Nov 17, 2009 |
by Annette Bridges. ©2009. All rights reserved.
I admit it. I’m one of those people who is happy when radio stations start playing Christmas music. I don’t care if it’s before Thanksgiving. And I don’t care if stores start stocking their aisles with holiday décor before Halloween.
I had my Christmas cards made weeks ago. So if you’re on my list, mine may be among the first you receive. My closet is already half filled with gift boxes waiting to be wrapped. And yes, I have already started playing my Christmas CDs — much to my husband’s dismay I suppose. In fact, I’m listening to one right now!
The reason is plain and simple. I’m ready for Christmas! This has been a rough year on many fronts. And I’m ready for how the Christmas season makes me feel.
My life at Christmastime has not always been the picture of a Currier and Ives card. I’ve had family members pass on in December as well as family members be away from home on military deployments. I’ve not always been home for Christmas, and I’ve sometimes had little money to spend on gifts. I’ve been without a special someone in my life, and I’ve spent holidays in the hospital.
Still, Christmas has always been a season that can totally consume my mind, body and spirit with hope and peace. Gazing at the lights on my Christmas tree calms my weariness like nothing else can. I feel like I’m basking in God’s light. The twinkling lights never fail to remind me of His gentle ever-presence giving me encouragement and comfort. And I know He is lighting my path on this journey of life. And that’s reassuring!
So bring it on Christmas! I’m ready for you!
I’m ready to laugh with Rudolph, Frosty, Garfield and Charlie Brown. I’m ready to dream of a white Christmas, although that rarely happens in my neck of the woods. And I’m ready for my biggest decision of the day to be what kind of cookie I will bake.
I like to get my Christmas cards out early because I can’t wait to hear back from friends and family. I know I should stay in better touch all year long, but where does the time go? Days and months pass, and I still haven’t written or called. I hate that about myself. But I promise my Christmas card will be one of the first you receive sincerely wishing you a blessed holiday season.
“It’s that time of year when the world falls in love,” Karen Carpenter is singing. For me, one Christmas was spent dreaming about falling in love. It was my final Christmas without a boyfriend. But I wasn’t feeling sad. All those holiday romance songs and movies were a promise of what could happen to me someday, and I loved dreaming about the man I would marry. The next Christmas I was announcing my engagement to the man I have been married to for almost thirty years. Both are endearing Christmas memories for me!
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” sings Andy Williams. I agree! It’s that magically special time when friends, family and strangers come together to celebrate and make memories — when lending a hand, sharing a smile, showing more tolerance and patience comes naturally. If only we could all do those Christmas things all year through!
So although it’s been said many times, many ways, my friends, a very Merry Christmas to you! May your New Year’s dreams come true! And may you feel God’s peace and love embracing you and yours at Christmas and always!
Nov 17, 2009 |
by Annette Bridges. ©2009. All rights reserved.
Country western singer, Carrie Underwood, once sang about being “low on faith and gasoline.” These were words from her song, “Jesus take the wheel.” I remember asking Jesus to take my wheel when I lost control of my car in a snow storm several years ago. Thankfully, I believe he did as my car spun across the highway and came to rest safely against a snow bank undamaged with no one hurt. It’s easy to be thankful when there is plenty to be thankful for!
But what about all the times when our life doesn’t feel brimming over with blessings and faith in a brighter tomorrow is getting lower with each passing day? It may be hard to imagine that a good dose of thankfulness could be the answer to our dwindling faith as well as the guiding light to everything we seek.
My life in my fifties is much different from what it was in my twenties. Back then, my anticipation for the future was filled only with enthusiasm, good expectations, dreams and hopes. But getting older doesn’t have the glamour it once did. Expectations have changed from longings to dread. Dreams have become fears. And hopes have become few.
Regardless of our age, our current life circumstances can be bleaker than we wish they were. When we’re struggling with depleted savings, job loss, limited income, separation from family or illness, it can be hard to see the light at the end of what feels like a very dark tunnel.
Lately, I just want to be happy. I want to feel happy — today — and not worry so much about what may or may not happen in the future. Or even if some say the future is inevitable, I don’t want to worry about it! I want to live my life today and make the most of each moment.
There’s one fact that I’ve become certain of over the years. The grateful are happy and the ungrateful are miserable. Yes, my friends, I’ve discovered it is impossible to feel thankful and unhappy at the same time.
Throughout my life, even in the most difficult of times, thankfulness changed my focus from what I didn’t have to an appreciation for what I did. And again and again, thankfulness enabled me to discover “good” that was previously unforeseen or unpredicted.
Gratitude has always brought my focus back to present possibilities rather than speculation about an uncertain or mysterious future. I’ve found that it’s having a grateful heart “today” that raises hope, boosts confidence, encourages ambition, lifts self-esteem, strengthens trust and provides peace of mind for tomorrow.
And gratitude is good for you! It seems many have concluded that the healthiest human emotion is indeed gratitude. The medical profession claims gratitude increases our immunities — making us less susceptible to illness.
The sign on my desk daily instructs me, “There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.” I often need that reminder. So try a little thankfulness, my friends, and you just may find that dark tunnel you’re in is suddenly brighter!
Whatever the benefits, being thankful will make you feel better. And who doesn’t want to feel better — especially when dealing with tough times?
Nov 17, 2009 |
by Annette Bridges. ©2009. All rights reserved.
Even though my bank account is the smallest it’s been in a few years, I’ve never been as excited for Black Friday as I am this year.
It was actually only about five years ago when my daughter and I began our Black Friday tradition. Up until that time, I used to avoid the biggest shopping day of the year. But after having so much fun on our first Black Friday outing, we vowed to do it each year.
Maybe it depends on where you choose to shop on that day that makes the difference. I know the shopping mall where we go on the Friday following Thanksgiving is filled with festive decorations, Christmas music, happy faces and good will among holiday shoppers. The aura and atmosphere of the day is so enticing and captivating, I now never want to miss it!
Of course, the joy we experience could also have something to do with our own attitude and approach to the day.
Black Friday is the only shopping day of the year when we’re not on a tight schedule — other than getting to the mall before it opens. There is no other place we need to be that day, so we’re in no hurry. There is no rushing around or frantic searching. We take our time as we shop for the loved ones on our list.
Although we may have less money to spend this year, our spirits are not dampened and our anticipation is not lessened. In fact, we’ve been having fun trying to imagine and determine what we can buy with our smaller budget.
We’ve all probably heard the expression, “It’s not the gift, but the thought that counts.” Giving a gift need not be a stressful or expensive gesture. Regardless of my budget, I’ve found it helpful to let my heart and not my pocketbook guide my search for the perfect gift. In other words, a little creativity and thought-filled consideration of the people on your list can lead you to find the most meaningful (and affordable) gifts.
I read an interesting fictional article recently about gift giving. It described a woman who had sacrificed and saved all year as she planned for the Christmas gifts she wanted to give to her loved ones. Then it told of her sadness when some of them told her they couldn’t afford to give gifts that year. It wasn’t that she was sad to not get gifts from them, but they were trying to discourage her own giving, not knowing she had already bought and wrapped their gifts. The article also pointed out that these particular loved ones had spent so much money on themselves all year long that they didn’t have any extra money left for buying gifts for others.
Fortunately, this woman recovered from her sadness and didn’t let anyone take away her joy of self-sacrifice that enabled her to give gifts.
I loved being reminded of the joy of self-sacrifice. I recalled reading an article by the founder of my college several years ago that addressed this topic. This article illustrated how often an unselfish parent raises the most selfish children. It explained how selfishness can be a result of parents robbing their children from learning the joy that comes from genuine self-sacrifice — giving up for the sake of another, putting another’s needs or interests before their own. But isn’t this type of giving an example of true love — a reflection of the Christ spirit that the life of Jesus exemplified?
The holiday season always brings to mind one of the first Scriptures I learned as a child: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Somehow this verse is speaking to me in a fresh way as I prepare for my Black Friday shopping!
Imagine a day filled with pondering how much we love the people on our Christmas list. Imagine the desire to give whatever we can to them — and whatever we can give is enough. But still — we give.
I’m not putting a price tag on giving, my friends. My most memorable gifts are not the kind bought in a store — such as the gift that is homemade and the gift of someone’s time and attention.
But may all of our gifts show how much we love — whether it’s the gifts we buy on Black Friday or the gifts we give all year long.
Nov 17, 2009 |
by Annette Bridges. ©2009. All rights reserved.
Are you struggling with depression, loneliness or fear and wondering where God is? You’re not alone, my friend. Even David asked in one of his psalms, “How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord?” (Psalms 13:1)
It’s on dark and weary days that we desperately want to feel God’s healing presence more than ever.
Growing up with my mother taught me many lessons. I saw her overcome being homeless and jobless while having little means, education or so-called working skills to do so. I saw her conquer fear and uncertainty as she moved across country with her daughter following a difficult divorce. I saw her work her way out of poverty one day at a time — without government help I might add. One precious lesson can be summed up by the following Scripture — often quoted by my sweet mother: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” (James 4:8)
Of course — actually — God is always close by as the Psalmist concluded. “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me and your strength will support me.” (Psalm 139:7-11)
God is forever near — holding us, leading us and lighting our path away from dark troubled roads. So since we can’t really be out of God’s presence, I think it’s more about us needing to direct our thoughts God-ward that helps us feel and experience His presence.
I was reminded of this recently as I listened to a song by one of my dearest friends. She and a friend produced a beautiful CD titled, “Inhabiting Eternity.” (cdbaby.com) I’ve listened to their CD on numerous occasions, and every time a certain song begins, I have to stop whatever I am doing and get very still so I can be fully embraced by its message.
The song is titled, “I will come before the Lord.” Its lyrics describe God as “my song.” It reminds us, much like the Psalmist did, that whether in the stillness of morning, brightness of day, hush of the evening or darkness of midnight, God is our song — forever near giving inspiration, strength, hope, guidance, peace.
This is comforting news. So whether I am looking for solutions, clarity, calm, or freedom from stress, sorrow or pain, I know there is a powerful divine presence that can meet any need. And this gentle presence is so palpable that when I divert my thoughts to the divine whole-heartedly, I feel the angels of His presence assuring me all will be well — that all is well.
It’s sometimes far too easy when overwhelmed by problems and worries to give up or give in to whatever doom is on the horizon. But I’m learning not to do it!
When I don’t know which way to turn or what to do, my first step these days is again to get very still in order to tune in to God.
Whether we have hours or only a few moments, we can be filled with the nearness of His presence, power and love. We can feel the might and majesty of His goodness. And we will experience the power of His presence giving us the spiritual light we need.
You are never alone or forgotten, my friend. Turn your mind toward God and you’ll find He’s right there by your side lifting you up so you can find the answers you need. May you feel God’s love and presence in every moment during the upcoming holiday season and the New Year ahead!
Nov 17, 2009 |
by Annette Bridges. ©2009. All rights reserved.
Every football season I’m inspired by the number of teams who trail by thirty points or more for most of a game and then make a comeback and win.
What does it take to make that kind of recovery?
I can’t help but be reminded of Yogi Berra’s words, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over!” Some say the spirit of his famous exclamation emphasizes that one should not assume the outcome until the conclusion has actually been reached.
When I look at the faces of the football players as they make their winning comeback, I see confidence and determination as well as persistence and a firm resolve to not give up. Their regained momentum and ultimate success seems grounded in their faith that they can overcome any deficit and triumph.
I can also look at the faces of the losing team members and see disappointment, dismay and defeat — and they haven’t even lost the game yet.
Through the years, many entertainers, politicians and athletes have been given the distinction of “comeback kid.” This title has generally been granted to the person who is said to have clawed his or her way back to success, who overcomes a fall from grace, who makes an unlikely comeback. Some people think of former President Bill Clinton and Robert Downey Jr. as a couple of comeback kids, for example.
There may be many Biblical characters that come to your mind that could receive such a title, but for me none seems more deserving than Joseph.
During the course of perhaps twenty years of his life, Joseph was robbed, despised, betrayed, sold into slavery, accused falsely and imprisoned. But he went from prison to palace as second only to Pharaoh in one day.
Joseph’s comeback was not the end of a long struggle to regain status and respect. He didn’t fight his way back to the top.
What impresses me most about Joseph during what some might think of as his years of injustice and misfortune, was his attitude and spirit. He never seemed defeated or depressed. He didn’t express resentment or hatred toward those who abused or maligned him. Regardless of his difficulties or circumstances, he was determined to be the best he could be. And so he was.
During his years of servitude, he became the most willing and best servant he could. When he became overseer of his master’s house, he managed the house well. When he was wrongfully imprisoned, he didn’t complain or become bitter but rather tried to be a useful prisoner and was soon put in charge of other prisoners.
It was his spiritual wisdom and unwavering faith in God’s goodness that gained his eventual freedom and success. (His story is found in the book of Genesis, chapters 37 through 47.)
I’m quite certain that Joseph knew God had a purpose for his life at every moment of his life. And I love how he didn’t let anything thwart him from fulfilling whatever that purpose might be. And in so doing, he found purpose in every circumstance he lived through, and many were blessed by his actions.
It was as if these words of Christ Jesus lived in his heart, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) He never forgot that his Father — God — loved him and was caring for him at every moment. He didn’t wait or fight to receive the “kingdom” at some future time. Throughout his life, Joseph lived and expressed the goodness of God and was rewarded again and again in small and grand ways — even when he was in prison.
Many of us today are waiting for recovery of lost savings and jobs. ‘Tis the season for comebacks, my friends! Keep your faith strong that any deficit can be overcome. And in the meantime — as you live each day — be a “Joseph” and look for purpose in every situation. Make each moment the best it can be. And I suspect you will find the best each moment has to offer.
So no matter what kind of comeback is sought — whether it is by football team or an individual — triumph is God’s promise to his beloved children.
