Tag: picture

Christmas Perfection

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:10-12

What do you picture Christmas to be? Specifically yours?

You know. The anticipation. What’s the picture in your head?

Children all accounted for and pleasant. Smiling, dressed in their new outfits, perfectly calm and cooperative.

Husband abiding dutifully by your every wish – after all, your ability to orchestrate the perfect Christmas cannot be doubted.

Your parents playing the proper grandparent role, doling out hugs and kisses to one and all.

The family traditional meal perfectly prepped. Your Grandmother would be proud.

Presents all wrapped, waiting for the excited hands to tear open. Everyone will love them as you spent your time thoughtfully shopping along their tastes and needs.

All family members happily sitting together at the lovely Christmas Eve service, complete with candles and carols, accompanied, of course, by the organ.

Finally, your home is clean, laundry caught up, and even the mail has been filed away.

This Christmas scenario seems like a one in a million lottery draw, creeping to align with one of God’s lesser creation miracles.

When what you picture doesn’t materialize, because it just won’t, what is your reaction?

Do you try harder the next year after your disappointment the year before?

Pout and grieve parts of the actual day away?

Or smile and stand tall anyhow?

Jesus wasn’t born among perfection.

So actually, an imperfect Christmas is holy. Right?

We try to create memories for our family. But the picture in our head is ours alone. Not theirs. Not God’s.

Prep and plan. But pause and pray more.

If your family is not all present, Jesus is still born.

If someone comes to dinner in a bad mood, Jesus is still born.

If your church forgoes real candles for fake battery imitators, Jesus is still born.

If all your presents are absolute flops, Jesus is still born.

We celebrate only because of Jesus.

We celebrate our love for others because of Jesus’ love for us.

Remain focused on Jesus, our baby in the manger.

He came to free you from sin. And from any chain that binds you up while you’re still here.

And that includes our unrealistic expectations of the day, others, and yourself.

Photos by Keith Tanner, Ksenia Yakovleva, Mike Cox, & Patti Black on Unsplash

Rebuilding

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

But now, I will heal and mend them. I will make them whole and bless them with an abundance of peace and security. Jeremiah 33:6

It was an incredibly beautiful picture.

Stunning, in fact.

Worth millions.

One day, cracks appeared.

Before you knew it, the picture literally crumbled.

Shattered into a million little pieces.

God allowed it to break.

Your picture. The priceless one.

But when He allows it to break, He doesn’t leave it in a pile of mismatched pieces.

Nope. He helps you put it back together.

Will it look the same? Nope.

Can’t.

But God, through His mercy and grace, has an even better picture for you.

Might take awhile. But rest as it’s all in God’s perfect timing.

Jeremiah reminds us God will make us whole.

And He will do it.

As He builds your new picture, some of the old pieces will fit. Others won’t.

It’s not your job to fashion, as He holds the directions.

He knows. All you have to do is sit back, allowing Him to use whatever tool He deems necessary.

Might be messy. In fact, it will be.

Very messy.

There will be times when you don’t understand the way He is rebuilding your picture.

You might even question it.

But don’t give up.

Don’t walk away with an unfinished picture.

Trust Him fully as He is the only one who can rebuild your picture absolutely perfectly.

He knows where each piece fits.

And He’s got new pieces, too.

The pieces He allows to stay will shine brightly as they have been touched by the hand of God.

Healed by His precious peace.

So keep going. Keep holding out your future to His capable hands.

Bring everything to His feet and He will rebuild your picture so it looks just right.

And you’ll love it, I promise.

Photos by Brigitta Schneiter, sarandy westfall, pine watt, Mauricio Sabino, & Olivia Snow on Unsplash