When times get very tough or complicated and we feel like we are closed in by feelings of sadness or hopelessness, leaning on God is not an easy task to perform.  He tells us over and over again in His Word that He is and will always be there for us.

The key to making this work is understanding that our part in all of this requires a decision.  Do I lean on God or do I not?  Some might say “Well, that is quite easy then.”  I would argue that when feelings of sadness or anger creep into your soul it is a daunting task to remove them.

So today for someone who is looking from the inside out, today is one of those days where sadness has settled in.  Losing someone close is never an easy thing to cope with, but I am confident in God’s promises so if you happen to see me I am sad, although my countenance may not show it.  We all grieve in our own way and that is fine; God understands.

I will choose to lean on God and know that He will guide me through this, but this is not about me.  This is for the family that may feel great loss at this time.  No amount of words in my small vocabulary can fix how you feel.  Just know that God is with you and even though you might be mad at Him; He understands.

Our task now is to celebrate a life we all had the pleasure to know.  Remember the best and keep those memories close to your heart; they are your treasure.  I have loved you all from the first second I knew you.

As we follow our path towards hope,

It is towards the upward goal we gaze,

Forever traveling on that slippery slope.

 

Each day is a new one to those who seek it,

Around every corner the treasure rests,

It is by candle light how the tunnel is lit.

 

This poem means nothing in your darkened halls,

You can change your life if it is your wish,

Life outside the window will move along without you;

even as the snow falls.

 

 

 

 

 

Each day as we swim in the stream set before us there are times when it seems that life throws obstacles or challenges in our way.  Christmas it seems is one of those times where instead of taking time to understand the gift God gave us through His son Jesus Christ, we spend it stressing over finding the perfect gifts to buy our loved ones or in a rush to get that perfect LED light set for the house.

Not only do we put stress on ourselves by shopping in crowded stores, life also has something to add.  Children and other family members get sick or injured.  Car accidents due to the weather.  The passing of close family members.  And the list keeps going on; where does it end?  In our minds it seems that it never does.

So don’t stress over the little things or the big things for that matter.  Worry is a sin that we are all familiar with, but if we focus our time on the things we can change we gain a sense of accomplishment from that, not stressed or worried because we think we have failed.

God is there with you, just reach out to Him and He will get you through that long list that just seems to be adding up.  I think you might be surprised to find that it is not as long as you think when you start to cross off the things you have no control over.  Those are the things on the list that belong to God, so give them to Him, He is waiting.

Everyday each one of us whether close to our families or not opens a new page in the book called “Family”.  There might even be times when we would rather not turn a page in that book, but it is inevitable.

I think the important thing to remember in any family relationship that includes God or not, it is that we all do care.  Again, there might be times when we think we don’t or wish not to, it doesn’t matter.  That feeling of love still creeps in with a rush of memories and we quickly find ourselves in that book again.

If there is anything that we have learned from God it is that He has been and always will be there for us, even when we think He has not or is not.  Families do the same thing.  Many of us have said or done nothing as we watch a family member make terrible choices, but we are still there.  Then there are times when we do say something and make it known that they are making a mistake.

The book called “Family” in my home says this; “If I say something to help or correct and it offends you; be happy.  If I didn’t say anything I wouldn’t be showing you that I care.  If I say something and it makes you happy, simply be happy, because that is all that I want for you.”

The book called “Family” is there for each one of us to open, but it is up to each of us to fill the pages.  So take some time today to tell your family that you love them; we all need to hear that and I would love to see what the pages in your book called “Family” looks like.  The cover might look pretty cool too!

So remember that Christmas should not be the only time we give presents as long as they come with no strings attached; only a bow of love.

As we move through the stream we may find things that get in our way.  Sometimes it might be a rock or it might be a log.  When we encounter these things how do we approach them?

For a fish this actually presents an opportunity rather than an obstacle.  It can be a place to help maneuver from one side of the stream to the other or it can be a place to hide and ambush its next meal.  Either way it is perceived as a positive rather than a negative.

When God places these “rocks and logs” in our stream how do we perceive them?  I would like to offer that they are something God uses to either get our attention or to simply show us that there are positives where it might seem only the negative exists.

I would challenge ourselves to search through the “Word” to find examples of where God placed something in front of someone and they were able to recognize what God was trying to say or get them to do.  The outcome of God’s plan might not be what we think it is, but it is important to at least acknowledge its existence.  Some prayer might be needed to help you during this quest and remember that God may not always reveal all the details of His plan; only what you need to follow through with your part.

Are there places in your life that allow you a break from the strong current of life?  We should all find time to take breaks from the current as it may not always be a trip downstream we are swimming.