Dear Lord; Once again Father, I want to start our Monday chat by thanking You for a lovely weekend with good friends and family. While I probably should have spent more time sleeping and recharging for the week ahead, the time spent with those I care about greatly outweighed the need for rest. Either way, it was a wonderful weekend and I thank You for that.
This morning Lord, I’d like to talk with You about the paradoxical effect this Season seems to bring on to some people. With all of the emphasis on the close relationships in our lives this time of year, those people experiencing a personal loss may dwell on that emptiness and end up having adverse feelings about the Holiday in general. Be it death, divorce, illness or physical separation causing those feelings, I’ve seen quite a few folks who are just having a difficult time embracing the love this Time of Celebration exudes. The true shame in this really is that these people are missing the most important relationship that they have… The one with You! Joshua 1:9 reads :
“Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
While we all suffer from losses on this Earth at some point, if we put our focus on Your constant Presence in our lives, we are never truly alone. What an amazing Gift that is! Like all of Your Children at some point, I’ve been guilty of focusing my heart on mortal pains now and again. The closer I get to You though Lord, the less time I spend with my heart in turmoil and the more thankful I become. Please reach out Your Light to all those in pain Father, so that they may feel the Peace and Love of this Blessed time of year. Amen. ~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
Beautiful post. We lost my grandfather two years ago on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving which was also my sister’s birthday. It was a hard week. Thanksgiving and her birthday are still hard for us. But as you said, with God we are never alone. Through our loss He is there sustaining us. All we have to do is turn to Him and let Him carry us through. Thank you for posting.
Thank you Jenifer. We’ve all felt the pain of loss, and around the Holidays it can be even more overwhelming. However if we focus on walking closer to God and hearing His Voice, those feelings are able to be put into better perspective. Thank you for the comment, and for sharing with me each day. 🙂
Thanks for the reassurance. Peace, Mom Nanhi & Father Leslie
I love the assurance that we are never alone! God is always with us. We can be still and know that He is God, Psalm 46:10.
Absolutely Lisa! It’s a wonderful comfort knowing that God is always with us. Thank you for the Psalm quote, and have a Blessed Day!
Perspective brought about through my recent diagnosis has birthed a new sense of expectancy in me in this season. I’ve never loved the season more; not because I’m doing more, but rather because I’m living more.
Thanks for visiting the blog; thanks for your encouragement. May the peace and witness of Christ rule in your heart as you pilgrim the Bethlehem road.
peace~elaine
Welcome Elaine, and thank you for the comment! While my heart goes out to you and your family for what you’re going through, I’m so happy you’re finding the Peace you need in Jesus and are experiencing that amazing exuberance that comes from the celebration of His Birth. I’m looking forward to reading more from you, and pray for your rapid recovery. Have a Blessed Day!