In mid-December a phrase from my car radio caught my attention:
“Holiday Hangover of Hopelessness.”
Now isn’t that uplifting for the Christmas season?
I wouldn’t claim such a feeling for myself, but I have experienced the emotion of being downhearted following Christmas. It’s so easy to picture the whole family filling my kitchen. However, it seems there is always someone missing. Life isn’t a fictional setting most of the time. Someone is often ill, another is being selfish and chooses to be alone, claiming joy has been sucked away due to a life situation, and even one who has to work.
When a family member hurts, it rubs off on me. My heart’s desire is for everyone I love to know the joy of the Lord. That means I need to lift up that individual in prayer, leave him or her in God’s hands, and focus my thoughts, even acknowledged disappointments, on my Lord and Savior.
I’ve shared with you before that for several years now, I’ve chosen a word for the new year. (Happy New Year to you all!) Those words have included: Rest, Sing, Thankful, Trust, Victorious, Rejoice, Joy, Thrive, Lovingkindness, and Renew.
My chosen word for 2026 is Lighthearted.
For some reason, I’ve sobered over the years. I used to smile all the time. Recently, my aged countenance looks more like a grimace in pictures. Unfortunately, my visage on camera when singing in choir often makes me look like a sourpuss. Why?
I feel lighthearted within. How can my face not show the joy in my heart? I have a hope that surpasses understanding. I know where I’m going to spend eternity once this earth life is done.
Where was that December blog claim that the joy of the Lord is my strength?
Oh, my dear Lord and Mighty God, forgive my negligence and my short memory. I have within me the power of the God of the Old Testament, YAHWEH. I have the promise Jesus left, the gift of the Holy Spirit, in my soul. Please, restore to me the joy of my salvation. Lift any heaviness that weighs down my heart. Grant me an ever-present song that places focus on You. I even ask for that innocent, childlike faith that erases the hopelessness and helplessness of this heavy life. in Your glorious name, amen.
He reminded me I find that joy through song. Duh. I know that music lifts up my heart!
I plan to sing these two hymns until I have them memorized:
“Holiday Hangover of Hopelessness.”
Now isn’t that uplifting for the Christmas season?
I wouldn’t claim such a feeling for myself, but I have experienced the emotion of being downhearted following Christmas. It’s so easy to picture the whole family filling my kitchen. However, it seems there is always someone missing. Life isn’t a fictional setting most of the time. Someone is often ill, another is being selfish and chooses to be alone, claiming joy has been sucked away due to a life situation, and even one who has to work.
When a family member hurts, it rubs off on me. My heart’s desire is for everyone I love to know the joy of the Lord. That means I need to lift up that individual in prayer, leave him or her in God’s hands, and focus my thoughts, even acknowledged disappointments, on my Lord and Savior.
I’ve shared with you before that for several years now, I’ve chosen a word for the new year. (Happy New Year to you all!) Those words have included: Rest, Sing, Thankful, Trust, Victorious, Rejoice, Joy, Thrive, Lovingkindness, and Renew.
My chosen word for 2026 is Lighthearted.
For some reason, I’ve sobered over the years. I used to smile all the time. Recently, my aged countenance looks more like a grimace in pictures. Unfortunately, my visage on camera when singing in choir often makes me look like a sourpuss. Why?
I feel lighthearted within. How can my face not show the joy in my heart? I have a hope that surpasses understanding. I know where I’m going to spend eternity once this earth life is done.
Where was that December blog claim that the joy of the Lord is my strength?
Oh, my dear Lord and Mighty God, forgive my negligence and my short memory. I have within me the power of the God of the Old Testament, YAHWEH. I have the promise Jesus left, the gift of the Holy Spirit, in my soul. Please, restore to me the joy of my salvation. Lift any heaviness that weighs down my heart. Grant me an ever-present song that places focus on You. I even ask for that innocent, childlike faith that erases the hopelessness and helplessness of this heavy life. in Your glorious name, amen.
He reminded me I find that joy through song. Duh. I know that music lifts up my heart!
I plan to sing these two hymns until I have them memorized:
He Keeps Me Singing by Luther B. Bridgers, 1910 (public domain)
There’s within my heart a melody
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
“Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,”
In all of life’s ebb and flow.
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go. (there are four more verses)
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