Christmas Day. That day of the year when all the excitement, anticipation, and expectation of the recent weeks comes to fruition.

Families and friends will gather.  Songs will be sung.  Stories will be told.  Gifts will be exchanged.  Meals will be shared.  Common family traditions, held each Christmas season to honor the memories of Christmases past and to hold on to the hope of those that are to come.

Friends and family have left to go back to their homes and their own celebrations. With the last good-bye the voices and laughter are gone, replaced by an unwelcomed quiet.

The beautiful bows and wrappings lie crumpled on the floor.  The sink is piled with dishes.  Only a couple glasses and some used napkins remain on the table as a reminder of the meal that was lovingly prepared and excitedly enjoyed.  

The Lady makes her way back to the kitchen, to the pots and pans waiting there for her.  She will stand at her sink and wash each one; almost with the same love as when she filled them with the makings of the meal she prepared just hours earlier.  And, as she does so, she reflects and remembers other years, other Christmas meals.  There are some tears but mostly smiles. More likely than not, a chuckle or two as she recalls a funny word or the antics of a child.

With the last pot scrubbed and put away and the dish towels hung to dry, she will look around, hoping to spot something more to do; not yet ready for her hands or her mind to be idle.  She is not ready for the total silence she knows is waiting for her – not yet.  Just as with the shopping, decorating, gift-wrapping and all the planning, this is part of her own Christmas Tradition.  It is a tradition handed down from her mother and her mother before her.  More than any of the traditions, this is the one most difficult to let go of, because it is the one that bonds her to her cherished memories of Christmases past.

But, as with all days, this one too must finally be allowed to end.  The Lady takes the stairs toward the world of sleep.  With her head resting on the pillow, she realizes, with some surprise, just how tired she is.  A few more moments of reflection lead her to offer up a prayer of praise and gratitude for her many blessings and a petition for her loved ones; especially those far away or for some other reason were missing from the celebration.

At last, though somewhat reluctantly, she gives in to the quiet and allows the sleep to come.  As her mind drifts into it’s slumber, one final thought remains – “will there be another”?

Wishing you and yours all the blessings of Christmas.

Sandra

Life is really busy for me right now.  It is not so much my own activities, although that is part of it.  What I am really struggling with is more emotional busyness because of so many things that are going on around me. 

Changes – lots of changes.  They are mostly exciting, happy changes, but some are not.  It is the not-so-happy changes I am dealing with this morning. As I thought about them, it occurred to me that, life being what it is, if I am going through some tough times you might be too, and that maybe we could talk about it. Recently, some things have come along that have the potential to change my life in profound ways.  I’m talking life changes that are causing my heart to be heavy.  Situations that are unsettling and downright scary.  I am talking about circumstances that cause my mind to go immediately to what if…? 

There is no need to give you the details, that’s not really important right now – you have your own “what if…” details to deal  with.  What is important, is how you and I are going to get through these not-so-happy life events without completely losing it! If you’re interested, I would like to talk to you about how we can change our “what if….?” to “Whatever!”  Just so you know, what I am sharing is not from some clinical perspective; it comes from my own right now experience. 

Ready?

First pray.  We have a promise in James 4:8 that says if we will draw near to God, He will draw near to us.  Now, this is where I would normally tell you to give it to the Lord, to lay it down and leave it.  That’s good counsel.  Of course, when you’re stuck in the “what if…?” desert, it is not easy counsel to take.  Our hearts just don’t always work that way do they?  However, prayer is mandatory.  So, even when we don’t feel like praying, we pray anyway.  If we will just keep with it, peace will come.

do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Then, practice.  We’ve determined that we have to pray even when we don’t feel like it, right?  Now we have to practice our faith, even when we don’t see it.   In fact, the very definition of faith is believing what we can’t see (Hebrews 11:1). How do we do that when we are in the “what if…?”  For one thing, we replace our anxious thoughts with confident thoughts.  No, “positive thinking” is not going to change the situation.  Guess what?  Negative thinking won’t either, but we don’t have a problem doing that do we?  Besides, it’s not positive thinking I’m talking about here, it is “Whatever!” thinking.

whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Next, pause.  We need to take time to rest in Jesus, let Him comfort us.  We listen to Him as He speaks to our hearts and our minds and our souls.  He will you know.  Through His written word, through creation, through the Holy Spirit (the Comforter).  Jesus loves us.  He knows our love language and He will speak to us in ways we can’t even imagine.  What are the things that give joy to your soul?  A Psalm, a child’s laughter, the quiet moments of dawn, a sunrise?  Pause and listen for Jesus.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)

Finally, PRAISE!  We will have cause to rejoice.  When we get rid of the “what if…?” and begin to trust God with the “Whatever!” something wonderful happens.  We are filled with peace and even joy.  Our hearts and minds become free and we suddenly notice that all that weight we’ve been lugging around is just gone!  I can’t explain it, I just know that it happens.

When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. (Psalm 94:19)

Is everything hunky-dory with me.  No, it is not.  My mind slips, my thoughts wander back to “what if…?”  (Even at this moment, my anxious thoughts are trying their best to sneak back in.)   Jesus and I are still working on it.  More importantly, Jesus is working FOR me. 

When those “what if…?” thoughts come, Jesus draws me back.  His Spirit speaks to me.  He reminds me, ever so tenderly, to pray, to practice, and to pause. I praise God because He has promised me that I can let go of the “what ifs…?” and trust Him with whatever.

Lexington, NC is Heart2Heart’s newest chapter. We are anxious to see all the ways God is going to bless.

To all the women beginning their journey in the “LORD CHANGE MY ATTITUDE, Before Its Too Late” study today, please know you are being prayed for.

If you would like to be a part of the Lexington women’s small group study email Mikki at Mikki@Heart2HeartWomen.org for information. It’s not too late to get in to the fall study. Groups meet on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM or 6:30 PM.

The “LORD, CHANGE MY ATTITUDE Before Its Too Late” study will be happening in Charlotte, NC and Iron Station, NC as well starting next week.