Lonely this Christmas?

Loneliness is the painful gap in your life between the amount of contact you want to have with other human beings and the amount you actually have.  Loneliness is about loss: loss of a loved one, loss of a family grown up, loss of being grown without family, loss of a youth stolen by tragedy, loss of physical abilities or loss of health to name a few.  With painful disappointment many suffer from feelings of shame, self-pity, guilt or failure.   

We are about to experience the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Many know what it feels like to be in the darkness of night. Others have called it “the dark night of the soul,” or “the winter of our discontent.” This time of year can bring back memories of past pain and sorrow. It highlights and heightens new experiences of suffering and this Christmas season is not a joy for everyone. In love & compassion people reach out and gather in the lonely yet often it hurts more going and seeing a family group that you're outside of. 

"Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man".  (Psalm 112:4) 

A pearl to string: Oh my goodness there is power in God's Word, in His promise!  Just as night passes into dawn, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous, dawn comes even in the worst nights of deep spiritual darkness. The Holy Spirit is reminding us that even in those worst times of cultural decay and decadence, satan's darkness will not rule forever. His darkness cannot stay where Jesus' disciples reflect the character of the Light of the world. 

That just lit me up.  I was feeling so blue not having the physical ability to decorate my home for Christmas, which was in itself a spiritual time of joy for me. I am in the process of grieving that loss in my life and along comes Jesus. He comes right into my heartache to remind me I am His walking decoration when I reflect His character. 

You know what "they" say when you are standing out on the ledge of the 72nd floor of a tall building..... "don't look down"!  When you're hurting... don't look down!

No matter what you are facing, no matter how bad it gets or how deep it hurts... there is hope in that beautiful child's birth that we celebrate this time of year. Each one of us can choose to reflect His character and decorate our world. 

Let us shine & twinkle

He came so you would know

You are loved,

                    Lyndi