Christmastide is the perfect time to reflect on where we are in our relationship with Jesus. The celebration of Advent, the preparations for Christmas Day, are all in the past. The gifts, parties, baking, and “glitz” of the season…that could be overwhelming for some…have been replaced with a quietness of spirit. At least, there is a “quest” for quietness…maybe not fully attained yet!
Jesus is Love and Pure Joy! He loves us in a way that is incomprehensible to us. He knows us perfectly…knows the struggles within us, and the reasons for those struggles…even when we don’t have a clue of what lies inside of our hearts.
This morning, I was looking through old family and friends photos, and I was reminded of so many blessings throughout the years. Especially through the “in the trenches” days of early marriage and raising our sons. During that time, it was clearly a “day to day” learning process, although I didn’t realize that at the time, I just trudged through each day’s events. I didn’t realize that Jesus was right there with me, as I struggled through the haze of the personal inner struggles that I was beginning to work through. All I knew at the time, was that I loved my husband and sons more than I could even understand. I wanted what was best for them in this life.
I did not understand that my role as a wife and mother wasn’t necessarily to work toward their happiness in THIS LIFE…my role was to help them and guide them toward their eternal happiness.
Maybe that’s where we become confused when our life doesn’t go as planned…and sometimes our prayers are not answered in the way we expect them to be. Only God knows what we truly need to prepare our souls for Eternal Life…with Him. He showers us with blessings each and everyday. Sometimes those blessings come disguised as difficulties, struggles and suffering. We are constantly being given opportunities to turn our gaze away from the material world, and instead, look to Him.
Trust Him, who created you lovingly, and knows you inside and out. Trust Him, and the Church He has gifted us with…and do all you can to know, love and serve Him in this fleeting world, so that you will be will be with Him…in the presence of Perfect Love and Joy…for all Eternity.
Think carefully about your choices in this life, because they will affect your most important relationship…which is with your Creator and your Savior.
So, during this time of peacefulness and meditation, remember this one thing:
The only thing you take to eternity is your relationship with God. Everything in your life should tend to that relationship.
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