It is said that God always answers our prayers - the answer is either Yes, No or Not Yet. But when the answer obviously isn't Yes and no other answer seems to come, how do you interpret the silence? What do you do when the silence lasts for days, weeks and even years?
I don't know the answer. Jesus told the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-3) to teach the disciples that they should always pray and not give up. But what if the answer is "No" and I'm simply behaving like a 4 yr old who keeps asking for ice cream for breakfast even after Mom said "No." Do I keep praying as if it would change God's mind?
I'm very disappointed and confused. It was almost a full year ago that Satan fed me the lie that God answers everyone else's prayers but mine and therefore must love them more than me. I knew/know it to be a lie, but sometimes it feels so true. God does answer my prayers - I have a very partial list to show when He has - but there are a few outstanding for which I'd welcome some resolution. For now, I will quit asking. I'm just tired.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Everyday Christmas
In our marriage, we decided early on that the fairest way to do holidays with our families was to alternate years spent with each family at Christmas and Thanksgiving. Because of this, sometimes "Christmas" isn't held until late January with the other side of the family. This inevitably leads to some degree of disappointment about not being all together on the 25th of December.
I admit there is something special about The Day. The anticipation that builds to a crescendo right up until the moment Lil' Bit opens her first present is undeniable. The perfect storm that occurs with hubby's family is a sight to be seen - it's a veritable free-for-all where gifts are opened as quickly as they're passed out, with paper and bows everywhere and clean up involving many garden-size garbage bags. On the other side of the spectrum is Christmas Day with my family. Opening gifts takes hours as gifts are opened one at a time and oohed and aahed by all present. Both traditions are special and fun in their own way.
Beyond the fun, I must remember that Christmas exists to remember the birth of Christ, the moment the Creator of the universe came to live among us. Talk about "Shazaam!" Perhaps an even more amazing thing is that Christ is here an Earth even now. Colossians 1:27 says, "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (emphasis mine). Jesus lives in us, those who have believed His words and accepted His gift of redemption. I cannot even begin to understand it, but it's true.
To me, that means that Christmas comes every day. What gifts can we give to our friends and family on Christmas Day, May 3rd? How about a little grace when they hurt our feelings. What about Christmas Day, November 14? Give them a kind word when they're feeling sad.
I'll miss my family on December 25th, but I know that Christmas comes in January, too.
I admit there is something special about The Day. The anticipation that builds to a crescendo right up until the moment Lil' Bit opens her first present is undeniable. The perfect storm that occurs with hubby's family is a sight to be seen - it's a veritable free-for-all where gifts are opened as quickly as they're passed out, with paper and bows everywhere and clean up involving many garden-size garbage bags. On the other side of the spectrum is Christmas Day with my family. Opening gifts takes hours as gifts are opened one at a time and oohed and aahed by all present. Both traditions are special and fun in their own way.
Beyond the fun, I must remember that Christmas exists to remember the birth of Christ, the moment the Creator of the universe came to live among us. Talk about "Shazaam!" Perhaps an even more amazing thing is that Christ is here an Earth even now. Colossians 1:27 says, "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (emphasis mine). Jesus lives in us, those who have believed His words and accepted His gift of redemption. I cannot even begin to understand it, but it's true.
To me, that means that Christmas comes every day. What gifts can we give to our friends and family on Christmas Day, May 3rd? How about a little grace when they hurt our feelings. What about Christmas Day, November 14? Give them a kind word when they're feeling sad.
I'll miss my family on December 25th, but I know that Christmas comes in January, too.
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