Have you heard about people putting up their Christmas decorations during the coronavirus pandemic?
I hadn’t considered hauling out my decorations and decking the halls – until yesterday.
I don’t know about you, but I’m still adjusting to life in the midst of COVID-19. It’s a daily tug-of-war between my expectations and reality. Between my emotions and my faith.
My “want to’s” keep colliding with my “can’ts” – and when you multiply that by the four other people living in my house right now, things can get a little tense.
Back to yesterday.
I’m usually the first one up in the morning in my house. I savor that hour or so of quiet, when it’s just me and, well, yes, sometimes the dog, who often insists on getting up, too. The house is quiet and I enjoy my ginger and lemon tea. I turn my thoughts and heart to God and what He might want to say to me.
I’m reading a 40-day devotional, Satisfy My Soul, which was a Christmas gift from my friend, Rachel. Yesterday’s entry highlighted how the writer and his wife leaned into God and who he promises to be, during an extremely difficult time in their lives. They wrote:
“Looking at our everyday lives, families, and jobs, we all know such moments and times when difficulties and problems seem to become larger than life. It’s exactly at those times that we must turn our focus on God and the promises He’s given us—harnessing the power of our words to claim and speak His promises.” (“The Words You Create,” by Veronika and Sebastian Lohmer in Satisfy My Soul.)
Okay, I was paying attention.
And then there was this: “In difficult, hopeless, depressing, painful, dangerous, and bad situations we are given the chance to proclaim and express the truth even though we feel totally different. We declare who God is, how great Jesus is, how He sees us—and then we boldly declare the fantastic and perfect plans and promises which He has given us.”
COVID-19? It’s a bad situation for each one of us.
This is our chance to center ourselves on The Truth … even though we don’t feel like it. Even though our circumstances are difficult. Dangerous. Depressing.
Reading the devotional reminded me of Christmas.
I’ve been focusing on the Names of God during the month of March. My favorite name of God? Emmanuel, which means “God with us.”
Yes, God with us is the miracle of Christmas – but it is the miraculous truth of today and tomorrow and every day to come. It’s the truth I’m leaning into during the uncertainty surrounding our days right now.
My husband didn’t hesitate when I asked him to go through the Christmas boxes in our garage last night. It took a while to find the banner made by my friend Tari that says, “Emmanuel.” It now decorates my mantle – and that’s where it will stay to remind me that yes, God is with us. My husband also hung our Christmas star outside. Maybe the light will encourage others that the hope of Christmas isn’t boxed up, turned off, and put away at the end of December.
What about you? Feel like putting up a few Christmas decorations? What truth is getting you through this tough time?
Coronavirus, Christmas, and Choosing Truth to Change Our Attitudes https://bit.ly/2WIZlYO #COVID19 #encouragement Share on X 'God never promises to remove us from our struggles. He does promise, however, to change the way we look at them.' Quote by @MaxLucado https://bit.ly/2WIZlYO #COVID19 #faith Share on XJoin the read aloud fun each day on my Author Facebook Page at 5 PM! My daughter, Christa, is reading one chapter a day of Things I Never Told You, book 1 in my Thatcher Sisters Series. Chapters 1 & 2 are already available. And the e-book is still only $1.99 through the end of March.
Comments 13
I haven’t seen any Christmas lights in my neighborhood, but then, I’m not out at night. 😉 I take that back…on my walk yesterday, I saw a mom and child putting up lights! I think it’s so encouraging to see others spreading hope and joy. God is good.
Author
Sherrinda: How fun that you saw someone putting up lights yesterday. I haven’t seen any around our neighborhoods yet, but that could change. And yes, people are spreading hope and joy (and laughter) in other ways. Your IG posts always encourage me.
I love this, Beth. And I love the reminder that God is with us every day of the year, in every season in our lives. We don’t have any Christmas decorations up, but I have a small creche on a bookshelf in my family room, another reminder that Jesus is always with us.
Author
I’ve kept a small nativity scene out all year long for years now, ever since hearing a sermon where the pastor challenged us not to pack up Christmas at the end of December. Maybe I need to move it to the mantle, too.
I had to go out for food this morning and noticed lights up here and there, including a downtown street with all its trees lit. It lifted my spirits a notch. I’d put up mine if I had any. 🙂
Author
Lori: I love the fact that a downtown street had its trees it. It makes wonder if more commercial areas are doing that. There’s a lot of negativity tossed around these days, but I, for one, am looking for hope. Listening for hope. And speaking hope. On the days I can’t — I rest and try again the next day.
I put up a valued banner,
where it will catch my eye.
It contains my one-word answer,
and that One Word’s BANZAI!
I intend to live Ten Thousand Years
or die along that narrow way,
but will not submit to fears,
not on this, nor any day.
My heart is forged into a blade,
my silent words are shuriken;
it’s for these days that I was made,
and for posterity that I pen
the defiance of an ancient age
in blood upon the modern page.
Banzai literally means ‘to live ten thouand years’.
Shuriken are throwing stars.
(This is a second attempt at a comment…something in the internet really seems to dislike me.)
Author
Hello, my friend: Would it surprise you that I know what shuriken are? 🙂
Praying for you and Barb. I know you are facing each day with courage and that you always choose hope.
Not surprised at all, and thank you so much for the prayers!
Thought for the day:
“Crazy times don’t last. but crazy people do.”
Emmanuel! What a wondrous truth. He is with us always.
No lights in my neighborhood. But I have considered busting out the sidewalk chalk to sketch out some hope and happy on my driveway.
Author
Christmas lights or sidewalk chalk … anything that promotes hope works for me. Do post photos of your artwork, my friend. 🙂
I don’t know what “Shuriken” are but would like to.
Hurray for Rob’s efforts, stars, and Christa! (And the rest of you, too, of course!)
Author
Hi, Dee!
Shuriken are throwing stars used in martial arts. Very sharp. Praying for you, for Andrew … for everyone in this community!