Joy In Spite of Political Correctness

This is going to be one of my more personal posts. It was never really my intention to use this blog as a personal journal. That's what pens and note books are for. But every so often, perhaps in a sense of over self-indulgence, I feel like sharing a little tid bit into the life of your faithul Cubidle Reverend. In this case it was after reading a post by Over-Easy on her apathy over the holidays. I can relate. Except my apathy came to the point of out right hatred and bitterness. It came about first at the sickness and deaht of my mother, who took a serious turn for the worse on the holidays, and the death of someone I had known my entire life, Aunt Nadia. Not my real Aunt, but as far as I was concerned she was. I'd see her every 4th of July and New Years day. The former, because it was nearly impossible to enjoy the holidays when someone is in decline. The latter because I missed a New Years day because I was scheduled to work. I called up to let them know and they put Aunt Nadia on and I could tell by her voice she was saddened that I couldn't be there. The first time I missed in over a decade. A few weeks later she passed away. It hurt me to the point where I told my boss that if they ever scheduled me for New Years day again I'd not show up and risk losing my job. It was only a part time job to earn a few extra bucks, so was it worth it to be there? Though since then a few things have happened that really brought back the meaning of Christmas for me:

1. Going to a Christmas service run by college students. They did it entirely for the love of God and the celebration of Jesus.
2. Being involved on Christmas again. Between watching the kids I work with joking around and laughing at a x-mas party it reminded me of the joy that can be had at the holidays.
3. And finally, as I posted previously: The first year after my mother died a buddy of mine invited me over his house to spend with his family. The house was so beautifully decked and seeing his daughters all wearing the same pyjamas, and just the feeling of warmth and welcome. And every year it’s the same, “Don’t bring any gifts.” Which I do anyway. I tell them not to give gifts and they do anyway. I actually enjoy christmas again. Now it is never a question of my going over to visit on Christmas.

So do not let the jackasses destroy the joy that can be found over the holiday seasons. Sure it's commercial and people have lost their focus, but that does not mean you have to stop loving the holidays and finding the joy of the Lord during this time of the year and forever.

May God Bless you during this time of year and onward. May you know His joy, peace, and love more personally and deeply than in the past, and move forward on the race, running towards the prize.

Love always

Dave