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Twinkling lights. Stockings stuffed with peppermint. Visions of sugar plums dancing in your head. That's what every single mom experiences at Christmas. Right? Wrong.
For most mothers, December evokes the holiday blues, more commonly known as disappointments - that is, disappointment of what could have been, or what is, or what is no more.
At Christmas we focus so much on the divinity of Christ that we often forget the realism of His humanity. This time of year we don't like to think of sweet baby Jesus in the manger destined to the human experience of suffering. After all, this "infant in diapers" was God. Or have we forgotten?
Jesus' own brothers deserted Him. The members of Christ's family spent their energy driving Him away from Nazareth where even His own home town scorned His advances.
The crowds deserted Him. Jesus claimed to be the "bread of life," and then watched familiar acquaintances, friends, and followers cautiously slip away and deny even knowing Him.
His disciples deserted Him. When the Roman soldiers seized Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus' thoughts turned to His disciples' safety, "You've come to seek Me. Let the others go." But already they had made their swift escape.
Yes, Jesus knows disappointment well; yet, following the Last Supper Christ declared, "In this world you WILL have tribulations." Then He gave the greatest hope you could ever ask for as a Christmas present. "But I have overcome the world."
Overcome? What does that mean? It means He's triumphed over personal issues that seek to keep you entangled. While it doesn't mean deliverance from the world of problems but it does mean deliverance in the world of problems. This Christmas you can rise above the debilitating effects of loneliness, sadness, or comparison. Christ did not give you "overcoming life" (a no heartache existence), but He did give you "life" as you overcome (inner stamina and peace as you accept the strain and rely on Him).
So take heart, single mom, and ring the bells of God's holiday message: "I am at work this very moment to will and to work My good pleasure in you where ultimately your DISappointments become MYappointments.
I have you in my heart. Merry Christmas!
Pam
P.S. Join my blog the next few days and discover the top five Holiday Blues.
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