Corona Devo 284

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.  ~Psalm 34:18

Ho, Ho, Ho.  It's the most wonderful time of the year, isn't that what they say?

But at times, this season is not always filled with laughter and joy, is it?  The gatherings, songs, nostalgic decorations, recipes and traditions can bring sorrow and sadness.  

The world tries to paint a plastic smile of lights and Christmas jingles across our faces, but underneath, many of us know the sadness that can be woven into the holidays.  

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.  ~Psalm 34:18

The reality is, we all have loved ones that are no longer here to gather around the tree for gifts or at the table for Christmas dinner.  Their memories linger and bring both a smile and sorrow.  It might be the memory (or smell) of baking Grandma's cookies or mincemeat pie.  It might be hearing dad's jolly belly-laugh in your mind from years past.  Or looking through family photos and catching your breath because the love of your life is no longer standing beside you.  

No, this is not always the most wonderful time of the year.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.  ~Psalm 34:18

We can take (great) comfort in God's word.  He sees us.  He knows the pain of our lost love.  He also knows the yin-yang pull of being present-in-the-moment and the joys-of-today, while at the same time a part of us is frozen, still in a past embrace that ended too soon.  

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted... ~Psalm 34:18

He is close to us when we are brokenhearted.  Close/near/present/in-our-midst.  He will not remove our pain, but He is always close to us when we experience it.

God is not a genie sent to appease our emotions.  He will not delete the sorrow, and nor would I want Him to.  Even though the sadness seeps in, there was joy in "yesterday's memories", and much joy in remembering also.  

We (superficially) want to be removed from it, but there is also healing in the process of experiencing the brokenheart.  God's timing is divine and often better understood/absorbed after time has passed.    

He may allow the sorrow of loss, but there can be purpose, growth and wisdom in experiencing it.  Have you ever felt the bittersweet sadness and comfort of sitting in the sadness or memory of a lost loved one?  The Lord is close when we are there.

And He will not leave us stranded in sorrow.  He rescues us.  

...he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.  ~Psalm 34:18 

Take a deep breath.  Take a few.  Step away from the sadness of yesterday and think upon your blessings of today for a moment.  Start with the very basic gifts of being able to breathe, think, walk and talk--thank the Lord and through our gratitude, he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.  From there progress into thanking God for other ways and people that He has placed in your life.  

He rescues us.  And we need it.  


The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.  ~Psalm 34:18 

When their favorite Christmas song blares from your player and suddenly your eyes well-up with memories, take heart.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.  ~Psalm 34:18.

When everyone is gussied-up for Candlelight Service but you no longer need a seat for ____, be comforted.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.  ~Psalm 34:18

When the phone doesn't ring on Christmas morning, rejoice in the birth of our Savior anyway.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.  ~Psalm 34:18

Allow your spirit to be comforted and rescued today.  The Lord is close.  We do not experience the memories, sorrow, or brokenness alone.  He is close.

Depending on our situation or memories, perhaps it is not the most wonderful time of the year.  But it can be a time to be close to our Heavenly Father.  It can be a time to be rescued.  It can still be a time full-of-wonder.   

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com/

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