December 2007

My spiritual walk continues to be a work in progress despite the fact that I am 55 years old. It shouldn’t be a surprise to me because I know that none of us will be “perfected” in this life, but I confess that when I was younger I thought I would be smarter, wiser, and more discerning than I am at this point. Actually, I thought I would have written a few best selling novels by now, too. Well – chalk that up to the optimism of youth!

I am fascinated by the way God continues to enlighten me and grateful that the learning process never ends. As young people I guess we all think we will know so much more when we are older. But as older people we begin to understand that the real joy is in the journey - the enlightenment - not in actually reaching the goal. So…I remain content to be sitting at the feet of the Master, forever His student and always learning.

This month that journey will no doubt draw me closer to Him while I face the sadness - and the elation - that the holidays will bring. I am so blessed to be surrounded by people I love. And yet…I ache for one who is not here. There are many conflicting emotions at work and it is something I am working through.

Christmas is a time to remember that God loves us so much he was willing to send His son to make the ultimate sacrifice in our stead. How easy it is to understand what a sacrifice that was when we are grieving for a loved one. This Christmas I will use my grief as a spiritual tool – a reminder that God’s sacrifice was made for me, an undeserving, middle-aged woman who still has not written her first novel or fulfilled her many other youthful fantasies. But a baby was sent to earth so long ago for me - and for you. Do you deserve it any more than I?

May the message of Christmas be especially meaningful for you this year, as it is for me. And may God’s love surround all of us – those who are grieving, those who are suffering physically, those who are lonely – and may it comfort us with the message of hope. Because hope is something we very much need in the world.

Have a very merry Christmas!

Until next month,
Barbara