The Season of Sorrow

This is supposed to be a season of celebration. A season of joy. A season of thankful hearts.

And yet, for so many, it is a season of sorrow.

A season of remembering loved ones who are sorely missed.

A season of longing for a marriage that is strong.

A season of despair over illness . . . of many kinds.

A season of good-byes as some too young to go slip from this world.

A season of "anniversary pain" because the past few Decembers carried anguish and sleepless nights.

I am praying for you, sweet friend, if you are in a season of sorrow.  I'm asking God to make Himself known to you. That you might catch a glimpse of His redeeming love and feel the warmth of His embrace. There are many things that cannot be understood and your need for it to make sense leaves you feeling hollow. I'm asking God to fill the void; to send people to you who will "be Jesus with skin on."

Take care, my precious family in Christ. Take care to stop long enough to search the eyes of the waitress, the man bagging groceries, the FedEx lady, and the grouchy person in line behind you. Take care to think it through and realize this person might be in a great season of sorrow.

A gentle touch, a warm smile, a gesture of holding a door open or leaving a large tip can change a persons day. No, no you can't take the cancer away and you can't turn back time to prevent a funeral. You can't heal a broken marriage and you can't bring a wayward child home.

But you know Who can.

Before you leave home in the morning, ask God to make you an instrument of His peace. Be the one that is sensitive to those around you. Be the one who asks "How are you?" and actually stands still long enough to hear the answer.

Almost 20 years ago Suzanne Gaither Jennings (Bill and Gloria Gaither's daughter) penned the words to the song Hand of Sweet Release. It became a favorite Christmas song for my husband and me. Life is full of painful experiences, moments of despair. People need a relationship with the long expected Jesus. . .

Come thou long expected Jesus,
Come illuminate the mysteries of life.
Come redeem us from the refuse,
Bring an end to endless suffering and strife.
Be the star that shines so brightly
That it draws our weary eyes to the sky,
to Heaven’s sky.
Dearest child of new beginnings,
Be the start of something beautiful, I cry.

There’s an end to all the waiting,
There’s an answer to the “who?” and “where?” and “why?” . . . tonight.
All the years anticipating,
Are surrendered to a tiny baby’s cry.
There’s a dawn to follow darkness,
There’s a face to fill the title, “Prince of Peace.”
What he promised, he deliveredI am saved by the hand of sweet release.

In this war I’ve been a captive,
Just a sinner seeking life and liberty.
But these hands that hold me tightly
Are the hands that set my shackled spirit free.
Blessed Jesus, meek and lowly,
You have come into my life and made it new,
Now I’m new.
Out of bondage into everlasting light,
I owe everything to you.

Pray for those in a season of sorrow. Pray for God's touch that turns ashes into joy.

Take care to tell the hurting about The Hand of Sweet Release. . . the person Jesus. The One who sets the shackled spirit free.

The One who came that very special night is no longer in a manger bed. His bones cannot be found in a grave. He is alive and in the hearts of all who believe. The Redeemer is HERE.

Sorrow lasts for a night, but joy comes in the morning.