‘Tis the Season

My goodness, we are literally a week away from Christmas Day. It’s a time of transition for my family. Oddly, we’re not traveling this time like we have in the past. When we were in Montana, that was a given. It was difficult to get 4 people anywhere far away effectively and efficiently (to be read: cheaply). My dad’s birthday is Winter Solstice; he would have been 81. It’s weird not trying to figure out what to get a man who had pretty much everything he wanted or needed, both for his birthday and for Christmas. I had a moment earlier watching our flag fly in the breeze, looking out our living room window. I smiled inside because I know Dad loved to see the American flag flying.

It’s also a weird transition because for the first time in a long time, we are without a church. We have been so fortunate to worship with so many awesome people throughout the years. It’s really odd not having that right now. We have been here before. We have had hard times with church. I often think that there is no worse a drama than church drama. I stand by that. You know what? I literally have no idea how things are going to play out. I have no idea where we will land church-wise. I have no idea how it will come about.

You know what I do know? I know I don’t need to know. God has a plan. With His help, I know we will find another church. Even though we swear off helping and serving, we probably will get involved again, and there likely will be another hurt again.

We, any of us, are not perfect people. We can wake up. We can try again. We can turn away from our problematic behaviors. We can learn new ways to handle things. We can grieve. We can mourn people, situations, and experiences, both living and not. I know God does not make mistakes. I know when my wife and I are on the same page, we strongly pay attention. As sad and hurtful as this season is right now, I know it won’t be forever because God is good; He does not make mistakes; His love endures forever. Thank God and amen.

Merry Christmas to you; I wish you well. If you’re struggling, I firmly believe this struggle won’t be forever. Pray. Seek counsel. Speak with God-loving individuals. Get professional help if you need it. Know that you are not alone, and neither are we even as we are with a church body right now.

God bless!

#Christ #Christmas #Jesus #Love #Church #Hurts #Grief #Mourning #Trust