Linda and I always enjoyed the excitement of the Christmas holidays. Her creative spontaneity provided the impetus for a joyous break from our demanding schedules. In the early years, we alternated between visiting my parents in Florida and her parents in the North. After the children were old enough to enjoy the winter sports, we established a new and lasting tradition: After celebrating Christmas at home, we met her extended family in the Smoky Mountains for a few days of fun; then, refreshed and anticipating all the exciting things that the coming year promised, we headed back to our responsibilities. This year was so very different. Even though I was surrounded by my family and enjoyed celebrating with them in three different locations, coming to grips with the reality that this was my fifth Christmas apart from Linda, hit me like a ton of bricks. I have never felt so alone! For several days, I struggled to find a way forward before finally getting my act together. I began by making sure that Linda felt good about herself as she faced the New Year. Her appearance was always very important to her. Therefore, in the picture accompanying today’s blog, she is sporting a fresh hairdo, a manicure and a pedicure. For good measure, she is wearing a new outfit by one of her favorite designers, a birthday gift from one of our children. Then, I began self- therapy. Concluding that God had not changed and the problem lay solely with me, it became obvious that my perspective had to change. More easily said than done, my plan for restoration of hope embodies three great truths:
In Christ, Discouragement is Vanquished
In 1865, Philip Brooks, pastor of Philadelphia’s Holy Trinity Church, while traveling on horseback between Jerusalem and Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, rode through the fields where it is believed that humble shepherds first saw the star. Reaching Bethlehem, he then participated in a worship service which lasted for five hours. Reflecting on what he had experienced, he penned these words:
O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see the lie;
above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
Even though “O Little Town of Bethlehem” was written for the Sunday School children at his Philadelphia parish, one hundred and fifty-seven years later, God used the beauty and simplicity of the message to speak to me in a time of great sorrow.
God Gives Power and Increases Strength
Over twenty-seven hundred years ago, God inspired the prophet Isaiah to offer comfort and hope to His people during their captivity in Babylon. In the past two weeks, I have allowed these timeless words to permeate my soul and remove my despair.
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:28:31 ESV).
God’s Love and Mercies are Limitless
Even though my parents certainly never intended to impart it, while I was growing up, I received the message that I was loved and mercy was extended when my behavior warranted it. After accepting Christ as my Savior and devoting myself to ministry that attitude translated into the performance trap: In order to please God, I had to work very hard! In other words, He was my taskmaster and I never quite measured up. Thankfully, many years ago, God used Dr. Bob Crick to help me escape that damnable mindset. However, when facing a crisis such as the one I described in the first paragraph, it is easy to forget the great truth that Jeremiah so beautifully expounds and resort to “Stinking Thinking.”
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT).
Now, an obvious question begs to be answered: Why am I so willing to share “warts and all” my story? After spending decades listening to countless individuals share their personal stories of pain and hopelessness, I am quite certain that many who read this blog, especially caregivers to dementia patients, will realize that they also need a plan for restoration of hope. I urge you to feel free to borrow mine!
Ron Harvard Ministries 