The Holidays are a time of remembrance. That often means they are a time of regrets over opportunities lost and of what might have been. A time of seeing how our own faults and flaws, and the pain and sadness within our own lives, has affected us and limited us. We are confronted with how our own frailty has hurt those whom we love. We are reminded of all that has been lost.
And yet, this season is also a time of hope – of looking towards a future that will be better, of knowing that Light and Love are still there for us, and others, and will always be there.
Let us not bury the sad and bad in this Holiday season: doing so is a rejection of what it is so present – and therefore important – within our own lives as well as within the thoughts and lives of everyone around us.
Instead, let us honor and respect those pains and stains, because they are part of who we are. And, our faith teaches us that in God’s eyes, what and who we are – including every single one of the bruises and scars we all carry within us – is wonderful and beautiful.
Peace,
Pastor Allen
Copyright (c) 2015, Allen Vander Meulen III, all rights reserved. I’m happy to share my writings with you, as long as proper credit for my authorship is given. (e.g., via a credit that gives my full name and/or provides a link back to this site – or just email me and ask!)
The Here and the Hereafter 
“Honor and respect” – so important. I notice that you didn’t write “trample and change.” That’s where I tend to go. Need to do more of the honoring… Thank you for this, Alan.
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Thank you Kemberly! 😉
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