Home for Christmas

***If you would like Michael Buble’ to serenade you while you read this post scroll down and click on play. You can save it till the end but he makes a nice back drop to today’s story.

I love to post seasonal pics. Lately my hash tag of choice is——–

#ChristmasIsComing

Every time I type it I smile. There’s an anticipation in its arrival that even as an adult I get excited about.

{Lest you think my eagerness is because I nailed all my DoAheads this season think again. Check out last week’s post for the skinny on, “Let’s get real.”}

No, I think I’m excited because it’s in my DNA. Christmas was my mother’s favorite time of year. She was the Christmas Elf.

Every year her tiny body, bolstered by giant determination, levied tub after tub of candles, carolers and New England Village pieces down from their place of seasonal consignment. She gave new meaning to the phrase, “Haul out the holly.”

I’m certain Mom passed some of this Christmas passion down to her progeny. However, lately I’ve experienced a hiccup in my appreciation for the season. It’s the punch in the gut I feel when:

The scent of cinnamon makes me think she’s in the kitchen——only she’s not.

Twinkling lights trick me, I want to call her and share how pretty they look——she won’t be there to answer.

A funny family snapshot would make her laugh——she’ll never see it.

My mother’s passing 18 months ago doesn’t rob me of Christmas joy but it does filter it. I know I’m not alone in this.

• This past fall a local house fire claimed the life of a 19 year old boy. No doubt his family is grieving during this season.
• A youth pastor, beloved by many, lost his battle to cancer this year. His wife and seven children will have their first Christmas without him.
• A recent automobile accident took the lives of two local women. I can’t imagine how their families are feeling right now.

It’s hard to reconcile the joy of Christmas with the sorrow of lost loved ones. Christmas joy seasoned with salty tears is bittersweet indeed.

These were the thoughts that plagued me early this morning. Ordinarily, time spent chatting with Him leaves me feeling full and ready for whatever the day may bring. Today, however I felt like a hollow pop can drained of its contents. My heart was tinny and echoed inside.

I moved to the Christmas tree and knelt before it. Before I knew it I was laying on my back looking up at the lights.

Looking up at the star.

Looking up.

A heavenward gaze has a funny way of putting life in perspective. I was reminded that as much as God grieves over my loss and feels my pain He remembers what I’ve forgotten.

The pain is only temporary.

It is easy for my finite, fleshly being to focus on the here and now. When I focus on the future I’m reminded that there will be…

No More Tears

No More Sorrow

No More Pain

The truth of the matter is I’m not home yet. None of us are——–

Home for Christmas.

If you’re missing a loved one this season you may want to grab a tissue (I did.) You can listen to the song below with me and have an old fashioned “I sure do miss you cry”. But at the end dear friends let’s remember this…

We’re not home yet but, if we allow it to, that simple fact can deepen our anticipation for the joy ahead.  So let’s get off the floor and remember the One who left his home for earth so we could leave earth for home.

There are no words more trustworthy than this…

We can count on Him.

“For this word is not our home; we are looking forward to our city in heaven, which is yet to come.” Hebrews 13:14

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Rev. 21:4

“That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.” Romans 8:18-21  (Emphasis mine.)

Angie Ryg is hosting Inspire Me Monday today!

If you have a moment and can break from baking cookies or planning presents you’ll want to check out the posts below.

These lovely ladies (including your DoAhead friend) will be co-hosting with Angie: Denise J. Hughes and Anita Strawn de Ojeda. Below are your  1-2-3′s for linking up and living life inspired!

1. Link up an inspirational post from the previous week (just one please.)
2. Visit two other contributors (especially the person who linked up right before you) and leave an encouraging comment.
3. Share the inspiration three ways…you can tweet, share a post on Facebook, Pin-It, Instagram-It, WHATEVER form of social media you choose…just SHARE!

Your Christmas Happy but Hankering for Home DoAhead Friend,