There is a certain feeling that tends to follow the holidays... It’s not always a feeling of sweet memories being made but a feeling of stress, loneliness, exhaustion and fear that starts in your gut and works its way into your chest, tightening with every breath. You may think, “Who did I forget on my list? Did we remember to do all the traditional outings? What am I making for dinner Christmas Eve?” etc. When the questions of uncertainty come shooting through my mind, I stop. I take all my concerns and hand them over to God. Everything is in His plan and when I trust in His plan I feel an overwhelming sense of peace. Peace comes when we know we are not in control and we accept and trust God’s plan for us. This all makes me think of Joseph, frantically trying to find a place to stay for the night, as Mary is ready to deliver Jesus. I picture Mary, calm and composed, because she knows that God will always take care of their needs. She gave her concerns to God and found peace, light and warmth in the stable. I pray that we can all find the peace, light and warmth that God offers us in Jesus. May we be able to share that peace, opening our hearts and homes, with others who need us. Let us be thankful for the friends and strangers who have received us when we were lonely, stressed, tired or afraid. May we have the wherewithal to stop, amid the chaos this month, and soak up the sweet moments of peace and blessings that God has given.
~Ruth Madigan