A Coat for my Father
My mother often said that the older we get, the faster time seems to pass. As a young mother juggling three little boys, my days were a whirlwind of school drop-offs, sports practices, and endless activities. By night, I would collapse into bed, already mentally preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.
"Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means "the stone of help"), for he said, "Up to this point the Lord has helped us!"
1 Samuel 7:12 NLT
Today, our sons are grown and raising families of their own.
I spend a lot of time pondering my life and the countless times the Lord has worked on our behalf. We've experienced healing, provision, divine protection, and much more.
But I also remember the darker days —times of loneliness when no friend was in sight. Standing in broad daylight, yet encompassed in a dark heaviness that left me barely able to stand. Seeming trapped with no way out. I was empty.
I've never been great at verbal communication; the words in my mind never seem to translate well through my mouth.
At an early age, I discovered the wonder of music. Songs' lyrics often perfectly articulated the ever-changing emotions of my soul.
When I entered into a personal relationship with Jesus, I fully understood the power of music. The story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 16:23 resonated deeply with me: when David played his harp, the evil spirit tormenting Saul had to leave him.
"So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees;" Hebrews 12:12 NLT
In the grip of despair, I always knew where to turn. One breath away was a Heavenly Father, ready and waiting for me to call on Him. In those moments, I turned on my Christian music playlist. Tears streaming down my face, I began to worship.
"Abba, Father—Daddy—my strength is gone, but I choose to believe your Word. What's left within me isn't much, but I'm giving my all to you. I lay at your feet this heavy, broken, tear-stained burden I've been carrying.
I am done. I am Yours."
I lifted my hands and sang until my voice was completely gone.
As I worshipped, the heaviness lifted. The darkness gave way to the light of His presence.
Jesus, my Savior and Friend, met me there.
I laid down the battered, threadbare cloths of my life and exchanged them for His glorious garment of grace.
Life didn't change overnight, but I found the strength to face another day. And each night, I could fall asleep whispering, "Thank You, Lord; I'm one day closer."
"...they trusted, and You rescued them. They cried to You and were set free; they trusted in You and were not disgraced." Psalm 22:4-5 HCSB
Christmas is known as a season of joy—a celebration of the birth of our Savior, King Jesus. Laughter, love, and compassion increase during that time of year. But our enemy works hard to steal that joy. He reminds us of unanswered prayers, unfulfilled dreams, and the loved ones no longer with us. His aim is to overwhelm us with grief and despair.
Yet, by His design, I am convinced that God gives us night and day and the gift of a new year—a chance to leave behind heartaches and mistakes and begin again.
"To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."
Isaiah 61:3 NKJV
Wherever your heart is this season, my friends, remember the promise given to us over two thousand years ago. Our loving, all-powerful God saw this very moment in your life and had a plan. He is as close as your next breath.
So, breathe out a sacrifice of praise today... you will be astonished at what He will do with it.