Every woman may face holidays while hurting. You can find joy. It IS possible. God is on your side. He is your peace.
Rachel Anne Ridge has faced hurt-filled holidays. . .as has every woman.
The one that stands out — shared on my online radio show REFILLS today — is the Christmas she barely crawled through, the one with two pregnant family members, who’d soon nestle their babies, skin so soft and warm and chubby pink.
But not Rachel.She should have been preggo too but
her baby died before birth.
Her grief overwhelmed the shiny of Christmas. It muted the carols. It tasted like rock.
On today’s show Rachel, a writer and artist, shares small things you can do to find joy when holidays hurt — whether you face loss, financial distress, loneliness, fear, or sadness. To listen to the archive, click here. You’ll be directed to my REFILLS RADIO show page. The top show is my latest one with Rachel. Thirty valuable minutes of encouragement and practical ideas.
Also, if you need someone to listen and counsel you, please feel free to contact me.
As a seminary-trained, Christian biblical counselor I walk alongside women in their valleys and help them find God’s life-transforming answers to troubles. Check out my testimony, services (in person or by Skype/phone), and fees. Christian biblical counseling is highly effectivefor it relies on God’s Word, is affordable(significantly reduced fees available!), and is convenient (with today’s high technology, you can receive counseling at home through Skype–a free computer-to-computer webcam call). I want to help you.
Food prices are rising. Paychecks are shrinking. You may wonder, Where’s God in this economic mess as Christmas nears?
Where’s God when you can’t buy what you want. . .for every day and for Christmas?
Like new tires for the car.
Or a cup of coffee.
Or presents for the kids.
Doesn’t the beloved Psalm 23 say, “I shall not be in want”? Hmm. This doesn’t seem to jibe with the messy economy. And not just any messy economy but. . .
A messy economy that messing up Christmas gift-giving!
I could tell you the proper meaning of “I shall not be in want” in context.
I could say in the words of Phillip Keller in his classic A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23:
One of the fallacies that is common among Christians today is the assertion that if a man or woman is prospering materially it is a significant mark of the blessing of God upon his or her life. This simply is not so.”
Though I’m not crafty like The Nester and other such women, I could encourage you to make most of your Christmas gifts. But how do you “make” the Xbox game your son wants or the iPod your daughter desires?
I could suggest that you get a seasonal job at Kohl’s or Macy’s.
But I’m not going to go there.
Rather, I will pray for you. . .because God knows what you’re facing financially and He has the answers. Would you pray with me?
Heavenly Father,
You know your daughters inside and out. You know they want to give good gifts to their children and close family at Christmas. You know how full or thin are their bank accounts. We praise you that you are in control. We recognize that whatever money we have truly belongs to you.
I ask that you give your daughters peace and wisdom as kids and grandkids clamor for this toy or that gadget marketed on TV. Help each of us focus on what is most important: You. Let us show your love to the world as we give freely to the needy, including orphans and widows. Let us count our blessings daily and give thanks.
Christmas music jumpstarts the spirit and the cookies taste fabulous. But if you have family junk — and we all do, if we’re honest — the holidays at your home may not live up to the Hallmark commercials.
Noisy and kinda wacko. Family is messy. So is church.
When life feels like a battle, God has your back. He says in the Bible that you are valued, significant and loved. Our God is tender toward you. He knows your name and has written it on the palm of his hand. He calls you — a beautiful warrior.
Back in the early 1990s, I didn’t understand these biblical truths. . .and I was a follower of Christ. Depression had darkened my mood. Anxiety had rattled my mind too. On top of this tough stuff, difficult memories jabbed me. Yes, there was my parents’ divorce but something worse. Shame.
How could I tell anyone my pain? Especially women in the church who seemed to have it all together?
Fast forward to 2000, the year of God’s specific call on my life.
God whispered to my heart: “Lucy, comfort my sheep with the comfort you’ve received from me.”
“Who me?” I asked
“Trust me, Lucy.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Trust me.”
Like a snowflake, my arguments floated away and I said, “Okay, Lord.”
Question: As the Christmas draws near, what is God saying to you?
Weary of shopping? Baking? Decorating? The snow? Or lack thereof? 😉
Let these words wash you with peace, His peace. To see the music video — sung with power and passion — click the “you’re kissed the face of God.”
“Mary, Did You Know?”
written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know,
that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know,
that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby,
you’ve kissed the face of God.
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know,
that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding, is the great I AM.
A victory truth: Beautiful warriors praise the great I AM.
I need a hug today. My car heater died, and the outside temp is 19 degrees. My son has a tummy ache and is upstairs, resting. My new job is tiring! Really, who willingly wakes up at 5 a.m.
Oh, yeah, I do.
My emotions are ruling me. Not good. God says I’m supposed to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. I’ve even created a webcast called “Think Well,” so I know what to do but. . .
A recent scene:
“Why are you slamming cabinet doors, Lucy. You’ll break the hinges.”
(My thought: So you care more about stupid hinges than my feelings.)
SLAM. SLAM.
“Don’t you think you’re overreacting.”
SLAM. SLAM.
(Another deep thought: No, I’m not overreacting.)
SLAM.
(Another big thought: I hurt. I can’t be a robot like you. Just because I feel emotions, Mr. Robot, doesn’t mean I’m weak or volatile or PMSing.)
It means I’m real and stressed, and I’m behind in my Christmas shopping and decorating. I am thankful for my new job and for my hubby and that my Christmas tree is up, minus the trimmings. 😉
I prayed that God would provide me a job and He did. So why am I tantrumming like a preschooler?
I’m human. (Read: imperfect.)
And I need a hug. From my family, from my friends, from Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for the reminder that you’re the ultimate Hugger. Amen.
Victory truth: Beautiful warriors need hugs. Lots of them. What about you? Do you need a hug today?
P.S. Do you want to watch my webinar “Think Well”? Leave a comment and I’ll send it to one special “winner.”
Every woman may face holidays while hurting. You can find joy. It IS possible. God is on your side. He is your peace.
Christmas music jumpstarts the spirit and the cookies taste fabulous. But if you have family junk — and we all do, if we’re honest — the holidays at your home may not live up to the Hallmark commercials.
ou Are Loved!
I need a hug today. My car heater died, and the outside temp is 19 degrees. My son has a tummy ache and is upstairs, resting. My new job is tiring! Really, who willingly wakes up at 5 a.m.
