Things That Didn’t Happen

Image by Stephanie Holland from Pixabay

This holiday season, I am thankful for all the usual things like a warm home, food, clothing, etc. However, I won’t lie. I’m not thankful my husband won’t be with me this holiday season. 

I will spend the holidays with my son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters, which will be special, something I haven’t done in many years, but there will still be a missing part. Times alone. Even so, I’m trying to keep a positive attitude and not dwell on what is missing.

A pastor friend posted a comment on social media. Even if we can’t bring ourselves to be thankful for our current situation, we can be thankful for the things that didn’t happen. As the old saying goes, things can always be worse.

The thought is similar to the sentiment in the Garth Brooks song, Thankful for Unanswered Prayers. Life experience has taught me to avoid praying for particular things and just ask God for help. How can I presume to tell God what’s best? Regardless of the situation, like missing my husband, God will help me through it. And not just me. All of us.

So, this Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for what I have — and for the things that didn’t happen.

Amen.

 

Permission to Be Happy

Photo by Stefan Nyffenegger at Pixabay

This time of year, people are happier than any other season. We see it everywhere in small kindnesses, cheerful greetings, and happy faces, except perhaps Black Friday. Yes, I’ve heard the horror stories, but more than any other time of year we have hope of good things to come.

For God to right all wrongs.

For our families will be healed and brought closer together.

For an end to violence and hatred.

For all of us to share in God’s abundance.

We’ve all been in those dark places where there seemed to be no hope. Then, a scripture passage, the kind word of a stranger, or the prayers of family and friends gave us hope of a better tomorrow. We only needed to hang on a little longer.  

Psalm 27 was among my morning devotions.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid? I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.”

Psalm 27: 1-2, 13-14

That passage has brought me through many dark hours.

I once read a meme about the proverbial half empty or half full glass. I liked the author’s take. It didn’t matter whether it was half full or half empty because the glass can be refilled. 

And so can our hearts.

Thank you, Lord, for giving us the gift of your Son and the hope his presence brings. Amen.

In God's Hands

Photo by Gerd Altmann at Pixabay

With the holiday season starting next week, our expectations and disappointments rise. Who doesn’t want the traditional Currier and Ives's holiday surrounded by a loving family? But no matter how hard we try, some people will not respond to kindness and friendship. Misunderstandings, mistrust, opinions and differences in beliefs lead to rejection and discord. Even Scripture warns us of enmity between family members, friends and community.

Even so, the pain is still there, clouding our days, particularly during the holidays.

Jesus told us to forgive not once, but seventy times seventy. It’s for our own health even if it’s not reciprocated. So, we forgive and receive no response from the other party. What then?

In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the father stood ready to welcome his wayward child, but he didn’t go searching for him. He waited for his son to return and ask for forgiveness. Jesus didn’t chase people down the street and beg them to listen to him either.

The same applies to us. No chasing after people who do not want a relationship or are toxic to our mental and physical health. With prayer we let them go, placing them and our expectations in God’s hands. What better place to leave them?

Dear Lord, you see the hurt and the pain of this broken world, and you weep with us. But we wait in hope, because through you all things are possible, even the melting of stony hearts. Amen.