A Norvell Note for December 20, 2021
Vol. 24 No. 50
Endure
The anticipation for Christmas begins months before December 25. For some, the anticipation for next Christmas starts on December 25 as soon the gifts are opened. The roller coaster of emotion surrounding Christmas begins, builds, becomes more intense until it peaks on Christmas morning, and within a few minutes, it’s over.
Even under ideal circumstances, the Christmas season could be a template for life.
We have a dream. The dream begins to grow. With the passing of each milestone, the anticipation builds. It is like a low section on the roller coaster track when you fail to reach a goal. In these challenging times, it is easy to get discouraged and depressed. However, it’s the belief that better times, and better things, will come that keeps us going through the low times when progress is slow.
Some might say these cycles of ups and downs make life exciting. Others might prefer that life move along on a more consistent and even keel. I’ve not known life to be such a smooth journey.
So how do we manage it? How do we navigate the ups and downs and the ins and outs as we look forward to the day when dreams come true? And what do we do when we realize the downturn will not go back up? What do you do when you realize the plan will not work and the prayer will be unanswered?
I wish I could offer the perfect after-Christmas end-of-the-year sure-fire plan of action to adopt as a New Year’s resolution, but I can’t. So all I can offer is to say persevere.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5, NIV)
Persevere.
So much of life involves the process of endurance. They are enduring another day alone and enduring another night without goodnight hugs. You much survive another holiday with an empty place at the table. You are enduring the pain, the heartbreak, and the emptiness. You must endure the sadness and the loneliness.
You when endure all you can, and you get to the end of your day and say, “I did it.” Let that be enough. Rest well, knowing you have done the best you can.
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