Good Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Four years ago, I came home to Tulsa after spending a beautiful Thanksgiving week in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with my son and his family after a whirlwind previous couple of weeks of decisions to be made, funeral preparations, and all the “to do’s” after my Honey graduated to heaven.
Cabo was just what I needed – to get away – find that place of consolation, peace and serenity. Everything about the previous few weeks – in fact, the last eight months seemed quite surreal. But, I had walked through the valley of the shadow of death, and, because of this profound place of peace, I literally feared no evil. God was there to comfort me – that was His promise in Psalm 23 – He had kept His promise. I was comforted.
My eyes welled up in tears as I walked from my plane down the concourse and approached the waiting area, as this was the first time that I arrived back in Tulsa, with my Honey not waiting for me. BUT, what to my wandering and teary eyes would appear…. but my two, then, “Tulsa” grandkids, running to me with open arms and screaming, “Nana, Nana! We made you cards and presents!” Oh, sweet distraction from my previous thoughts! Getting into the car, they excitedly displayed their “Welcome Home” handmade cards and ice cream stick creations – one to hold my pens and pencils, and the other, a drink coaster and ice cream stick crosses. They were little chatter boxes all the way home. Oh, how my Heavenly Father gave me exactly what I needed, once again – “good tidings of comfort and joy” that comes from a loving Father in the form of the purity of two little children who love me so much.
Of course, when I arrived back at home — I had waves of emotions — when I saw his pictures, his clothes, the fingerprints of his life all over our home. I missed him beyond words, but I was never overcome with even a moment of grief (definition: deep mental anguish, as that arising from bereavement) or sorrow (definition — mental suffering or pain caused by injury, loss, or despair). Both of those words talk about “mental” suffering. I refused to go there. No, I was not in denial. I was in that “secret place” of the Most High – abiding under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1). I had a choice – to be in sorrow and grief – or to celebrate each day that God would give me. I chose to open the windows wide – to listen to joyful Christmas music – to shine the Christmas lights brightly — to laugh with my grandchildren while making Christmas cookies — to call a friend and encourage them –- to raise my voice in song, especially singing, “God is so good”. I will finish strong! I will be a conqueror!
I purpose to live out my faith with joy instead of sorrow, dancing instead of mourning, wearing a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness. Yes, at this beautiful time of the year…we can all sing the words “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, let NOTHING you dismay, remember Christ, our Savior, was born on Christmas Day, Oh tidings of comfort and joy!”