by Joanne Wiklund
When I kicked back on the couch the other night, I thought about Christmas Eve and the angels that appeared to the shepherds out in the fields near Bethlehem. I know, I know. I thought the heat had gotten to me. Then it was gone and I moved on. But yesterday I was in need of comfort and that scenario came back to me. Only after I had thought about a little boy who was crying.
I don’t know who he was. Through the years I’ve taken care of lots of little boys. I remember this child, his face only, wet with tears streaming, his eyes closed. My hands were pressed against his little cheeks, and my face was close to his. I could hear myself saying, “Look at me. Please, look at me.” I pleaded with him. He opened his little eyes, and I made myself smile at him. “It’s gonna be alright. You’re okay, it’s not your fault. I’m not mad at you.”
So amazing is our recall of situations like that. When we’ve been the crying one, in need of comfort, encouragement and love. We don’t always get that right away, but it’s there, waiting for us, deep in our heart. That’s where the shepherds and the angels come in. Remember, “We bring you comfort and joy.” It’s there, we just have to choose to accept it. When we accept Jesus, comfort and joy will be readily available.
Joy is the key. Joy in the midst of sorrow. Joy at answered prayer. Joy when we think back at all the times God was there for us, when we were surprised until we thought of how He planned ahead to make things work out His way, instead of the way we were dreading. God is good, and we need to keep reminding ourselves that His plans are so much better than ours. His perspective is so much broader than ours. He is our God and He loves us. We need to open our eyes and look at Him.
Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight , and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand at the throne of God.”
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”