tree about a mile from my house, back in September. I guess this has touched me because I remember that day clearly. My husband and I were taking a walk with our dog along the back roads of our village and as we were coming up the hill we heard sirens. Now, I don’t know about you, but when I hear sirens I begin to pray for the one(s) in trouble. So, naturally I began praying.  

·                                 He didn’t make it. A mother’s worst fear, my heart just broke. As I was praying the other day, I Google searched the young mans name just so I might find something specific to pray for. I was able to find the name of his parents and siblings. This meant a lot to me because that family has been on my heart since that fateful day. I couldn’t imagine losing a child. What I did find out though, touched my heart. This young man was a Christian and so are his parents. His mother posted on his Face Book page “Today I pray to make it thru the day. Tears are coming on their own. I miss being with my daughter, Charessa. And the first holiday without Brendon Is harder than I could have ever dreamed. Sis enjoy today... Mommy loves you and will be with you in4 days! Buddy have a blast up there with Jesus! You are more than lucky to not be on this earth and feel sadness and pain!”

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     While this may be a joyous occasion for many of us, take a moment to think of those out there who are aggrieved. This time of year is not so joyous and peaceful for so many. There are people like you and I who are missing a husband or wife, or sister or brother, or mother or father due to a military deployment or perhaps a death in the family. Some are at the bedside of a sick family member or close friend. Maybe you can be there for them physically and lighten the burden…or maybe you can pray for them. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” Mathew (5:4)

     I know that for me, prayers would be coveted during this time in my life. Knowing that people are praying for me would probably be the only way I would have the strength to get out of bed in the morning and make it through the slowly moving minutes of the days that followed my loss. Would you pause during this Christmas season, join me and pray for somebody that you know is going through a hard time and/or suffering a loss?

Philippians 4:6-7 says “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Merry Christmas.