Women of God
As I was reading through several blogs about Christmas memories (old and new ones) on Thursday afternoon, my heart got heavy. My heart always gets heavy this time of year. You see, even though we live for the past 16 years in Arizona, I miss Germany — especially at Christmas time. My favorite part growing up on Christmas Eve was the music in our home. My mom has the voice of an angel. When she sang “Silent Night” (of course the German version “Heilige Nacht“), I always cried. I imagine that my mom will be part of the first string choir in heaven. I guess that is why I can’t finish the song in church either — because I think of my family in Germany and how much I miss them…
Listening to some awesome worship music on Saturday afternoon, I had a cleansing cry. Wandering around the blogsphere on Sunday afternoon, I came across Vicki’s post about His mercy. She always has wonderful Scripture passages posted. She reminded me that I can find in Him the peace I need. Even when my family is far away – I know that He is near. He is closer to my heart than anyone else in my life. He knows my hurts, my pains…
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)
I left a comment on Vicki’s blog that I am having a rough time (okay – I told her that I lost it on Saturday)…Sunday night I received an e-card from Vicki with the encouraging message of 2 Corinthians 2:18. You see, when you are hurting inside, give it to the Lord, but also share with your sisters in Christ that you are not doing well. He uses these women to comfort you. They are His hands and feet to serve. Never feel that you have to have it all together at all times — we all loose it once in a while (well, I do)…
Is your heart heavy this Christmas time? May we pray for you? Please visit our prayer page. We are His hands and feet to serve…
Lord of Heaven and Earth. We come before Your throne of grace and mercy this morning. We sometime loose it this side of heaven. Lord, our hearts get heavy. We are asking for Your comfort and for Your peace. Help us to reach out each other. Open our hearts to see who needs Your touch. We pray in the name of One and Only, we pray in Jesus’ name. ~ Amen…
Blessings to your Monday and as always…
I know what homesickness is, but yours is even farther than mine. May the Lord use thoes sweet memories and give you comfort during this time. May he renew your spirit and give you wonderful new memories with your family this year.
(((hugs)))
Iris,
This is just beautiful. What struck me is the truth that other women are His hands and feet. I am sending you a giant hug because you are always and encouragement to me. Can’t wait to meet your Mom one day. Blessings, Lynn
Oh, Iris – how precious you are to Him and to all of us. {{{hugs}}} Your mom sounds like an angel, and I can understand your heartache in missing her and the rest of your family, particularly during this Christmas season. The Lord bless you and comfort you. Thank you for the sweet reminder that we can be His hands and feet. You have ministered to me SO many times over this past year without realizing it. We absolutely need the Lord AND each other.
Warmest Christmas blessings,
Vicki
Even though I”m home where I grew up this Christmas, I am missing the mountains, because it’s so different this year.
{{{{hug}}}} I hope you’re able to enjoy the holidays this year, even though there are sad moments. Make new memories for your family and make it special for them. 😉
Love you!
Thank you for these lovely words of hope and inspriration! I also struggle with a heavy heart from time to time, and during holidays.
Blessings to you as you allow God to lift you up!
I hope you’re feeling better today. Vicki is such an amazing encouragement. Perhaps it’s especially difficult this year, knowing you will soon be an empty nester. I know that makes me sad! Gather your loved ones close. I think ultimately we are all homesick for heaven… and yay, it’s coming!!! :~)
Iris this is a beautiful prayer and I totally know where you are coming from. I lost it at Thanksgiving. I miss my parents and family so badly on Holidays…more than ever. I know how it feels to be so homesick that it hurts deeply. I know that having a relationship with Christ …and him comforting me is the only thing that gets me through it.
Thank you for such an uplifting and encouraging post.
I’m looking forward to every day being a holiday when we all finally get home. We’ll celebrate with the Son and with each other.
Meanwhile, I miss Christmas in the rain forest. But not that much.
Praying you find much for which to celebrate this Christmas, Iris!
I am so sorry to hear you are having a rough time Iris. That must be so hard – I can’t imagine being far from my mom and twin. (And none of us have good singing voices, so unfortunately our houses are not filled with beautiful music like yours was!!!)
Sending you prayers and {{{hugs}}}
Although Christmas brings many good memories it can also bring along sad ones. My dad loved Christmas and experiencing Christmas for the first time after losing him was very difficult. Then we had to go through it again after we lost our brother to cancer. I guess loss is just as much part of life as life itself, whether it be through death or by a long distance separation. But the great news is we’re only passing through on our way to a permanent home where we will see those we’ve lost or those separated from us by distance. The important thing to remember along the way is to not allow ourselves to be trapped by sad memories. They do come because they are part of our life, but as our pastor says, “You can’t stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can stop it from building a nest in your hair.” I know that sounds kind of crazy, but we have to make sure we don’t allow our sad memories to build a nest in our mind. Don’t give them a permanent dwelling place. After a while we have to shoo them away, because we have to guard our hearts. It’s a conscious decision we have to make ourselves. Remember what Paul says in Philippians 4:8, “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” I’m not saying this is an easy task. The sad memories or the pain of missing someone is real. It’s what we do with those thoughts that count. I usually have a good cry, but then determine to wave those thoughts away and replace them what is good in my life. If not, it wouldn’t take long for my past memories to take over my present and my future. Iris, you are the most excellent encourager, even when you minister our of your own pain. God is doing and is going to do great things with your life I have no doubt. It’s okay to lose it and to have a good cry. But God has given you strength beyond your own understanding and ability that you will use to keep moving forward and that you will minister to others out of this supernatural strength. You are in my prayers and thank you for your great blog and your honesty. (Sorry didn’t mean to write a book here.)
sorry to hear you are feeling blue… I do hope you will sing Silent Night in honor of your mom this Christmas… do you sing too?
I can so relate to being far away from family. I think that is why Christmas is such a hard time for me and I tend to be grinch-like about it. I still can’t deal with the song “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” very well. Blessings to you!!