| | getting back up and looking forward. December 27, 2007
I woke up feeling utterly miserable on Christmas Eve, barely surviving the shopping errands we had to run in the morning. When we came home, I checked my temperature, and it was up to 101.7. Later that night, I had gotten up to almost 104. So I kicked off Christmas with a trip to the ER, where I was told I have pharyngitis. (Such inflammation causes these fevers sometimes. I learned something!) I spent the rest of the day in bed, my body temperature fluctuating, no appetite whatsoever, my nose running, my body aching all over, my throat KILLING me, and wishing my head would explode already so I'd be out of my misery. On top of that, I had a medication schedule to follow-- four medicines, each at overlapping four-hour intervals. AND I was all alone in the house.
How was my Christmas? Well, I've had better...
There was the temptation to complain and whine about why this happened to me, naturally. But a thought kept reoccuring to me-- the meaning of Christmas doesn't change.
And 'twas such a profound truth. Whether your Christmas was like that picturesque family huddle around the tree, or if wasn't exactly ideal... the meaning doesn't change. It's politically correct to say, "It's about giving and spending time with family." (And some will add "Santa" to that list.) But no, the raw truth is that the day is about remembering the birth of the man who came to save us from our sins, and transform our lives. We can give and spend time with family at any time of the year. (And don't get me started on Santa. *shudders*)
In the past few years, I've made it a point to pray about God's plan for the new year. And last year, He showed me that 2007 would be difficult. And it has been. But I'm also coming away from it having grown, having been challenged, having discovered who my family is, and realizing, for the millionth time, that God is in control. And He loves me. So I'm looking forward to a brighter new year, Lord willing.
"We love because He first loved us."
1 John 4:19
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33 |
| | Posted 12/27/2007 11:13 PM - 121 Views - 2 eProps - 2 comments
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