As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that holidays mean different things to different people. For some, it’s a time to celebrate, to be joyful and merry while for others it’s a reminder of all they do not have.
This Christmas will be the first one without my Dad and even with this painful reminder we are comforted knowing that God knows best. That God’s love and comfort will abound for my family this year.
How about you? What does this season mean for you?
Did you recently lose a loved one, perhaps a parent or a sibling? Or maybe it’s another reminder that you are still unmarried or childless.
You try to hold your head high but it’s hard as all across social media we are besieged with pictures of smiling couples and families and yet, we wait.
It could also be a reminder that maybe your life has been less than you had expected?
That at this point you had hoped to have achieved so much more but somehow you are still struggling through the seemingly easy things. You are still trying to figure out what you should do with your life. How to thrive no matter where you are.
If you are in this place, I just need you to know that God is aware of everything you’re going through.
God knows
I know sometimes it feels like we are the only ones aware of our heartbreak, of our shame and disappointments. That there is no one else that could possibly understand what we’ve been through, that could love us inspite of everything we’ve done.
Thank God we are not alone. That there is one who knows all. The one who was there when we were knit in our mother’s womb. Who knows our end from the beginning. The one who determined that it was time for us to come into this world and had a purpose tailor made for us.
He knows of our sleepless nights, of our pain and sorrow, of the tears that have refused to dry and most especially of our fears that life won’t get any better.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find farce to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:15-16
He is our Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Jireh and Jehovah Shammah, our all knowing and all seeing God.
What a mighty and loving God we serve! He wants us to boldly come before him with the assurance that our cries will not go unanswered.
I pray that in this season, you allow your heart to rejoice in our one true God. That you break out in songs of praise knowing that God’s got you.
I pray that even as the year wraps up, we are strengthened in the knowledge that the Lord that was with us through this year will remain with us. That his abiding love and mercy will continue to manifest in our lives. Even in the hard and difficult moments.
Friends, I pray that the words of Psalm 121 resonate with you in this season:
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills,
from whence cometh my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber…”
No matter what happens, in joy or in pain, let us remember to keep our eyes on him who is the author and finisher of our faith. Let us also remember to show love to others and be there for them.
I am grateful my help comes from the Lord. Remember this keeps me centered and at peace. Psalms 121 is one of my favorites!
It keeps me centred too. Thanks a lot, Tara. Xoxo
Lovely reminder I needed today. Thank you. I will choose to sing today to Him.
That’s great, Sheri. Glad you found it helpful.
Beautiful post! So thankful that God has got me and He knows!! Blessings … Donna
Thank you so much, Donna. Indeed, God knows…
Great read and great reminder to keep God first!
Thanks a lot, Carlene xo
This has been on my heart lately and you’ve written it so well! Pinned!
Thank you so much, Allison, I’m so glad you found it helpful
This just nails it. I think around this season a lot of us are reminded of things they try to forget all year round. So remembering that Jesus is with us during this season as well, is important. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Justine. There’s such a huge difference when we trust him to make it beautiful in his time.
I am so sorry to read about the loss of your dad. I know he would be so proud of the amazing woman you are. You truly honor him with your courage and commitment to Christ. God bless you Chioma. Merry Christmas and HUGS. It must be your dad’s best Christmas ever……..oxox In Christ
Thank you, Tammy for your ever sweet words. I’m so glad I met you. God bless you, friend xoxo
Thanks for sharing this, Chioma. Your post is needed, as it helps us remember that there are many out there in the world who may be alone and experiencing feelings of loneliness. It’s good to be reminded that God’s love is for everyone and we are never truly alone. Also, I am so sorry for your loss; God only knows…
Thank you so much for your comment, Alexandra. God is truly a wonderful father, I pray that all those who are in pain, are alone or suffering will find peace and comfort in him, even at this time.
This is so good! I’m in a season right now of chaos with my husband’s family. It’s funny because I prayed for God to bring my husband and I closer since for a time in our marriage (it’s almost our 3rd anniversary), so many of our arguments stemmed because he would defend his family and it was driving us apart and me to resentment. Now he’s finally seeing the things I’ve been seeing, and he’s been clinging to me more. It’s great, but the family drama sucks. But God knows what we’re going through and despite how stressful and heartbreaking it all is, He’s got us. He knows what is going on and is bringing us through it. Thank you for sharing!