The Christmas Letter
Like many of you, I have been trying to decide how to handle Christmas cards this year with my prodigal away in the far country. Do I just put our last name? Do I put a picture of only the children? Will my card bring joy to the reader or sadness? I prayed about it and finally decided to make my card a call to prayer. I have a dear friend who volunteered to take pictures of me and the kids. The only way I was going to send a picture card without my dear husband in it, was if it was partnered with a letter asking my friends and family to keep praying. Below is the letter God helped me write this year. I pray that God will clearly direct you this Christmas season to know how to handle this difficult time, but most of all I pray you don't quit watching for a miracle from the One who sent His Son for each of us.
Dear Family and Friends,
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. If Charles Dickens hadn’t already written this, I’m pretty sure I would have thought of it myself. My Christmas card list is not quite as long this year. I am sending this to the people who have walked with us through the hardest year of our lives. You have encouraged us, prayed for us, ministered to us, provided for us, and you have been the hands of Jesus when we needed it the most. But this is not a card of pity and woe, but a card of hope and redemption.
As Christmas draws near, and we read the story of the coming of the Messiah, I see a virgin girl who is asked to believe that what is coming from the Lord is for her best. An angel came to Mary and said she was favored by God and would carry a Son that she would name Jesus. I have always thought of this as an amazing honor to be chosen to carry the Son of God, and it is, but then I think about what also came with this assignment. Mary faced the reality that many would not believe her when she says she is a virgin who is with child. I often wonder about all she must have gone through. Was she afraid? Embarrassed? Confused? Overwhelmed? But she simply responds in Luke Chapter 1 (KJV) by saying to the angel, “May it be to me as you have said.â€
Now I am certainly not comparing myself to Mary, but I have been inspired by her obedience and submission to the Lord’s call on her life. The truth is that God has allowed my husband to leave, and He has asked me to trust in Him. Very early on, God gave me Isaiah 54 to show me that He is my husband, for this season, and He will meet my every need. And He has! This year has been filled with miracles that I have only read about in stories. Unbelievable God moments that are almost too big to be believed. God has taken this home and wrapped His loving arms around us and provided for each and every need before we even knew what was needed. He provided through many of you, and we are so very thankful. I am learning that receiving is not about getting something, but about allowing God to work in someone’s life and giving them the opportunity to respond. I still struggle with this and my heart’s desire is that I am able to give back a hundred times over for the love that has been shown to us. I am amazed by God and sense Him in a way that I have never known, and this the best of times for us.
Our worst of times comes in missing the husband and father we had for so long. The fun-loving guy we love has become like the prodigal who left his home in search of something more. We are all just a decision away from becoming just like the prodigal. Unless we cling to the grace and love of God, we will lose our way. Our prayer this year is that the prodigal returns. And just like the father was looking for his prodigal son, we are looking for our prodigal to come home as well. The closet space and drawers are waiting to be filled again. Our hearts are full of love for the missing piece of our family that can’t hear God’s loving voice calling him home. I pray that as you receive our Christmas card that first you see a family that is being carried by the strong arms of the Lord and that this brings you joy. Then I ask that you pray for the missing person in our picture. I pray you will place this picture somewhere that will remind you to pray that the empty space is filled again with our prodigal.
I refuse to let the enemy have victory in our home, so I won’t give up, back down, or give in to defeat. To give up means that I believe there is something God can’t do, and I know that is a lie. Nothing is impossible for God! So join us sweet friends as we walk in victory into 2014. Pray that next year’s card looks very different than this one, and that our God will receive all the glory when He sends another miracle our way. We love you all and wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
“And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.†And Mary said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.†Luke 1:45-47 (KJV)
Walking in victory in Georgia,
Erika
Like many of you, I have been trying to decide how to handle Christmas cards this year with my prodigal away in the far country. Do I just put our last name? Do I put a picture of only the children? Will my card bring joy to the reader or sadness? I prayed about it and finally decided to make my card a call to prayer. I have a dear friend who volunteered to take pictures of me and the kids. The only way I was going to send a picture card without my dear husband in it, was if it was partnered with a letter asking my friends and family to keep praying. Below is the letter God helped me write this year. I pray that God will clearly direct you this Christmas season to know how to handle this difficult time, but most of all I pray you don't quit watching for a miracle from the One who sent His Son for each of us.
Dear Family and Friends,
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. If Charles Dickens hadn’t already written this, I’m pretty sure I would have thought of it myself. My Christmas card list is not quite as long this year. I am sending this to the people who have walked with us through the hardest year of our lives. You have encouraged us, prayed for us, ministered to us, provided for us, and you have been the hands of Jesus when we needed it the most. But this is not a card of pity and woe, but a card of hope and redemption.
As Christmas draws near, and we read the story of the coming of the Messiah, I see a virgin girl who is asked to believe that what is coming from the Lord is for her best. An angel came to Mary and said she was favored by God and would carry a Son that she would name Jesus. I have always thought of this as an amazing honor to be chosen to carry the Son of God, and it is, but then I think about what also came with this assignment. Mary faced the reality that many would not believe her when she says she is a virgin who is with child. I often wonder about all she must have gone through. Was she afraid? Embarrassed? Confused? Overwhelmed? But she simply responds in Luke Chapter 1 (KJV) by saying to the angel, “May it be to me as you have said.â€
Now I am certainly not comparing myself to Mary, but I have been inspired by her obedience and submission to the Lord’s call on her life. The truth is that God has allowed my husband to leave, and He has asked me to trust in Him. Very early on, God gave me Isaiah 54 to show me that He is my husband, for this season, and He will meet my every need. And He has! This year has been filled with miracles that I have only read about in stories. Unbelievable God moments that are almost too big to be believed. God has taken this home and wrapped His loving arms around us and provided for each and every need before we even knew what was needed. He provided through many of you, and we are so very thankful. I am learning that receiving is not about getting something, but about allowing God to work in someone’s life and giving them the opportunity to respond. I still struggle with this and my heart’s desire is that I am able to give back a hundred times over for the love that has been shown to us. I am amazed by God and sense Him in a way that I have never known, and this the best of times for us.
Our worst of times comes in missing the husband and father we had for so long. The fun-loving guy we love has become like the prodigal who left his home in search of something more. We are all just a decision away from becoming just like the prodigal. Unless we cling to the grace and love of God, we will lose our way. Our prayer this year is that the prodigal returns. And just like the father was looking for his prodigal son, we are looking for our prodigal to come home as well. The closet space and drawers are waiting to be filled again. Our hearts are full of love for the missing piece of our family that can’t hear God’s loving voice calling him home. I pray that as you receive our Christmas card that first you see a family that is being carried by the strong arms of the Lord and that this brings you joy. Then I ask that you pray for the missing person in our picture. I pray you will place this picture somewhere that will remind you to pray that the empty space is filled again with our prodigal.
I refuse to let the enemy have victory in our home, so I won’t give up, back down, or give in to defeat. To give up means that I believe there is something God can’t do, and I know that is a lie. Nothing is impossible for God! So join us sweet friends as we walk in victory into 2014. Pray that next year’s card looks very different than this one, and that our God will receive all the glory when He sends another miracle our way. We love you all and wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
“And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.†And Mary said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.†Luke 1:45-47 (KJV)
Walking in victory in Georgia,
Erika
