As a “Christmas nerd,” I was used to the holiday being filled with excitement, family, and fun outings. It didn’t happen this year. My parents were unable to come, my husband was stressed and overloaded with work so he took no vacation time, and, our money tree was bare this year so gifts and things to do were very selective. To make matters worse, my patience for my children was at its lowest and I was “stuck” entertaining them Christmas break by myself.
Are you hearing the violin? This was a “perfect storm,”
which left me feeling even worse – bratty
- because given what others were going
through in the world, my life was a picnic. So there you go.
Christmas this year
wasn’t about Christ,
it was about me and my worldly perspective.
I knew it but couldn’t
seem to do anything about it.
So many times, this is where I find myself come December 26th.
Broken, Bratty, and full of Shame.
Unfortunately, in a sick way, this is my old “comfortable.” It’s
my default when I allow lies free range in my head and I choose to face life
withOUT my Father, Savior and Strength.
I was BROKEN … because,
let’s face it… I am. It’s time for me to finally accept it. I always have been. And I hate to break it to you; if you’re not Jesus, you are too. That’s Truth, but not the whole story. If you remain here, you will not experience Joy. The whole truth is, I am broken without Christ.
This word was decorated and sung all through December, but let’s face it, I wasn’t feeling it. In fact, I was “feeling” lonely and … empty. How about you? Is this striking a chord with anyone?
It was missing from my Christmas. I was looking to relationships, not Christ,
for joy. I was looking to circumstances, not Christ, for joy. I was looking to
my own abilities and successes, not Christ, for joy.
JOY
This word was decorated and sung all through December, but let’s face it, I wasn’t feeling it. In fact, I was “feeling” lonely and … empty. How about you? Is this striking a chord with anyone?
Just like the world has commercialized Christmas,
it’s also
commercialized “Joy.”
Joy is my One Word this year. I saw the world decorated in it
this Christmas, but when I saw it in all its beauty, it still seemed empty. As I was jogging in my
neighborhood one evening, it struck me.
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Without Christ in the middle of Joy, there is none.
It's an empty word. Christ is the center of Joy.
Jesus came to this world as a baby to save us
from
our brokenness.
Christ is our reason for Joy. The only way to Joy.
Everything else is counterfeit.
For me, 2017 is not about being broken, bratty and full of shame. It's about allowing God to redefine the word, Joy, in my life. What it truly means and how to continually have it! I look forward to sharing what God shows me.
This is my response to those three joy stealing words left ringing in my ear at the end
of 2016.
Yes, I am broken, BUT
more so, I am BLESSED! For Jesus did not leave me in my brokenness. In fact, I
am called to boast in it!
2 Corinthians 12:9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
God loved me and chose me in spite of my brokenness. For this, He sent His Only Son, Jesus, and by His blood alone am I saved from it. Brattyness is simply brokenness manifested. And shame comes from not fully receiving Jesus sacrifice for my brokenness. Jesus, I choose you!
What's your One word for this Year - Find out here
