Share
 A collective reflection on Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love Friday, December 13, 2024 |
| Learn From Me Matthew 11:28-30 Christmas holds some of my best childhood memories. I can still smell the hot cocoa boiling on the stove and the fresh baked cookies that my grandmother had ready upon our arrival. I remember the anticipation of Christmas Eve and its magical, carefree season. I loved the manger scenes on a snowy day and the candlelight services where we honored the birth of our Savior. As a parent, I now enjoy helping create these magical memories with my boys. When they were little, everything was new and exciting. Last Christmas, however, I learned to experience Jesus’s love, peace, and saving power in a different way. One of my boys was struggling. Badly. The winter break was long and emotional. I felt drained every day and questioned every decision I made as the support I was offering didn’t seem to be doing a thing. Events that had once been the season’s highlights felt stressful and exhausting. Instead of feeling the season’s joy, I wanted it to end. The thing is, God didn’t rescue me from this season of struggle and pain despite my earnest pleas. I prayed for answers and changes, and God softly whispered to me, “Come to me, all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Jesus came to carry the heavy burden for us. We aren’t promised answers or circumstantial changes, but we are promised rest. As I shifted my focus from looking for solutions to finding rest in God, he gave me the strength and peace I needed to be with what was. I found that sometimes being present is all we can do and all that we need to do. I pray that you will experience the rest that comes from Jesus in this Christmas season. May we let go of our burdens and entrust them to the one who is faithful to carry them all. By Laura Buchman PRAYER FOR TODAY God, thank you for Jesus and the amazing gift of peace that he offers us. Thank you that you are in control and that you care deeply about every heavy burden we carry. Help us trust you with our pain and struggle, and help us experience the supernatural peace you offer in return. Help us experience the presence of Jesus in this Christmas season, sensing your love and peace above all else. |
| Copyright © 2024, Heartland Community Church, All rights reserved. |