"SPIRIT CRUSHER!"
In the midst of a Holiday that brings not only joy and celebration, comes also the fog of depression, empty spirit, and skewed or missing understanding of the ‘reason for the season’. Christmas is my favorite holiday, yet I’m finding it hard to find the emotional ‘ups’ so typically accompanied by December amidst the spirit crushers.
I started to reflect on the month so far and in the words of a famous actress who recently split from an abusive husband. When asked what she’s most glad about 2006, she responded without pause: “I’m just glad it’s almost over!”
You know you may not be responding the way you normally do when you get ‘flipped off’ in traffic and take is as a personal affront against your very being. Any other time of year I consider it a ‘challenge’, but this month when someone blatantly ‘flipped me off’ in traffic, I almost burst into tears.
I’ve mentioned before that joy is defined as “emotional stability’ and I think my joy may have gotten wrapped in a gift inadvertently. Somehow the word stability, as it relates to emotion, is a farce!
So…this morning as I try to focus on the birth of Christ and the angel bringing this message of hope to a few select individuals….I hear the tune of an old Sunday school favorite….
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
Won’t let satan “phht” it out,
I’m gonna let it shine,
Won’t let satan ‘phht’ it out,
I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
Hide it under a bush, oh no!
I’m gonna let it shine,
Hide it under a bush, OH NO!
I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine!
I pray you have a well lit & JOY-FILLED Monday!
6 comments:
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart,
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart to stay!
There are other verses, too...remember?
I've got the peace that passes understanding...
I've got the wonderful love of my blessed Redeemer way down in the depths of my heart...
You know, I will never regret the music and Bible learned at an early age!
Be blessed today, Kim!
This seems to be a tough time for so many people. I wonder if we all have expectations that are beyond our reach? I sometimes think I should be on a high level of emotion all the time or I'm not feeling happiness or joy. Then I remember the times that joy sneaked up on me and caught me by surprise, when I wasn't looking for it.
When I'm involved with those around me, I find that I'm not taking my emotional temperature nearly as often. I pray you'll find peace and joy during this beautiful season. You bring joy to those of us who read what's on your heart.
Christmas is a tough time for many. Death, illnesses, financial problems, and relationship problems are just a few of the things that weigh on peoples hearts, and take the joy away. But, these are all things of the world, not of God. As Christians, we need to recognize that, and remember the promise we have In Christ. Third Day has a song, which is sung as what Jesus might say to us in our difficulties. The words go something like this;
"I can't stop the rain
from falling down on you again,
I can't stop the rain,
but I will hold you til it goes away."
So, ignore what the world tries to throw in front of you, in an effort to distract you. Instead, focus on Christ, and the love and peace he offers, joy will follow naturally. Then, when someone flips you off on the highway, you will give a mighty "God bless you!" instead. May God bless you richly, and answer all your prayers, Ken
It is hard sometimes to feel the joy we think we ought to be feeling. I can remember times when I thought it would never arrive, then suddenly it was there. The joy was there last night as we sang our cantata - one of my favorites ever. The joy was there yesterday morning when the kids did their musical - and today when I am home alone in my house, taking time off work, supposed to be shopping, but just doing nothing and listening to music - and writing my friends!
My grandkids sing that song in the car all the time - and the one above - Veggie Tales version!
Blessings on your day and your week and on your holiday!
When is graduation??
Sometimes joy comes in the smallest of moments... ten minutes alone in the car while we are sitting in traffic, no music, no phones, no one to answer to. Sometimes it comes in the smile of a small child that catches your eye as you stand in the longest grocery line in history. Sometimes joy just comes when we least expect it. I'm sending prayers your way that joy will start popping up all around you and that the biggest "spirit crusher" of all, satan, will be stomped out flat like a armadillo on a Texas highway. You've been through so much lately and perservered through the toughest of moments... I just know that abounding J-O-Y is coming, just around that corner! Blessings!
While I am still at work and loning to be on holiday and fighting off a really nasty flu - I don't have much joy either at the moment...
But I do try.
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