Jesus cured all of them. This was in fulfillment of what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, "A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering (dimly burning) wick He will not quench."
(Excerpted from Matthew 12:15-20, the Amplified Bible)
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Jesus cured all of them. This was in fulfillment of what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, "A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering (dimly burning) wick He will not quench." (Excerpted from Matthew 12:15-20, the Amplified Bible)
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Reflections:
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WOUNDED BY LOSS Christmas Reflections Christmas can be a time of strong emotions — often revolving around family. But sometimes the family is broken; by separation, divorce, death, or circumstance. In 2007, Dr. Richard Mabry wrote about this issue for his local newspaper and then posted the article on his blog. He generously gives us permission to reprint it here with the hope that it will minister to those whose hearts are heavy during the Christmas season. The First Christmas Without Them by guest columnist Richard L. Mabry, MD After the death of a loved one, every holiday that follows carries its own load of renewed grief, but there’s little doubt that Christmas — especially that first Christmas without him or her — is the loneliest time of the year. After the death of my wife, Cynthia, I was determined to keep things as “normal” as possible for that first Christmas. Since this was an impossible goal, the stress and depression I felt were simply multiplied by my efforts. My initial attempt to prepare the Christmas meal for my family was a disaster, yet I found myself terribly saddened by the sight of my daughter and daughters-in-law in the kitchen doing what Cynthia used to do. Putting the angel on the top of the tree, a job that had always been hers, brought more tears. It just wasn’t right — and it wasn’t ever going to be again. Looking back now, I know that the sooner the grieving family can establish a “new normal,” the better things will be. Change the menu of the traditional meal. Get together at a different home. Introduce variety. Don’t strive for the impossible task of recreating Christmases past, but instead take comfort in the eternal meaning of the season. The first Christmas will involve tears, but that’s an important part of recovery. Don’t avoid mentioning the loved one you’ve lost. Instead, talk about them freely. Share the good memories. And if you find yourself laughing, consider those smiles a cherished legacy of the person whom you miss so very much. For most of us, grieving turns our focus inward. We grieve for ourselves, for what might have been, for what we once had that has been taken from us. The Christmas season offers an opportunity to direct our efforts outward. During this season for giving, do something for others. Make a memorial gift in memory of your loved one—in our area, options include the North Texas Food Bank, the Salvation Army, and numerous charities. Involve yourself in a project through your church. Take a name from an Angel Tree at one of the malls and shop for a child whose smile you may not see but which will warm your heart nevertheless. When you’re grieving, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by Christmas, especially the modern version. The echoes of angel voices are drowned out by music from iPods. The story of Jesus’ birth gives way to reruns of “Frosty, The Snowman.” Gift cards from Best Buy and Wal-Mart replace the offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. If you find the season getting you down, the burden of your loss too great to bear, read once more the Christmas story in Luke, chapter 2. Even when you celebrate it alone, this is the true meaning of Christmas.
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Hope for Wounded Christians |