PAINFUL CHRISTMAS REMINDERS
By Carolyn Dale Newell
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Psalm 34:18 NKJV
You have already had the “Aha” moment if you are having an especially difficult Christmas. After the third ornament with its unbearable reminder of things I would rather forget, I asked my husband if we could buy some new ornaments to replace these. My desire was to trash them, but I will give them to a new home.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do the same thing with the memories behind the pain? Toss them. Give them away. I would like to tell you that I am writing this from the prospective of a healed heart, but I’m not. Old wounds have been ripped open and new ones have been added.
I wish I had answers for both of us, but I know the One who does. Jesus has the answers to our hurting hearts. He can heal our brokenness. I have seen His grace before. Right now, I cannot see it because I am focusing on the incident. Staring at the stinger while trying to remove it. We need to focus on Jesus. We need to turn our backs on the bittersweet.
Here is how we will do it: we will pray for each other. Sisters, and brothers alike, joining our hearts in agreement that Jesus will console us. He will calm us. He will cure us.
If you are struggling through this not-so-happiest time of the year, for whatever reason, leave a comment. You don’t have to share your particular troubles. Just write, “Pray for me”. I will pray for you, and you pray for me. We will pray for each other.
Let’s commit to celebrate Christmas for the birth of our Savior and center our minds on Him. We will be stronger. We will be blessed. We will be healed!
Lord Jesus, we are a hurting mess. Please touch each one who reads this. Repair the heart that is broken. Remove the bitterness. We decorate to celebrate Your birth. Help each of us to do that – celebrate You. Enable us to put our minds on You, not the pain. Heal everyone who is hurting. Amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read Luke 4:18-19.
HIKING THE TRAIL
Please leave a short comment so you can be prayed for. Thank you, and God bless!
Copyright 2016 Carolyn Dale Newell.
A Mountain of Faith 
I am so sorry that what should be a joyous reminder is instead bringing pain. But it was good of you to gift these ornaments to someone who will find pleasure in them.
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Thanks be to God, I am in a better place this year. I wrote this last year, and it is amazing how far we come in a year. Thanks and Merry Christmas.
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