Christmas Peace

   


       This year started with a word from the Lord about the great gift of peace Jesus left with us before He left the earth. Throughout this year, 2018, I have seen the peace that surpasses all understanding in many forms and faces. I have also seen the dark back drop of chaos, worry and strife that peace has been so beautifully drawn upon. It makes sense doesn't it? In order to experience good and appreciate it, we have to know what bad is. We value healing and good health more sincerely after we have been sick or injured and the same has been true for peace. It has been and will continue to be a wonderful gift from God.

 

       Now that the Christmas season is upon us, for some, work hours become longer and harder, ( I work for the Post Office), money becomes an issue ( I have 5 children and 3 amazing grandchildren), Holiday plans are made, more errands are run, shopping has to be done, cooking, cleaning, and the list goes on. I love Christmas but for many years Christmas has been a struggle.

 

       This Christmas, I work in a different office, in a different town, with a totally different culture. I have new relationships. I have joined new clubs which require new responsibilities and my church has once again changed to a new location. Everything is different yet Christmas is the same year after year. Once again the stress of the season has begun to creep upon my heart and mind with an old familiar ache and I find myself wanting it to be over as soon as it's begun.

 

       What a rip off for old Saint Nick. There is no other time of the year that is more giving, more loving, more beautifully decorated than Christmas. It's a time of surprise and wonder and everything good, especially the cookies. Every tree that is trimmed and every house gloriously lit brings an earthly joy that can't be explained. For those of us that do not have a lot of money, or even those that do have the opportunity to look upon the beauty of not only the decorations but the beauty of people's hearts. Christmas just does something to people. It makes some kinder, if allowed, more compassionate and forgiving. It has a special kind of peace about it that soothes the ache caused by the temporary hustle and bustle and old memories.

 

      The peace that Jesus left is just like that but exponentially more. As I began to think about all the things that have taught me, this year, to enjoy the free gift left behind for us all, I thought, what if, for once, I learn how to walk in that same peace during this busy season and NOT walk in stress and worry, for once and for all! It IS possible to be a Postmaster of 2 Post Offices at Christmas AND have money problems, AND have BUSY-NESS to take care of, kids to shop for etc. etc. AND walk in perfect peace. 

 

       How is this possible?

 

       Jesus Christ said, " Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. ...." (John 14:27)

 

       It's not a normal peace. It's not even comparable to any peace paid bills, or a completed "To Do" list has ever given. It is peace that belongs to a Risen King who has already paid the price for us to walk in "freedom from disturbance, quiet and tranquility" as Webster's dictionary explains. We don't have to be afraid of anything except doing wrong. That is called "godly fear".

 

       How many times do we have to overcome all these obstacles before we realize HE, God Himself, has our backs. How many times does He have  to valiantly provide all the needs of Christmas before we realize He will do it again and again. He is a good God who wants good things for His children. He wants us to succeed, do well, and overcome and at the same time to have peace. It was His gift to the world in Jesus Christ.

 

       In the final part of John 14:27 He says, "...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

I refuse to let my heart tremble another moment or fear that He is going to rip the rug out from under me. Lord I receive Your peace. Even in the season of Christmas, when the world tries to take it away thank you for Your Christmas Peace.


      

The Warm Light

Now we see as in a glass darkly. We can’t see the path ahead unless we follow the light. No one can tell the future unless God tells them. It’s ok, really. The light of the love of God shines ahead showing just enough so as not to lose our way. He is a Good Shepherd after all. He doesn’t want us to be lost but if we could see the end of the path, if we could see the future we may mess it up, hurt ourselves or others. If I would have known what all I had to go through to get where I am today, I would have said no thanks Lord. But God...in His infinite wisdom saw fit to lead me down a path full of bumps and sharp turns to the place I am today.

The path is narrow as He said it would be but leads to a place of peace. It leads to a place we all want to be, righteousness, in right standing with God. It leads us to, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” The path is narrow but the light is warm and full of hope. A hope that we will arrive precisely where we are supposed to.

There is no more inviting light than the glow from a fireplace with the light from a Christmas tree gleaming beside it. It can be freezing outside, the wind howling but inside the light beckons us closer.  Like a light house beckons ships lost in the fog, “ Follow me. I will show you the way, ” so does the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.

 He beckons, “ Come closer to me. I will show you the way. In Me is warmth and comfort. I will not lead you astray nor will I hurt you. Come closer to me my love. Let me help you carry those burdens. I know you have problems. I can help you with those. It is not your place to be so heavy laden with pain and sorrow because I already paid the price it cost to carry those. I did it on the cross. That was My job. It is unnecessary for you to pay any extra. I am strong enough to carry your baggage. I was created for it. Believe me when I say I want to help you. It makes me happy to help you and makes it all worth it.  Aren’t you happy when you help others? It’s o.k. for you to help others. I want you to be happy too. I want you to know the joy of giving and laying your life down for one another. I also want you to learn to be a light in dark places like me. I want you to know how to lead others down the right path, how to help others not to stray and when the work is over we will all be together in the great light of heaven where there is no darkness, where it is warm and safe, where no sorrow or loss can break your heart. I care about your heart and I know it’s hard sometimes but it will be worth it. You will overcome all of the problems you are dealing with and we will be together forever. Let not your heart be troubled for the Light of the World has come. Come into the Light and stay close to
Me.”

Life is hard. Problems are real no matter what manner they show themselves in but Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. He is The Light of the World.

Take comfort in the fact that God did not leave you alone and in the dark. He set you on a path and gave you a light to lead the way. He gave you Jesus Christ. I know this is true because  He led me here. He led me through teenage homelessness, jail, out of thievery and deceit, out of addiction and into self confidence, motherhood and success.

I still have my share of problems but now I follow the light. There are still ruts in the road with what seems like wild animals lurking in the dark but I do not fear and neither should you. When you are
afraid He will hide you under the shadow of His wings and lead you on, fighting the darkness for you. When you don’t know what to do or where to go He will guide your feet. He is The Way, The Truth and The Life. He is The Light of the World,  So while you are in the world follow the warmth of the light of Jesus Christ.