When I was an elementary school child, the time of year that seemed to last forever was the few weeks leading up to Christmas. This Advent season was filled with anticipation and a variety of traditions that reinforced that feeling. We put up the tree and decorations throughout the house. My mother baked candy and cookies that she only made for the Christmas season. We had a variety of Christmas music that we played that I still remember today. All these things led up to a School Christmas party and gift exchange, and then to Winter break, when we fully dove into all things Christmas. We would put some new presents under the tree then head to the candlelight Christmas Eve service at church. It was an exciting time even for a poor country family, like ours. Though it was a wonderful time of year, things didn’t always go as planned, and I even remember one year it rained inside our house on Christmas morning when a water pipe broke in the upstairs bathroom. Life is always a mixed bag of joys and frustrations, but honestly, I mostly remember the joys of my youth more than anything. What Christmas memories do you cherish the most?
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Lately, my daughter who is 6 years old has been in a whiny phase, where she seems to complain about a lot of things throughout the day. Now some of those complaints are legitimate, like when her older brother is picking on her. Others are more made up, just to get attention, or about things we can’t control, like the weather or what other people do. There are many teachable moments. We can go online and see an unending list of people complaining about local issues, leadership, or any number of things. The media does a pretty good job at making relatively mundane things sound sensational, just like my daughter does at times. Do we complain to the right people, who can do something about our plights? If my daughter whines enough, she usually gets a reaction out of me or my wife, but not always the reactions she wants. Do we complain about things to those who can change them? I would hope so. Others may take the most lax approach and just take life as it comes, not making any noticeable changes to anything they do. There should be some middle ground, where we can effect change by what we do or say, if we are willing to see it to the end. How have you improved the world by your word or actions lately?
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
There is Someone that we can take our complaints to that can make a difference in most every situation. He can bring about the change that we desire, but not always in the way we first expect. In fact, the change He brings about is often more within us than in those people we are praying for. The past two days, I have been down with some sort of bug or virus that is wiping me out. Often these things pass within a few hours or day and then I am mostly back to normal, but not this time. In fact, it seems to be getting worse. So when we pray for all things to be made well in our lives, let us not forget the work He does in our hearts to bring about the change He wants to see in the world. Whether with joys or pain, let us surrender all of life to our Lord and watch what wonders he can bring about through them. Thanks be to God!
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Yours in Christ,
Clark
