It was a busy afternoon. I was distracted and overwhelmed, as many of us are during the holidays.
But I urgently needed to buy some laundry detergent — unless our family was willing to show up at church the next day in pajamas. So I rushed to the grocery store with that single item on my list.
By the time I parked the car, I had mentally added a few more items to the list, because the radio weatherman was predicting a big winter storm, and I might need some necessities. (“Must-have” items included a big bag of bite-sized chocolates, which I would secretly stash on a high shelf in the pantry in the event of Snowpocalypse. Hashtag mommy survival kit.)
I grabbed a shopping cart at the entrance and raced through aisles, picking up about a dozen more . . . a-hem . . . “necessities.”
At the checkout, the clerk gave me my total amount due. I handed her my credit card, and only then did I remember what I came for: Laundry detergent. It wasn’t even on the grocery conveyor belt!
I’d forgotten what I actually needed, because I was distracted by everything I thought I must have.
It hit me, right then, how forgetful I am — how I lose sight of the main thing, because of all the side distractions.
I’m not proud to admit that my forgetfulness happens in my spiritual life, not just at the grocery store.
You, too?
Here we all are, wherever we are, on this grand globe called Earth. We’ve been sent here for purposes set for us long ago. And in reality, we need One Thing most of all. (Hint: It’s not laundry detergent or chocolate, and His name starts with the letter “J.”)
We know we need Him first and foremost, but we get distracted by everything else.
Truth is, we really do want God with all of our heart. We really do put Him at the top of our lists. But we chronically miss Him anyway — because of distraction, chaos and even because of our own pain.
For some of you, the pain is real. For you, this is a really hard time of year. Maybe your extended family can’t manage to sit down for one holiday meal without a conflict erupting. It’s two weeks until Christmas, but many of us know there will loved ones missing from the table. We can fairly predict who will be glaring at who over the water goblets, and who will be dealing with some really difficult stuff. Maybe that someone is you.
Our pain can break our communion with God.
Our distractions can break our communion with God.
Even our well-meaning busy-ness can break our communion with God.
Here’s the good news we need to know: even when we’ve broken communion with God, He doesn’t break communion with us. He enters into our brokenness, and restores communion.
And that’s what Christmas is all about — the restoration of all the broken things.
Jesus totally gets your chaos. He totally gets your brokenness. He doesn’t turn His back on the mess. He enters into it.
This is His Christmas — His chaotic, messy, holy, no-room-for-you-in-the-inn, born-in-a-barn Christmas. Imagine the pain of labor. The itch of hay. The stench of beast. This is God, incarnate, coming into our broken world, into our broken hearts.
If you’re feeling messy this season, you are in a pretty elite club, and it is chaired by the Son of God who entered into your mess on purpose.
Christmas is Jesus, saying the unflinching, remarkable YES for you — no matter what has you hurting or distracted. Jesus is your forever YES.
Even when we break communion. Even when we get distracted. Even when it’s messy. Even when we forget.
That day at the store, I ran back to the detergent aisle while the clerk waited patiently for me — along with a long line of people who were standing behind me.
In the end, I got what I needed that day. We even wore clean clothes to church.
Like that patient clerk, God is waiting for us. But unlike that clerk, He doesn’t expect us to pay the bill. He covered it for us.
I’m so grateful for our Jesus, who entered into this mess down here. He went out on a pretty big limb for us, you know? Sometimes, I forget that. Even when I forget, He won’t. It’s His promise:
“But even if mothers forget, I’d never forget you — never.” {Isaiah 49:15, MSG}
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Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Jennifer,
For the past few days I have been suffering through a terrible ocd anxiety episode. I can’t feel the peace of Christ. I know it’s not a “feeling” it’s more the person of who Christ is, yet it’s so hard when I can’t feel and experience peace. Please pray for me. I am weary from being a ball of anxiety and am no use to anyone in this state. Just need some reminders that God knows me and that He understands and He will be faithful to restore communion (He feels so far away right now). I keep clinging to the truth that He will never leave nor forsake me…even when I can’t feel His peace.
Thanks…struggling…need prayers.
Bev
A says
Bev, I understand so much what you are going through for similar reasons. I pray that He breaks through to enfold you in His arms. I read once that when we are in these places, He has us in the cleft of the rock, like Moses, keeping us safe. Sweet sister, He is right there with you; He understands better than any of us and is faithful in all He does. He is greater than our feelings, and knows everything 1Jhn 3:20 Hold on, He has you and this 🙂 Hugs!
dukeslee says
That’s such a good word, A. Thanks for being here to support a sister.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Thank you xx
Veronica says
Bev, Praying for you right now. I am sorry that you are anxious. Praying that He covers you with His perfect peace. You are safe in His arms, sweet Bev. He is your Good Shepherd and will never let go. Sending you love and God’s comfort, precious Bev. Xox
Psalm 23 The Lord is My Shepherd
Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Veronica, I’ve been reading the 23rd Psalm and God has really spoken to me through it. His peace is returning…xx
Arica says
Bev,
You are not alone! I truly understand your feelings as I have gone through what I like to call spiritual anxiety for the last year and half. I’ve had insurmountable panic attacks and depression. I’ve allowed my feelings to dictate my spiritual state. All I can say is that it’s been a trial to strengthen my trust in God’s mysterious ways and using it for his good. Psalm 23 is my go to for comfort. Prayers for you during this time!
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Arica,
I’m sorry that you, too, know these feelings. But that’s just what they are…feelings. Jesus as my comforter is a fact. Thank you for your oh so kind words. Reading the 23rd Psalm…you’re right…great go to!! xx
Beth Williams says
Bev,
Prayers that He will bring healing to you mind, body and soul! Just know that you are loved by God and He will never leave nor forsake you! I love you too Sister-in Christ! May God shower you with His love, grace and mercy!! You will be in my prayers as will both your children!!
Blessings 🙂
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Beth,
You are such a great prayer warrior…so blessed to have you in my corner sweet friend!! xx
Nancy Ruegg says
Praying…Lord, provide the reminders that Bev needs, so she will know with assurance that you understand exactly how she is feeling and why. I pray that as she clings to the truth of your Word, the truth will cling to her and melt away the anxiety. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Nancy,
I’m clinging…that you for your sweet prayers!! xx
dukeslee says
Bev,
Oh friend. Please know that I’m praying with you and for you tonight. I am so sorry for the anxiety you’re experiencing. I have had episodes like that, and they are no fun. Sometimes, I can dig deep and find peace. But other times? The digging feels like too much work. Praying that you can breathe deeply, and find God so present in the midst of your difficult time.
Love to you.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Jennifer,
I’m doing better…thanks to so many sweet prayers. God is present and He has been restoring peace in a way only He can do…you’re right…I can’t dig and find it on my own. Thanks for your kind words!! xx
Cindy Young says
I am the pained one but, God is with me and seeing me through. Christmas is coming and I miss my Joshie so much. He was the child I never gave birth to. Yet, Christmas in ‘our’ home was so much fun. He was the Joy Jesus gave to me, through my little man dog and all his shenanigans. I laughed and laughed and the harder I Iaughed the more he did his cute things. I know that through this Christmas I will be sad but, I will try to focus on the great times I had with him and he with me and I will laugh right through the pain!
dukeslee says
Sending hugs across the miles, Cindy, as you feel this emptiness in your Christmas.
Rebecca Jones says
This is a great post, I’m bad about wanting to do things for people and the Lord keeps reminding me of what I need, rest in Him. I have to take care of me, too, And let Him take care of me. He wants to and He has all the answers. What we manage to make a mess of He can clean and polish and put His shine on, He never runs out of detergent.
dukeslee says
Ha! I love that, Rebecca! He cleans us up real good, doesn’t he?
Karrilee Aggett says
Oh how I love this (and yes… have done this very thing myself!) I wrote a whole 31days series on Truths we know – it’s just that sometimes we forget! You are not alone, sister! I think we all forget from time to time! xoxo
dukeslee says
Thank you, Karrilee!
Trudy Den Hoed says
So very true, Jennifer. Thank you for the encouragement that “even when we’ve broken communion with God, He doesn’t break communion with us.” That He restores the broken and never, ever forgets us like we sometimes forget Him. Blessings and hugs to you!
dukeslee says
Hi Trudy! So glad you’re here. Glad these words encouraged you today.
Beth Williams says
Jennifer,
Such a good and timely post! I often get distracted doing good things, but forget the true meaning of Christmas! It is so easy to do when right before Thanksgiving all you hear is buy buy buy gifts for everyone & not much mention of Christ!
Blessings 🙂
dukeslee says
It’s easy to lose sight of the Reason. Thankful that He never loses sight of us.
Nancy Ruegg says
I, too, am so grateful that our Jesus came to this broken world and offers all of us restoration with God. We can come “home” like the prodigal son and enjoy the peace and joy of His household. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Thank you, Jennifer, for your honest, heart-warming reminder.
dukeslee says
Thanks for your kind words in the comment box, Nancy. I hope you’re having a peace-filled season.
disqus_LiIIaSi8fa says
Beautifully written. Truths that touched my heart in the middle of my mess. Thank you for a timely word that has blessed me.
Natasha says
Love it, thank you!
Casey says
I can’t tell you how many times I have gone to the store for one–maybe two–items and left with everything BUT what I originally intended to get. But that’s beside the point…
I have been struggling lately with keeping my eyes focused on Jesus. I attended my first therapy appointment on Thursday and there I learned that I have an issue with control. I think I have to be in control of everything. I think I have to be without flaw and without cracks or tears, but I don’t. Jesus is the glue keeping my brokenness together. And while I still struggle with anxiety and depression and forgetting my self-worth, I am trying my hardest to remember that I do not have to be the one in control. God takes the reins from me. He leads and all I have to do is follow.
Though I wish I could keep my thoughts focused in this manner all the time.
Thanks so much for this post!