Monday, December 29, 2008

That Time Of The Year

Praise the Lord! I missed all of you out in "Blog Land". I took a few days off to enjoy my mini-vacation and family. I hope that you enjoyed your holiday, spent some QT with your loved ones and got at least a little bit of rest and relaxation in all of the festivities. I don't know about you all but I need a vacation to recuperate from the vacation.

For many of us, the holiday season is a time to enjoy family and friends. For some of us, the only time of the year that we are able to see some of our loved ones is during the holiday season. But what happens when your holiday and family time doesn't go as smoothly as planned? What happens when you come to the realization that you don't have the "ideal" family? How do you keep "the peace" and your peace of mind if everyone doesn't get along as well as they should? What if you find yourself left holding the bag trying to be the peacemaker? Here's one more question for you: how do you handle such scenarios with the smile that everyone expects you to have?

Unfortunately, it is during the holiday season that we hear more stories about people falling into depressions, abusing substances, over eating and feeling an over all sense of emptiness. People experience these same problems all throughout the year but they seem to be magnified during the time of year when families are supposed to come together. It is during these times of the year that the lonely tend to feel lonelier. This saddens me because I can recall a time when the holiday season spelled out DRAMA for me. All thanks and praise be to God that I had peace this holiday season but my heart cannot help but to go out to so many others that experienced losses, sadness, and loneliness during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. So today, I've decided to dedicate this post to anyone that had a tough time this holiday season whether it be financially, spiritually or emotionally. Know that I am praying for. I love you and Jesus loves you more.

Some wise person once said that we don't get to choose our families. This is true. We don't get to chose who we are genetically related to but we do get to chose who we are spiritually connected with. You see, if you are missing your relatives, don't have many relatives or maybe not getting along so well with your relatives, remember that you are not alone. You have another family - a new family. Once you say yes to Jesus, you become the son or daughter of God. The bible says that we are grafted into the family of God. So regardless of what our DNA says - God says that you are His child. You future is not predicated by your past. If a man, woman, boy or girl be in Christ he or she is a NEW creature and ALL old things are passed away. You can change if you want. You can break the cycle. We do not have to accept generational curses. The buck stops here in Jesus' name!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.(Ephesians 1:3-6)
Lord, I thank and praise you for the many ways you have made for us. I thank you for getting us through yet another holiday season. Right now I ask that you touch the lonely, wounded, broken hearted and heavy laden. Comfort them in the name of Jesus. You called all the heavy laden and burdened to come to You because you promised that you would give them rest. I ask that you help us to all rest in you. We thank you for this new family you have provided for us. You said that when our father and mother forsake us that YOU would take us up. I ask that you mend every broken heart right now in the name of Jesus. Lord I ask that you have your way in our families and our lives. Send your peace to the north, south, east and west. I thank you in advance for healing, peace and prosperity in the name of Jesus. Give the weeping strength right now to hold out just a little while longer because you promised that Joy is coming in the morning. I bless you, thank you and praise You for I know that you are able to do above and beyond all I can ask for or think of.

11 comments:

luvmy4sons said...

It is funny to think that we do not get to choose our families and for some especialy difficult to think that God did...and to think that He had His good purposes in it especially if you were hurt by your family in some very serious way. But God is always good...and His purposes are always good...and He will make beauty from ashes. Hope you had a good Christmas!

Spring M Fricks said...

That's right! I love my God-given family. They were there for me when I didn't have a family. God is awesome and his restoration complete. Amen to this!

I've never heard the song "I'm in Awe of You." I'll have to look it up. Who is it by?

From the Heart said...

Thanks for your visit to my blog. I have tried to keep up but I know I've missed some posts. I've had family here in our small apartment. It has been like a camping trip, but I have loved every minute of it. My oldest daughter stayed longer than usual because our neice, her husband and their twin son came. Their son has stayed with us and his parents at my brother-in-laws. My daughter had plans almost everyday to keep my grandchildren (who stayed here also) and nephrew entertained. She's not married so she enjoys doing for others.

Your post is great. I'm sure there is a lot of turmoil in families at this time of year. It shouldn't be that way but it happens and all we can do is pray for them.
God bless you,
AliceE.

HALLELUJAH said...

Thoughtful post.

Have a Happy New Year.


GOD Bless~~~

Sharon said...

Amen,Amen!!! God is good always!
Happy New Year my friend, looking forward to sharing more of his word with you next year.
God Bless
Sharon

Parkay said...

Hey lady, you are so wise for such a young person. You are an inspiration to me and others like me going through many difficulties this holiday season. I almost lost touch with why we have Christmas in the first place. I was so consumed with what I don't have any longer and forgot about what I have gained this past year among the losses. The prayer you spoke in this post lifted me spiritually and I thank God for you daily. Keep doing what you do so well and that's encouraging others - Happy 2009 to you and the people you love ~PEACE~

Myriam said...

Hope you enjoyed your mini vacation. You have touched on a very sensitive subject that is so real. But we are thankful for our spiritual family as well.

Happy New Year and God's blessings on you and yours.

Runner Mom said...

Shanita! This was beautiful, my friend! Thank you! I pray that you and your family will be so blessed by God in 2009!

If you will go to Wendy Pope's website--it was highlighted in my post--and read her blog for 12-31, you will get the info about the Bible study!!

Love ya,
Susan

Pastor A. A. McGhee said...

Your are a gifted writer. Happy New Year to you and yours.

A Free Spirit Butterfly said...

I am blessed that I am not experiencing any of those things, but that doesn't mean that I won't in the future; so thank you in advance for praying for me and today I join you in your prayer for others.

Happy New Year
Love, peace and blessings!

Shanita Waters said...

Happy New Year everyone! I believe that some of you were wise enough to detect that I was overcoming some "issues" as I did this post. However, I decided to look at the God that could fix the problems instead of looking at the problems and I just want to testify to you that shortly after I wrote this post - Jesus worked it out.

@ luvmy4sons - Thank you for your kind words.

@ Spring - I thank God for my natural and spiritual families everyday. It's just icing on the cake when your natural family are part of your spiritual family as well. I'm praying that all will make the transition soon.

@ Alice - It's always such a joy to hear from you. I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed your holiday and got to spend some time with your family. I believe that's what it's all about. I heard so many stories of so many things going awry this holiday season and ones before this that god touched my heart to pray for the wounded that they may come to know that By His Stripes We Are Healed.

@ Parkay - I am happy that God used my post to be a blessing to you and others as well. Thank you for your constant kind words and encouragement.

@ Myraim - thanks for stopping by. This is a very sensitive subject that I earnestly seek God for the wisdom to handle. It's a tough job and someone has to do it. God has brought me and my family through SO much and I know if He can do it for us, He can do it for others as well.

@ Susan - thanks for the info. I'm a little behind but I'm heading over to that site soon.

@ Pastor McGhee - thank you for your kind words and encouragement.

@ Free Spirit - thank you. I'm looking forward to that book. I haven't forgotten. (**smile**)