Christmas and Death

As I sit and think about the upcoming holiday season, my heart hurts for those who have lost loved ones this year. Josh's grandpa passed away this spring. He lived a long and good life, but he is still greatly missed. A cousin killed in a car accident. I still cry every time I think of his parents and siblings. He was gone way to soon. A friend lost her dad this year. And just this week, another friend grieved with her own best friend as her mom lost a short, but brutal battle to cancer.

I pray for each of you who mourn this Christmas season. Earlier this week, I started to throw myself a pity party. I asked God, why couldn't she have lived just a few more weeks? Now, when they think of Christmas, they'll think of loss. Of course, I was praying for a miraculous healing, but I was also praying that she'd just make it to Christmas. I would have been happy with either miracle.

But then God reminded me that Christ IS the reason for the season. I know at Easter we honor that He died for us, but its because of his birth we can celebrate that. Jesus gave up living with God to come to earth to save us all. He didn't have to. But He did. He loved us so much that He gave up that and then later gave up his life, on the cross, so we could live with God again.

It doesn't matter how perfectly we live. We all fall short of the glory of God. We all sin. I only know one person who can say he has kept all of God's commandments, and that is Jesus. Without Him, all of these loved ones would truly be lost, forever. But because of Him, we can all live with God.

I'll still shed a few tears this year as I think of these families. But I will also praise God that Jesus came to save us all.

Six Years Ago and 1 Year Ago

Six years ago, I met an amazing young lady who forever changed my life. Even though it went differently than we planned, I am forever changed. Six years ago was one of the best days of my life. (Nobody Told Me)

In the past years, I've remember that moment, but just for a second. If I thought on it too long, it just led to tears. But this year, as I have followed my memories on Facebook, I have enjoyed remembering those moments. How can I look back and be so happy, knowing the way it would end?

Because about a year ago, I had my Noel moment. Christ has changed me. From the inside out. He has healed those dark corners of my heart that I thought would always be broken.  I could sing His praise forever, and it still wouldn't be enough.