Both Sides Blog

Birthday Reflections…
Celebrations through the years are like a mosaic made up of just the 2 of us, the lake, and a waterlogged cake. Shirtless babies and cupcakes squeezed through chubby hands. The tulle and toothless grins, plastic swords and water balloons, candles that shoot sparks, colorful balloons, pools and water slides, first sweets, frozen treats. Friends, family, sleepovers. Beach birthdays. Birthdays celebrated on the road between here and there. Shared parties. Solo soirées with just the core 4.

What an absolute gift is a celebration of life. Another year come and gone. Older. Wiser.
A special day to remember all the stories and tell them over and again. Embellishing juuust enough to make them sparkle.

Acknowledging and celebrating God’s faithfulness. Another sunrise. Life lived inside this moment in history. Indeed. A gift.

Grateful to know and serve a humble Savior.

The loudest voices are most often those who are heard...
and believed.
Lies or truth. It doesn't matter.
Surely the loudest voices are to be trusted?
The voices of our culture are shouting all kinds of things.
Battling for our attention.
Our allegiance.
Often, sensational over sensical.

The prophet, Isaiah, prophesied to Israel thousands of years before the Messiah was born in a barn in Bethlehem.
And true to prophecy, the Gospels tell us that the Messiah's approach to humanity was faithful and gentle.
He did not break the bruised or s***f out the wicks of those whose hopes and hearts barely smoldered.

He came to open blind eyes to truth, to free captives from the prison of their minds and release those who sit in the dungeons of their own dark souls.

Indeed, the Messiah would not shout, cry out loudly or raise his voice in the streets. That would not be his way. Yet the message of Jesus, our humble Messiah, is loud and clear but not because he shouted it.
He lived it as he moved throughout the world he created.
It has always been his way. This quiet influence.
He still gives breath to the people of the world and life to those who walk in it.

The loudest voices are most often those who are heard...
and believed.
Lies or truth. It doesn't matter.
Surely the loudest voices are to be trusted?
The voices of our culture are shouting all kinds of things.
Battling for our attention.
Our allegiance.
Often, sensational over sensical.

The prophet, Isaiah, prophesied to Israel thousands of years before the Messiah was born in a barn in Bethlehem.
And true to prophecy, the Gospels tell us that the Messiah's approach to humanity was faithful and gentle.
He did not break the bruised or s***f out the wicks of those whose hopes and hearts barely smoldered.

He came to open blind eyes to truth, to free captives from the prison of their minds and release those who sit in the dungeons of their own dark souls.

Indeed, the Messiah would not shout, cry out loudly or raise his voice in the streets. That would not be his way. Yet the message of Jesus, our humble Messiah, is loud and clear but not because he shouted it.
He lived it as he moved throughout the world he created.
It has always been his way. This quiet influence.
He still gives breath to the people of the world and life to those who walk in it.

It's really OK...

If this season looks different this year, it's ok. Maybe you've experienced a devastating or unexpected loss, an empty nest, or established a necessary boundary with a loved one, and it's just tough. If it doesn't feel quite as joyful or "full" as in past years, that's ok too.

The weariness often settles in a little heavier during the holidays. The shorter days and colder weather, alone, can initiate feelings of anxiety or dread. It's not that we intentionally set out to be a Grinch or declare "Bah Humbug!" to the inevitable festivities. Honestly, we simultaneously feel the pull to both withdraw and grieve and connect and be social. We were not created to be alone and yet we are.

Is it that we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves, our homes or families? Or do we feel pressured to go and do and simply show up to things that we should want to attend but end up feeling empty and miserable when we do? Perhaps, you were not invited or included this year, and it hurts. Everyone else is having a great time and you're just left out of it all. The lights on houses and trees twinkling through windows seem to mock you and serve as a reminder you of the fact that you, indeed, are weary and not just weary but alone.

Is it helpful to know that we ALL struggle? And to know that you are not alone in the struggle? It's difficult for many of us to be transparent and admit when we're struggling. Every single one of us has occupied a seat on the struggle bus...it's the human experience. And we can't choose when or how it happens. But we can choose to press pause and offer grace to ourselves...and to others.

Here's a little light for this season. Actually, THE true Light in this season. There is One who created you uniquely to live a life of freedom, peace, purpose, and connection. He is full of grace, truth, unfailing love, and faithfulness. He knew rejection and still...He continues to pursue us passionately and relentlessly. Shining His light for all to see and know that he gives light to everyone. He offers hope to all of us who are walking or sitting alone in darkness of heart and mind.

In the Gospel of John, Chapter 1 says,

"The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.

The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son."

It's really ok... to see both sides this season. I see you.

Both Sides Blog Through the lens of life experience, we see the scope of our own narrative from both sides.
What now?