Approaching Christmas 2011

"When times are tough, God makes us tougher in Christ." -Kirk McConnell, December 2011

The year has come and gone already. Somehow I blinked, and it is December again. It is definitely not my favorite time of year. I am not really in the Christmas spirit. Being of good cheer is not something I have at this moment, but not for a lack of trying.  I have wrapped presents for my nieces and nephews, and made some custom iron-on T-shirts for them, too, hoping it will all be appreciated. I am at a point realizing, the children are getting older. They do not need toys, so what can I give them? This is a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus as shared with us in the gospels. I try to remember that Jesus is the one, true gift that God bestowed upon us. I keep recalling that if God did not love us, it is highly likely that Jesus would not have died on a cross in our place. Talk about mercy (not getting what we do deserve.)

So, why am I so stressed out ? This momentous occasion is when I should really be celebrating the birth of Jesus? Why do I feel so much anxiety when I should feel relaxed and cheerful? Why do I want to stay home and not see family, or travel during this holiday? I don't really have an answer. 

This month has been terribly difficult for me. I am still out of work. I had a temporary job with Hobby Lobby, in October, but it ended as quickly as it started after a month. I cannot pay my bills. I feel like no employer will hire me, and maybe it is time to hit the reset button and start over...career-wise. I feel inhibited and restricted. 

Though times may be tough now, God has been building me up through His Word to strengthen me, to make me tougher than the world. I might lose everything, but I still have Jesus. I am trying to remember this. In John, I am reminded regularly, that without Jesus we can do nothing. If I want to accomplish anything spiritually significant, bear good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), reach out to others in love, I cannot do it without the help of Jesus (John 15). He makes it all possible.

It is my prayer that the coming year will be blessed and prosperous, filled with hope, and revival in my heart, and an opportunity to move forward with a new career and a chance to return to college. It is also my prayer, that I will be a better friend to those I have been distant lately, to be more diligent in the Bible, to be consistent with fellowship, and to get involved in a group Bible study once again. I want to stand firm in the promises of the Word, and not compromise as I have done much so this last year. Additionally, my desire is to not make promises to others nor neglect my own needs. I want to do more artwork, write and make a difference in the lives of others in the year to come. 

In Jesus' name, amen.