All Is Well

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. –Psalm 28:7

The reflections of Christmas 2013 linger on even as the day has come and gone.  The wrapping paper torn away, a few cookies and candy canes remain and the wilted holiday greens are evidence that we indeed had a celebration. Christmas Eve service always delights with the familiar carols sung and the message of Jesus’ birth warms the heart with His Everlasting Love. My grandson sat though most of the service and that in itself was a Christmas miracle! All is Well!

But what if everything in your life is not well? People that experience the loss of any kind or hardship this past year may have lost their sense of the holidays.  Christmas may represent sadness rather than joy.  My Dad’s favorite carol was “Oh Holy Night”. Every time I turned on the radio, walked into a store, went to church, I heard that song. Over and over again. Even though he has been gone for 4 years now, it could have been a painful memory for me. Yet I chose to celebrate that song and each time I heard it, I said, “Merry Christmas, Daddy” as though he was right there beside me. 

We have choices as to how to approach the things we must face. Some folks walk a tougher path that we do. We must encourage and lift them up because next year they could be the ones lifting us up in love. Being there for one another at all times. Our attitude and faith are the keys. Believing in God for good in all things will strengthen us. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Happy New Year!!