Immanuel. Gloria.

Earlier today, I had been sitting next to our twinkling Christmas tree and listening to the happy sounds of play drifting down the stairs where my sweet and beautiful children were enjoying their winter break with immense satisfaction. I was overwhelmed with the feeling of gratitude and joy for being the recipient of the undeserved gifts of a warm and happy home.

While I was having these happy thoughts, I was simultaneously listening to a loved one on the phone who was talking/ranting/yelling at me about various things that people had done to upset her, myself included. The thoughts came quick, mumbled, and more than half completely not based in reality. Confronting the delusions would result in greater agitation, and yet one doesn't want to give the illusion of silent agreement which can be interpreted as verification of this false reality.

I wrote this a few moments later in a moment of weakness and hope.


Posted on Facebook 12/21/17:

I'm so thankful for the Christmas season and the joy, awe, and celebration of community, generosity, and the immeasurable gift of God in flesh coming to live and walk among us.

I also ache for those missing loved ones who aren't here to celebrate with them. I hurt for those who are personally battling or have loved ones battling mental illness, chronic pain/sickness, terminal illness, trauma, or many other unspoken burdens. For these reasons, this time of year can be incredibly beautiful and acutely painful... sometimes within the very same moment.

I am praying for those loved ones to experience an extra measure of grace, peace, and hope - the kind that can only be found in a loving God who entered into our wonderful yet broken world to rescue us from an eternity of sorrow, pain, and despair.

And I pray for clarity of sight to see and to remember this beautiful Truth, even in the midst of overwhelming joy and crushing sorrow: Immanuel. God with us. Gloria.