My World Is Crying For A Christmas

Today is hospital Day 30 for daughter-A. She made some great progress a week ago, but then suffered some devastating set-backs. This frustrating illness just doesn’t want to play fair, or let go! After 30 days and nights laying in a hospital bed, eating hospital food, looking at drab hospital walls, and dealing with the endless hospital routines; doctors, nurses, tests, machines – both she, and our family, are pretty much worn out. We are ready for this to end. We wish she could instantly be restored to health, and life would go back to “normal”.

But, when life doesn’t go the way we wish, then what?

The “faithful person” answer is that this becomes an opportunity to look for what can be learned from the experience, a chance to watch for the small tender mercies, counting all the positive things, and trying to be patient, “waiting on the Lord”.

I really do believe and trust in those principles. But you know what? Sometimes we also just have to let ourselves be regular old human beings, too. So, we cry, we get mad, we feel helpless or even hopeless, and once in awhile, we even question if God is really there…or, if He cares about our situation.

And, there’s nothing wrong with feeling that way.

“I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see”

(3 Nephi 18:25)

Life is hard. It doesn’t play ‘fair’ with anyone, and sometimes it really hurts. We all have a right to cry, and be angry. In fact, it’s crucial for our health. When we deny our feelings, hold all of our emotions inside, and tell ourselves that feeling something – anything –  is “bad”, then we eventually get very, very ill. Our feelings need validation. We are emotional beings, created in the image of God and therefore, every emotion was created by God for a wise purpose.

It’s important to remember that Jesus Wept, too. (John 11:35)

I believe that there is no wrong or right way to endure a trial. There’s no wrong or right way to grieve for what is lost in our lives. There’s no wrong or right way to feel. Everyone has the right to process their emotions and trials differently. This whole “life thing” is as much a learning experiment as a growing experience. Right now, I am counting myself successful by rising up out of bed each day, getting dressed, and trying to do the best that I can for the next 24 hours. If there’s anything over all I’ve been reminded of through these long days and nights, it’s that you just never know what pain someone else is carrying around inside. You never know the burden of suffering someone might be struggling with.

Perhaps the great secret to creating “Peace on Earth, Good Will To Men” is simply to be a little more kind and gentle to each other, lift a burden – or, at least not add to it.

Sadly, the worst kind of suffering usually does not get shared or talked about. The burden of mental illness and emotional trauma are deeply personal and agonizing to carry. It’s tragic that we can’t feel safe enough with each other to share the inner-most things from our soul, and then truly be able to “bear one another’s burdens” properly. (Galatians 6:2). But, when all else fails, there is someone who has already borne our grief and our burdens, and has promised He can make them lighter for us.

“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

“And he will take upon him … their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, … that he may know … how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” (Alma 7:11-12)

I stumbled into a song written and performed by Christian music artist Scott Krippayne that I’ve been playing over and over today. I think it’s just such a brilliant and beautiful song. It sure deserves a lot more air time (I’d never heard it before, have you?). These words speak straight to my heart right now. It acknowledges my sadness, yet still offers hope and meaning all at the same time. Here’s a video of Scott performing the song, and I’ve printed the lyrics below. – MoSop

These are the lives of the rearranged
Scattered souls who’ve been displaced
Nowhere else to turn
Like Bethlehem we have packed the place
Human need fills every space
No room at the inn – Still God found a corner,
Made a bed down in the hay
Could he reappear, make his advent here
Will he still draw near today?My world is crying,
Crying for a Christmas
Some way to know for sure —
That our God is with us
We could all use a sign
A little glimpse of divine
For a world that still cries for ChristmasFeeding trough on a dirty floor
Unimpressive welcome for
God’s Almighty Son
Are we as blind to incarnation
Daily proof of our salvation
Love’s already comeWe are not abandoned,
All alone in our despair
He who once came down, he can still be found
Every when and everywhere

My world is crying,
Crying for a Christmas
Some way to know for sure —
That our God is with us
Once a baby so small
Grew to die for us all
For a world that still cries for Christmas.

Jesus you are here, Jesus you are now
Jesus you are here, Jesus you are now

My world is crying,
Crying for a Christmas
Some way to know for sure —
That our God is with us
We can all be the sign
That his love is alive
For a world that still cries for Christmas

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Let’s support the artist! purchase his song on itunes here

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