Not A Typical Christmas Sentiment
Lamentations 3:19-22
I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
This week I read from Dr. Charles Stanley’s July daily devotional, “Thankfully, the gift of pardon is not something we have to manufacture ourselves. This present is wrapped in the love of God and tied with the red ribbon of Christ’s sacrifice.”
I can understand, and accept for myself the need for justification when someone has wronged me. A “price” has to be paid, an apology at the very least, restitution even better. My time, my reputation, and my beliefs, more to the point and truth: my pride, my sense of self have been offended.
I have a hard time accepting this same standard from God.
He needs to just love me and forgive me…move on already.
I’ll say I’m sorry but evidently I don’t mean it, I’m not sorry enough to quit because I do it again, and again. A helpless, hopeless cycle.
Then in comes Christmas…a baby wrapped in the red ribbon of Christ’s sacrifice.
Because of the Lord’s great Love we are not consumed…
It is here, at Christmas, I can look back, remember, and have hope…
for today
for tomorrow
for eternity
** Merry Christmas my friends. May God bless you richly with the knowledge of His presence today. May your day be filled with the Peace only Christ can bring. Always~ Mia Bella
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