This is the second post in a series about maintaining vitality and preventing burnout as a wife and mom on the mission field (click here to read the first part). In summary, although missionaries are vulnerable to burnout, we can intentionally and creatively maintain consistent rhythms and occasional breaks customized to our needs.
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness..." 2 Peter 1:3a
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
Strategy #1: A sacred start to the day
A consistent rhythm that helps me thrive is rising early. A few years ago, I shared about a "typical day" here in La Ceiba, including reasons for an early start to the day. These days, I find it more helpful than ever to spend about an hour to an hour and half (depending on when my kids wake up) alone.
A refreshing thunderstorm early this morning
First, I read the Bible passages for the day according to a Scripture reading plan. I focus my mind on truth I can meditate on throughout the day, and I love working toward the goal of reading through the Bible this year.
Next, I plan tasks for the day, such as meals or errands, and answer emails.
I find this time incredibly energizing for these reasons:
It's quiet and cool, and I'm alone!
The rest of the day flows well when I plan ahead, stay organized, and have a disciplined start.
I thrive on completing tasks in a focused, uninterrupted way, which doesn't usually happen the rest of the day. :)
Regardless of what the day brings, I can enjoy some sense of accomplishment.
This habit is like making a deposit in my energy/vitality account, a safe and consistent space to gain perspective on life, and a sacred time dedicated first and foremost to the Lord.
Strategy #2: Sabbath
To be honest, a weekly day of rest has never appealed to me very much! But in college God taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of observing a Sabbath.
I was a workaholic, double majoring and double minoring while playing flute in the music department, exercising, and socializing... as soon as I finished homework. ;) Spring quarter of my last year, I felt very convicted about not taking a day of rest, but I thought it would be impossible to keep my grades up and perform a concerto (solo accompanied by orchestra), among other year-end concerts. If I hadn't managed to take a day of rest previously, how could I pull it off now?
Performing with the university orchestra, a big highlight from college
I committed to abstain from homework, practicing, and exercising on Sundays, as much as possible. To my surprise, it was a success! God provided the time and more energy Monday through Saturday for academics and music, and I had more time for Him and for friends on Sundays!
Graduating from Western Washington University in 2003
Recently, I felt the familiar sense of conviction, as I brushed off the idea of Sabbath. After all, taking babies to church (babies and children stay with their parents during the service) and the daily tasks of taking care them just doesn't seem restful, so why try? However, I find that when I prepare ahead of time to keep chores to a bare minimum and simply take a step back, breathe, and enjoy a quieter day to focus on Him, God refreshes me both physically and spiritually -- and this benefits those around me, too, of course!
Obeying God first and foremost is foundational in fostering vitality and reducing the likelihood of burnout, regardless of how this actually pans out as seasons of life ebb and flow. I smile when I think of God's generosity, giving us gifts that draw us close to Him and refresh us: His Word, His presence, solitude, rain, rest, and memories of His faithfulness. I'm curious what you find helpful for maintaining spiritual vitality and would love to hear from you, either a comment or personal message. May we walk in obedience to the Holy Spirit's leading and receive the blessings God has prepared for us!
I'm reading through the Bible this year, currently in Proverbs, and Prov. 13:12 stood out to me:
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life."
God graciously fulfilled my desire to take Mr. J and Miss A to Washington State to spend some time with my family. When I thought about what to share on this blog, I decided it would be better to fit it in a series about maintaining vitality and preventing burnout as a woman on the mission field.*
Running a home and raising children in a context different from where we were raised ("rootlessness").
Dealing with infrastructure and safety issues, especially in the developing world.
As a result, having fewer opportunities outside of the house and experiencing consequent isolation.
Managing language and culture learning curves in friendship and fellowship.
This is not at all to say that missionary life is a drag or is unfulfilling! But I believe missionaries have the responsibility to intentionally maintain habits that nurture our walk with God, relationships, and general health (or sanity!) for the sake of our families, those we serve, and the gospel of Jesus. I find that consistent rhythms are essential, as well as occasional breaks from everyday life, such as a family visit in Washington.
One key is to recognize signs of culture fatigue or weariness. For me, this can look like:
Getting sick more often.
Feeling tired and irritable even after sleeping well and engaging in normally restful activities.
Having difficulty concentrating on what people say to me in conversation (in any language) and avoiding social settings.
Wanting to control minutiae, especially in my home environment, to feel peaceful and secure.
My goal is to minimize the source of these "symptoms" through wise choices, especially on a daily basis. This is why I love how our Creator God gives us freedom and creativity to pursue Him and enjoy His many gifts! Several habits I find helpful and refreshing include:
Getting up early to read the Bible.
Observing a weekly day of rest.
Communicating with close friends and mentors.
Keeping our home organized and pretty (to me).
Getting out of the house.
Taking trips back "home" to Washington.
Upcoming posts will discuss each of these more in depth. I'm happy this topic is being raised and widely shared in social media because awareness can strengthen relationships between missionaries and those who pray for them and support them from the home front. My hope is that those who pray for us will be encouraged by how God ministers to us through their love and kindness.
I love to read, even just a short chapter every few days when I have the chance. I recently read The Land Between, by Jeff Manion, which gleans insights from the Israelites' journey through the desert that apply to "finding God in difficult transitions" (subtitle). Manion divides the book into five sections: the Israelites' complaint, their meltdown, God's provision, God's discipline, and spiritual growth in dry, uncertain times.
In a nutshell, the author claims that the way believers respond can radically determine their future: "your response to hardship may have a greater impact in shaping who you become than the hardship itself" (p. 46, emphasis mine). The "Land Between" is fertile ground for either bitterness or deep spiritual transformation, and the choice is ours.
What I liked about this book:
It's easy to read and remember with vivid descriptions of biblical passages and real-life examples.
The author has a good sense of humor. For example, he ate the same type of power bar for all meals three days straight to get an inkling of what eating manna was like!
It speaks to readers from many different life stages and situations.
Readers are challenged to face sinful tendencies, such as complaint or resentment, and, by God's grace, choose a better response to their current circumstances.
How does it relate to missions?
While this book is not specifically addressed to missionaries, but rather to believers in the U.S., it does address issues pertinent to overseas ministry.
Most missionaries at some point find themselves in dry, uncertain stretches, especially when they are becoming established in a particular country or ministry. Like the Israelites, they might wonder if they really signed up for what they find themselves doing and experiencing when reality clashes with former expectations or suppositions.
At times, it's easy to question if the effort and sacrifice are worth it, and it's all too easy to blame oneself or others when tangible results appear scarce. Sometimes the day-to-day, time-consuming details -- repairing things that break, long lines at the bank or grocery store, using purified water instead of tap water for cooking -- seem like manna, not like a Mt. Sinai mountain top experience.
As Manion says, we have tremendous opportunity either to grow frustrated and bitter or to trust in God's sovereignty and receive what He has to give each day.
How does it relate to motherhood?
Most of us young moms have heard that "the days are long but the years are short"; the daily responsibilities of caring for young children feel endless, but someday we will tell other young mothers to soak up those moments with their kids while they can.
I think it's easy for women to give of themselves until they feel dry and gradually, maybe imperceptably, grow resentful and exhausted. This book was a reminder to me that my attitude while caring for my family day has far-reaching implications for the future.
Someday I want to look back on these tiring but very precious years and know I trusted and received God's provision for all my needs, and, by His grace, reap a great harvest from consistent faithfulness and gratitude.
Conclusión
The Land Between can serve as a kind of "desert roadmap," whether journeying through what feels like a painful, unforeseen detour, or whether trudging through a dry, tedious stretch of life. It reminds us of our spiritual heritage: the mistakes others made that we can avoid; God's provision for His servants; an eternal perspective as we anticipate the heavenly Promised Land. I'm sure all of us benefit from these reminders, whether on the mission field or wherever we call home, and in whatever time of life we find ourselves.
This post is a peek out our front window, where what comes by might look different from in your neighborhood, and what on earth this has to do with ministry.
I played undercover detective, trying to take pictures and videos without showing people's faces or letting them know they were being filmed! (Below is a video where I got caught!)
We live in a very middle-class neighborhood by Honduran standards. It's packed full of cement block/concrete plaster homes with metal roofs (i.e., it's hot and noisy), and there are guards at the entrance. It's nice enough to be safe and not too nice to draw attention to ourselves; I am the only gringa resident so far.
You know it's hot when this is what a stick of butter looks like.
Activities start early in the tropics (click here for a blog series about a "typical day"). By 6:00 A.M., big vans called busitos pick up kids for school. Although Honduras has public schools, families do whatever they can to send their kids to the multiple private and/or bilingual schools for a better education. Public schools do not offer bus service to students. Many families pay for a busito to take their kids to and from private school each day. They herald their arrival by honking (the effect on light-sleeping toddlers merits a separate post).
A busito bright and early
Meanwhile, neighbors also leave for work. Those who don't have cars can either 1) go to the neighborhood taxi stop to take a colectivo, which has a lower fare and a general route taken by all the passengers, or 2) walk 10-15 minutes to the highway to wait for a public bus.
While many residents are leaving, construction workers are arriving. Homes continue to be built and sold in this area, including one house right down the street from us right now. Workers begin at about 7:00 A.M., rain or shine. Manual labor is essential since heavy machinery is scarce.
At any point in time, one of the security guards, called wachis (for 'watchman'), might walk or bike by our house as they patrol our neighborhood street-by-street. You'd see them carrying a gun and maybe listening to music or texting on their cell phone at the same time. In spite of having guards, multiple houses have been broken into (once again, that's a topic for another post!). The wachis are friendly and have even been kind enough to let me know why the power or water might be out, if they know!
Speaking of water, tap water is unsafe for drinking and cooking. Purified water may be bought at the corner store but is most conveniently purchased from vendors that pass by daily in large trucks. Usually one young man walks down the street calling out the brand of water being sold (my personal favorite is Pingüino, for 'penguin,' because anything cold sounds refreshing :) ) so that residents can be prepared when the truck comes by. It costs about $1 to exchange an empty jug for a full one. Mr. J could easily help the vendors out since he is a pro in yelling, "¡Agua, agua!"
Most people cook with gas stoves: it's cheaper than electric, and you can still cook when the power is out. If your gas tank (chimbo) goes out (fyi, in my experience, it usually goes out before you have people over for lunch), you can either get one at the corner store or call a gas company to send someone on a motorcycle and exchange a full tank for your empty one. It's kind of like pizza delivery. The motorcyclist honks loudly as he comes down the street so that the buyer knows he's there.
For the most part, other vendors are not allowed in the neighborhood. Before the guards were hired, people came by selling brooms and cleaning supplies, bread, pots and pans, and other articles. But now the only regular vendor sells guineos, green bananas, which are prepared boiled as a filler for lunch or fried in slices for dinner. Since we never buy guineos, I reasoned I could get a great video without being detected; why would the vendor/driver look my way? I was wrong!! Here's how that played out:
Garbage pick-up is provided free by the city government. You never know what day or what time the garbage truck will come by, but you can hear the specific honk of the truck when it enters the neighborhood, alerting you to haul your garbage out to the curb. This happened yesterday at 6:30 A.M. Happily, my family members slept right through it (whew!).
As for animals, there are dogs and cats who roam the neighborhood, and prior to the guards' installment, some farmers used to herd their cattle right by our house; apparently, the neighborhood was built where they used to transfer their herds between grazing areas.
Given the warm climate and fairly open culture here, people often go out in the late afternoon. Just on our street, there are Latino, Garífuna, and islander kids of different ages. Mr. J likes to run around with them when they're all out at the same time. Sometimes they kids like to come to gate to see him or come in to play, especially if they know we have oranges, watermelon, or bananas on hand. :)
So what does this list have to do with ministry? Looking out our window, I see many needs and opportunities, including:
1) Family Influence
Only one of kids we know on our street lives with both of his parents. In fact, two little ones are in the care of their aunt since their mothers immigrated to the U.S. It's clear that some of the children are well-loved and cared for, while others are lonely, and most are friendly and love to talk. By giving them a piece of fruit, looking in their eyes, smiling, addressing them by name, we can communicate God's love to them in a simple way. When we go out to walk together as a family, when Fernando hugs and kisses us when he gets home, they can see that there are loving, committed fathers and, over time, understand that God is a loving Father. Many are still too young to care about language, racial, and cultural boundaries; by being kind to everyone, we can set an example for our kids and develop relationships, or at least goodwill, among our neighbors.
2) Education
When I observe how difficult it can be for people to earn a living, particularly those whose trade is in manual labor, I think of how important access to education is, particularly for young people, including those who would not dream of studying at a higher level. It reminds me of a young man who works with Fernando. He thought he would become a mechanic but now isthe first in his family to work toward a college degree and is thriving in his studies (in his second language!). I am happy that Fernando can be involved in providing studies, training, and preparation for people who might not have access to it otherwise.
3) Violence and Insecurity
When I see the wachis come by, I am reminded of the toll that violence and crime take on a country and its people (it's easy to grow numb to that because it's "normal" to us). Beyond the more obvious physical needs, there is a desperate need for integrity, fear of the Lord, and courage. When I see how God is shaping young men's lives through mentoring, the opportunity to serve others, and accountability, I hope that many more young people can be reached. I think of those who have been robbed at gunpoint but who refuse to participate in crime, even in the midst of financial need. There is opportunity to help young people walk in a direction that not only benefits their individual lives but also the future of society.
In conclusion, some of the sights and sounds outside our window can be entertaining (or, at times, annoying!), but they point to the deeper reality of what God has called us to be as a family and do as His servants. Please pray that He will help us glorify Him as we interact with others and carry out projects here, that His kingdom would come here where we live as it is in heaven (Mt. 6:10), and that we would "shine like stars" (Phil. 2:15).
You're "invited" to a Honduran church service by means of this blog post. As one family of believers -- body, building, bride, and other metaphors -- there are many members and many forms of worship. Here is a glimpse of how people here gather to worship and hear the Word taught. It would be inappropriate for me to actually take pictures during a service, so I hope this description paints a clear picture.
By means of introduction, in September Fernando was asked to assume temporary leadership in a church whose pastor had had to relocate. This congregation, in a community about 20 minutes east of La Ceiba, had been without a pastor for two years and greatly desired a leader. Fernando had previously served with a pastor friend at his church in La Ceiba but felt his help was no longer needed. In the past few months, he has really enjoyed getting to know this group of believers, preaching on Sundays and facilitating small groups, children's and youth outreach events, and leadership training.
Because the church met on Sunday evenings and Fernando would usually arrive home late, I hadn't gone with our two kids. But now that they meet on Sunday mornings we can go as a family.
If you hopped in the car with us and came along, we would take you to this community, turning off the highway toward the ocean and onto a dirt road toward a small concrete building. We would pass by children playing and animals, such as chickens and pigs. Getting out of the car, you'd have to watch your step because rainy season creates puddles and mud in the sandy ground, and you'd have to step onto concrete blocks and some wood planks onto the bare concrete floor of the church.
You would hear worship music playing in Spanish and Garífuna, and you would be greeted with a handshake at the door. You would see handmade decorations hanging from the wood rafters of a metal roof, feel the welcome breeze from a few fans high on the wall, and take a seat on one of the plastic chairs. You would probably see people kneeling to pray, preparing their hearts for the service, either at their seats or at the platform, where a glass podium, sound system, instruments, and decorative back curtain are located. Open windows would allow you to see people walking by outside, going about their daily activities. People of all ages would trickle in, even after the service officially starts, often greeting each other with handshakes or, between women, the cheek-to-cheek air kiss typical in Latin America.
If you're a man, you'd be wearing nice slacks and a dress shirt, or a polo shirt if you're a young adult or teenager. If you're a woman, you'd want to wear a skirt or dress knee-length or lower. In Honduras, dressing semi-formally is considered important, especially for those who are in front leading worship, giving announcements, or preaching. If you brought your baby or came along with Miss A, women would ask to hold him or her; babies are more than welcome in church gatherings, and other women are always more than happy to hold them.
The service is usually held 9:00-10:15, but starting and ending times are somewhat flexible; people are more focused on the event of the moment than following a firm schedule. After an opening prayer and Scripture reading, worship would begin, and the motto seems to be, "the louder the better." Instead of projecting lyrics on a screen, songs are learned through repetition and, especially in Garífuna, call and response style. Instruments usually include Garífuna drums and rattles, sometimes a drum set, a piano, and sometimes guitar. Raising hands and swaying to the music is common (Mr. J really likes participating in this way!). After the announcements and offering, you'd see Fernando step to the front to give the message.
Fernando preaching (several years ago)
In this community, like others located close to larger cities, Garífuna is still used but is becoming gradually eclipsed by Spanish. Fernando preaches in Spanish so that everyone can understand, but he speaks Garífuna when preaching in more rural areas. People often respond to sermons by calling out, "Amen!" and sometimes clapping. You'd hear very soft piano music in the background during the sermon. Fernando has appreciated the spiritual hunger and openness of this particular group of believers, who give their full attention the duration of the sermon.
After the final prayer, people talk and shake hands before leaving. We, like they, would return home to eat the main meal of the day around noon and rest a bit during the afternoon.
Holding hands on the way to church
Before finishing this post, I have to share about going to church with my parents on a visit to Washington. Right before the service started, there was a countdown (minutes and seconds) on the screen. When someone in front began literally right at the start time, I had a laughing attack. (This is called "reverse culture shock.") How good to know that with different customs and approaches to worship we serve the same God and are the same family!
One of my favorite features of the Garífuna language is what linguists call "evidentiality," which indicates that information is reported but not witnessed first-hand. In Garífuna, nege ("neh-geh") is added to a word or phrase.
láhuyahuba nege
it.will.rain evidential
'they say it will rain'
chülügietu nege lúguchu
she.arrived.early evidential his.mother
'they say his mother arrived early'
Sometimes Garífuna speakers add nege to utterances in Spanish:
él quiere trabajar en Tegucigalpa nege
he wants to.work in Tegucigalpa evidential
'supposedly he wants to work in Tegucigalpa'
A common characteristic of Amerindian languages, some languages have specific distinctions of how information was received: sight, sound, common knowledge, etc. (Here is an article on how one Arawakan language does this.)
So what in the world does this have to do with being a "missionary wife"? In a nutshell, these days I find myself adding nege to ideas about missions and to information about our ministry work. I am not directly involved, and this has been a big change for me. What has led to less direct involvement in hands-on ministry, and is this a good thing or not?
A Winding Road
The start: A kindergarten Sunday school class about missions sparked my interest, and at age six I felt led to become a missionary in another country.
Going to church with my grandpa at that age
Rekindling the flame: In college my dream of learning Spanish came true, and involvement in a campus ministry group revived that initial spark from when I was little.
Testing it out: Wanting a "trial by fire," I spent one year in Colombia in a missions school with outreaches, immersed in Spanish and surrounded by Latinos who loved Jesus. (I still really miss Colombia!) I wondered if I would stay single, so I focused on my relationship with God and what I felt He was calling me to do.
Outreach trip to Panama
Unexpected outcome: After preparation to be a Bible translator in Mexico, I ended up working in linguistics training for Spanish speakers and other support roles. I traveled, lived with other single girls and with families, and discovered I did best in academics, encouraging others, and administrative helps.
Linguistics students
Marriage and a new culture: I married Fernando! My focus became learning a third language and adjusting to a third culture (Garífuna), supporting his work in theological training, and helping out at our local church.
Becoming a mom: I knew that I ever had children I would want to spend their early years at home with them, and He has allowed me to do that with Mr. J and Baby A, while still helping Fernando with adminstrative tasks and learning how to take care of a house in this part of the world.
Contrasts
As a single, my focus was outward, and I was very social. In my 20s, God allowed me to meet many kinds of people in very diverse places, participating in a wide variety of activities. A decade later, He has directed my attention to those closest to me and to the everyday tasks of our home.
The assistant chef
Official "ministry" looks like emails, online banking, and newsletters, while unofficial "ministry" is playing peek-a-boo, giving a cup of water to the garbage collectors, and showing kindness to our neighbors of all backgrounds (even if they don't always interact among each other).
In the meantime, Fernando has led people to Christ (nege), visits people grieving lost loved ones or caring for relatives in hospitals (nege), and preaches and teaches several times a week (nege), among many other wonderful things (nege).
The Final Word
Opinions abound when it comes to women's roles in family and ministry, either as a "pastor's wife" or "missionary wife." (I'm not opening that can of worms on this blog!) Here is what I do know:
God gave me the desire and opportunity to serve in missions in Latin America; this is part of who I am and always will be, regardless of the specific tasks I do or the corresponding titles.
I love being her mommy!
God has graciously blessed me in different seasons, each with their purposes and characteristics -- as a young single, newlywed, and now a mom of little ones -- and He is preparing what is yet to come.
It’s
all about His glory and His will being done on earth as it is in heaven; my joy is being faithful to whatever He calls me to and cheering
on others as they do the same, without competition or comparison.
Much more could be said, but the main point is that I have peace
about what God has called me to do now and want to live it to the fullest. I
don’t need to be directly involved to praise Him for what He is doing beyond my
current scope of ministry. I am happy hearing Fernando tell me about what he is
doing (nege), and I wouldn’t change
where He has me now, deeply investing in those closest to me. I also am
looking forward to what He has prepared for the future and know that
faithfulness in the present everyday details will directly affect whatever lies ahead.
Praise
God for being our unchanging Rock (Is. 26:4), for being the Father who rewards what His
children do in secret (Mt. 6:4, 6, 18), and for including even imperfect and limited people in
His plan (1 Cor. 3:6-9)!
We spent Christmas and New Year's in La Ceiba, as our village house isn't quite ready for a toddler and baby. (Here is a post about what holiday celebrations are like in rural Garífuna communities.) Although many people prefer to travel to their home communities instead of staying in the city, we still had a fun time as a family (Part 1), and we now realize God had a plan for Fernando to be here (Part 2 below).
Part 1: Enjoying the Holidays
Many Hondurans decorate for Christmas, stringing lights on their roofs and winding them around palm trees. Garlands and trees with artificial flowers and pinecones, lights, and ornaments, are common, as well as snowmen, reindeer, and other symbols. With such a hot year, it made the north pole feel a tiny bit closer!
Our toddller-friendly wreath
Christmas music plays in stores, including carols and songs familiar to us but in Spanish, and also typical upbeat Latino carols. You can hear one about how the fish in the river drink water when they see baby Jesus is born and the burrito (donkey) who traveled to Bethlehem. (These two get stuck in my head whenever I go to the grocery store during the Christmas season.)
Honduran women spend Christmas Eve (La Noche Buena) in the kitchen, preparing tamales, arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), roasted meats, and cakes and breads. Families stay up until midnight eating the food and setting off fireworks. People sleep in on Christmas Day and then visit and share food with family, friends, and neighbors. We were given some delicious dishes from both Garífuna and Latino friends and neighbors.
Check out the Christmas lights on this taxi. Sadly, I didn't have the camera when a car with antlers went by.
New Year's is considered the most important holiday of the year, and the exodus from urban to rural areas increases. Like Christmas, women prepare food and families await midnight to set off fireworks and celebrate the start of the year... and then spend New Year's Day recovering!
Although we missed the more colorful traditions of Garífuna communities, and especially spending time with family, I made my mom's Christmas Day coffee cake and some cookies (which had to be refrigerated so they wouldn't melt), and my Christmas "gifts" were the extra quiet and increased water pressure due to an emptier neighborhood. :)
Having fun together over the holidays
Part 2: Joining Others in Suffering
We saw how God allowed Fernando to be in La Ceiba to minister in two difficult situations. The first occurred near the village the day after Christmas. A relative got stuck crossing the sandbar in the early morning hours, the common time to begin the long trip to the nearest city. Some other travelers stopped to pull the stalled pick-up across and, tragically, were mistaken for drug traffickers by a military group, who opened fire and killed one young man.
No drugs or weapons were found on anybody or in any vehicle. Another man, about 20 years of age, was wounded and transferred to a hospital in La Ceiba, where he passed away. Fernando joined the family and others from their home community at the morgue as they prepared to take the body back to the village for burial. (A big thank you to our supporters, who enable us to help with such expenses in these situations.)
It is impossible to live here without knowing people who have lost their lives or been affected by drug trafficking and violence -- hardworking people going about their everyday lives in their communities. I have become used to Fernando occasionally going to wakes late at night, and I recognize by the tone of his voice when he receives a phone call with bad news. But this incident was a shock, since we have traveled in that location at that hour.
Several days later, Fernando found out that a friend and fairly new believer was hospitalized for a blood condition he has had for several years (doctors think it's leukemia). Fernando visited him each day, reading Scripture to him, praying with him, and listening to him share his heart. He is now home with his wife and two young children, and we continue to pray for his healing and for strength, peace, and hope in the Lord.
Praise God for sending His Son, Emmanuel, God with us in both celebrations and in tragedies, who saves us from our sin and provides an eternal home for His children. Even as we enjoy holiday food and time with family and friends, how good it is to know that the wedding banquet and eternal life are promised to us. May He use us to bring His hope of justice and restoration and His light to darkness in this new year.
