HOPE in the Bittersweet.

My grandpa died this week. He lived thousands of miles away, and only saw him once every couple of years. My mom will miss him terribly.

A sweet man, husband, and father died this summer. I didn't even know him or the family, but I found myself praying for them, knowing that God's plan was bigger than such a tragedy. I will be babysitting for them starting in January :) Love how God works.

My dear friend's brother died seven years ago, and I've come to see the beauty in spending a death anniversary with family, praising God that he is safely home and no longer suffering.

I've been thinking about these families, and many more, this Christmas. How hollow the Santa-driven commercialism of Christmas must strike those who grieve without any gospel hope. However, for those who understand that Christmas is about the incarnation of hope, grief can be replaced with faith.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
~1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Christmas is ultimately about the One who was born into our world to become the suffering servant who would pay for the sins of those He came to save. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross and its suffering and shame. What makes absolutely no sense prior to life with God is the very emblem of hope in our trials, both great and small. So we must ground ourselves in that hope, believing that God's plan is always best.

When Henry didn't get his way, often he would say to me, "You don't love me." Was that true? Absolutely NOT! My love had not changed. My love was simply expressing itself differently that he wanted it to. In order to protect him. To keep him safe. To teach him.

My sophomore year of high school was AWFUL. I experienced heartache and fear, and was changed forever. I had the choice to face my experiences by blaming God and questioning His love for me. And while it was a season filled with pain and confusion and hurt... Did God still love me? YES. Had his love changed? NO. He still cared for me with an infinite, everlasting love.

When we face unlikely or uncomfortable circumstances, I believe that it's OKAY to ask God to explain what's happening. I asked Him what I should do, who I could turn to, if it would all turn out alright. I raised many, MANY questions... but never said, "Jesus, I guess you just don't love me."

For the past year, after God brought a sweet friend into my life that has played such a huge role, I have made a determination: no matter what my circumstances, I don't want to look at my situation except up against the backdrop of the cross. In the death and resurrection of Jesus, God forever displayed His love for me. I am daily striving to see my friends, my family, my future... with the cross of Christ ever so prominent behind them. I pray that my Father would ever let me look at my life and question His love for me. His love for me was settled on the cross. That has never changed and will never change.

No matter what your circumstances are, God's love never changes. It is steadfast. The cross, the death of Jesus Christ, and His resurrection, is beautiful expression that He loves you. I am praying that you will never allow your heart to question that love. Rather, that you would settle it on the front end of your desire to know Him and become more like Him. He loves you. You were created for a love relationship. He is pursuing. God will never love you with anything less than a perfect love.

Sin led to the fall of man and the trials of living in a corrupted world. But one day two thousand years ago, the promise of a Savior was fulfilled as a tiny baby boy burst into our world. We have a Savior who knows what it's like to walk in our shoes... and then triumph over death, the penalty for our sins. His triumph doesn't mean our trials are over in this life, but they are certainly heading towards a glorious conclusion- eternity with Jesus.

Fellow followers of Jesus, let us fix our eyes on that certainty, instead of the momentary tribulations of this life.

"My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' blood and righteousness."

You are so so loved,
Lyss