'Tis the Season?

It’s the holiday season! For the last month or more, we have been surrounded with celebratory music, lights, festivities, and food. However, not all is “merry and bright…”

A few weeks ago, I talked with someone who was struggling with a cough and sore throat, and another person commented, “’Tis the season!” We are accustomed to people getting sick here in Michigan when the temperature drops outside, the sun’s appearance becomes more rare, and people are frequently sequestered indoors.

After that, I was with someone who was bemoaning all the busyness of this holiday season, saying there was little time to pause to savor the things that make special memories, because there are so many obligations to fulfill, presents to purchase and wrap, events and parties to attend, and last-minute preparations for the holiday and end of the year.

While many people look forward to this season, the reality is that many more are struggling, including these in my personal acquaintance: A friend is grieving the loss of her mom this year, while another family has lost both grandpa and grandma in the last month. People are in the middle of cancer treatments. Others are dealing with on-going abuse. A mom and her young children are losing their home, after the dad was deported. A student talks daily about ending his life, as his challenges at home, school, and work feel like they will never be overcome. You likely know similar stories—perhaps your own—which closely resemble these.

My kids and I are temporarily providing a home for a child from another country. While we celebrate the excitement of all that is new for him (light switches, toilets, abundant food, a bed, school, medical care, toys, safety, etc.), we also grieve that this season of his life includes separation from loved ones, and special needs that cause an inability to understand his losses or communicate his needs.

As I reflect on all of this, I think we would do well to remember not, “’Tis the season,”
           but instead,
                    “’Tis ONLY a season.”  

For most, the Christmas rush is past. Soon, the New Year will begin, and 2019 will be behind us. The year ahead will have new opportunities for growth, change, improvement, new experiences and relationships, setting and meeting goals, and other answered prayers.

So, regardless of the season you find yourself in today, hang in there! Take it one day at a time. Hold onto hope. Choose joy! And know without a doubt, “’Tis ONLY a season!”

From this season, to the next, and through each one that follows, may you be blessed!

Laurel

As we celebrated Christmas this week, I was reflecting on the “season” that welcomed the baby Jesus. People were forced to travel from their homes (without air-conditioned SUV’s) to be counted by Caesar, with some unable to secure lodging when they arrived. Mary was in a season of an unplanned pregnancy as an unwed teen. Because of Herod’s jealousy, Jesus’ birth ushered in a season of infanticide throughout the area, with huge loss and mourning for countless families of male infants and toddlers. Jesus’ young family soon entered a season as refugees in Egypt while they waited to return to their home. While our nativity scenes paint the Christmas story with light, peace, and happiness, the reality is that the first Christmas season had multiple elements of darkness, fear, grief, and uncertainty.

In April, we will celebrate another season, as we anticipate the arrival of Easter. God’s beautiful plan includes light in place of darkness, joy that replaces mourning, faith which overcomes fear, forgiveness in place of condemnation. When we claim the baby Jesus as Christ, our risen Lord and Savior, we are assured that any challenging season we face here on earth, whatever it is, however long it lasts, is truly “ONLY a season.” Because of this, we can live each day experiencing joy alongside sadness, peace in the chaos, and hope even when we are unable to see when or how our current season will end. I call it, “God’s math.” I don’t understand it, but I’m incredibly grateful for it, as it has gotten me through every heartache, loss, fear, and uncertainty, and I know that He will be faithful through it all, each day that He gives me breath!

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (New Living Translation--NLT)
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
Galatians 6:9 English Standard Version (ESV)9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Don't give up friends...'Tis only a season! God has a plan and a purpose for each one of us!