Thursday, December 31, 2009

Bye, Bye 2009

As most do, I have been reflecting much on the past year and contemplating another one coming my way.  I have to admit at first mention of saying farewell to 2009, I am quite pleased to do so.  It has officially been a year since I first developed RSD, a nerve disorder I was told by several specialists, would only progress. I had no idea what was in store for me but was certain God spoke to me that I would be healed. Little did I know it would not be overnight, nor did He mean just physically.  It has been a bittersweet journey these past 12 months, full of pain, struggle, patience, rest, emotional cleansing, joy, and freedom.  I'm overflowing with thankfulness that my Creator has brought more to me through these experiences than I could have ever thought possible.  I know most people can't really appreciate how amazing it is that I can even walk, but after researching the condition and living through it, I do not take it for granted at all. Thank you to all who have prayed for me this year and have encouraged me every step of the way.  Although none of us ever know what is in store for us in a new year, I genuinely feel that God always has something special for each of us, if we choose to surrender it to Him. I guess it's nice to have some kind of sense of a new start for many reasons.  So even though I can now appreciate this year, bye, bye, 2009.  I'm happy to welcome a new one.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Happy Holidays? No thanks.

For years I have heard the dueling "Happy Holidays" and "Jesus is the reason for the season", but for some reason it really struck a chord with me this Christmas. All of a sudden I am so fed up with politically correct and have been so convicted of leaving our Lord and Savior behind. It makes no sense that we go through all the stresses of what Christmas has become and refuse to even acknowledge what started it all in the first place. If someone is Jewish and wants to wish me Happy Hannukah, so be it...I'll wish them a Merry Christmas because without it, my whole reason for living would be shaken. I will not apologize for wishing that others would know and celebrate Jesus Christ.
I went into this year with a little different perspective because some of the traditions my family had were going to change. As it got closer, I was humbled when I was reminded that all I needed to "stress" and worry about was if my heart was worshipping my Lord for coming to this earth for ME. Overall I hold on to too much in this world without regard for what holds eternal significance for me. So as we face another year, I pray that my heart would be ever changing so that every day might include me celebrating Christmas.