POST CHRISTMAS PONDERING

The day after Christmas I read two articles in our local paper. One was based on an interview with a Mental Health Counselor. She was addressing the fact that many adults and children become severely depressed following the holidays, even to the point of contemplating suicide. She spoke with great urgency that individuals share their concerns with family, friends, pastors and mental health counselors. She went on to say the guidance clinic has a high influx of people after Christmas.

The second article was by a child guidance counselor who spoke of the importance of providing counseling to children living with domestic violence. Last year I read that the heaviest day of the year for domestic violence was the day of the Super Bowl.

If you are in either one of these situations I would suggest that you talk with someone who is close to you and seek professional help. You may find it helpful to review the blog I posted on May 29, 2007 titled, "Family, Frustrations, Fears and Fatalities."

This morning I read another article about a homeless child who would rather live on the street than in her home where an adult cousin was sexually abusing her. Her parents did not believe her, became angry with her and felt sad for the abusive cousin who had enough problems in his home.

While she lives in an abandoned car at the edge of the forest, she has friends from church who take her in on weekends, giving her food and clothing to help her get through the week. She is a 'B" student and hopes to gain a scholarship to college.

I am thankful there are friends who are sharing her burden with her. It brings to mind Paul's words to the Galatians: 6:25 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden."

It is inspiring to me that this young girl is carrying the heaviest part of her burden, while Christian friends are carrying the part she herself cannot bear alone. She is living out, in her daily walk, these basic scriptural instructions.

If you are at a low point in your life may I encourage you to remember, our Heavenly Father loves us with an everlasting love. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He tells us: "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep," (John 10:10b & 11) Whether we are on the mountain top or walking through the valley He is our Shepherd.

As you ponder your life and relationship with God, I hope the following poem I wrote will be an encouragement to you.

CHRISTMAS PONDERING

"And Mary pondered all these things..."

Might I not do the same?

To ponder deep within my heart,

Why my Lord and Savior came.

Was it not to touch our lives,

And make our blind eyes see;

To touch our hearts in love,

And set our spirits free?

Oh, can it be that Jesus came,

Sent by our Father's love;

Giving a gift beyond compare,

Redeeming us from above?

A new life He truly gave,

Abundant, eternal, free.

I have but to accept the gift

To live eternally.

He came into the world a babe,

Oh! Hear the angels sing.

And Pontius Pilate too proclaimed,

Oh, world, "Behold, your King!"

The words were sung with love one night,

A song from heaven clear.

But when they came from Pilate's lips,

'Twas with a grievous sneer.

Oh, friend of mine does your heart sing

With heaven's special joy?

Or do you sneer in mockery,

And epitaphs employ?

Christmas is a special time

To ponder in our hearts;

All the love that God has given.

How all His joy imparts.

What of this love I have received,

Cannot I also give?

To touch the lives of those I love;

The ones with whom I live.

I may not change our world's course,

Or rise to its acclaim.

But help me Lord in all I do,

To honor Your precious name.

And may I as I walk life's way,

Ponder all these things.

So live Your Word in daily life,

So others too might sing!

Don E. Cunningham, Author ©12/28/2007 762