High and Low 2021

There are 2 main events which dominate my memories of 2021, namely a wedding and a funeral. Jemima and Josh were married on 25th May. My mother died on 6th December. The photo below helps combine these 2 events in my mind. How precious to have a photo of mum with Jemima and Josh on their wedding day! 

I never realized that there is as much planning goes into a modern wedding! It's not just getting a venue, dresses, photographer, flowers, cake, sending out some invitations and just showing up to say your vows. It is so much more. There's all the little details like the font and design of the invitations and signage, preparing the sweetie cart, collating photos into a video, the shape and scent of the candles, the meticulous preparations for hair styles and make-up with photographer and videographer in the house recording it all, the arch for flowers and the seating plans, as well as the days spent making the Barn (youth hall) into a clean, suitable venue for the ceremony, both inside and outside. 

Then, add to all this the uncertainty that covid restrictions and lockdown brought. Online shopping challenges included returning unsuitable or damaged goods. Knowing what numbers and specifics we could plan for was always to the fore. What was plan B if we were not allowed to have a wedding reception? However, the one thing that kept us focused was that Jemima and Josh rightly decided not to postpone their date but to go ahead and get married on 25th May. 

Then, the big day arrived and we enjoyed every minute of it. Hospitality had just opened up the day before allowing Jemima and Josh to have the wedding reception they had planned for, albeit with some restrictions still to be adhered to. Below are a few photos of Jemima and Josh's special day. Edenmore country golf club was an absolutely beautiful setting for the reception, and the meal was delicious, too. 

Then, by the end of the year the scene had changed to sadness for me. My mum went into hospital in late November and then passed away on Monday 6th December. Yes, she had fallen in July 2019 and never been home after that but for almost 2 and half years we visited her in hospital or nursing home, when permitted to do so. I know she is absent from the body and present with the Lord. Her suffering is over and she is with Christ which is far better but I am still numb. Grief can be hard to bear sometimes, so my heart goes out to everyone who has lost loved ones, especially coming up to Christmas. May there be brighter days in 2022.

Conclusion

In conclusion, some simple facts come to mind:

1. Marriage was ordained by God and it is the union of one man and one woman. 

Genesis 2v18-24. Jesus reaffirmed this in Matthew 19v1-6.

2. Death is certain and we all need to prepare for it.  

"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." 

Hebrews 9:27 KJV

3. Whatever joy or pain we have been through in 2021, we need to look to the Lord to help us in 2022 to face whatever situations we will find ourselves in. 

"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." 

Hebrews 12v1+2 KJV 

Wishing you every blessing throughout 2022 and thank you for all your prayers, 

Rhonda

Christmas Sadness

This year I have been prompted to think about some difficult and sad situations people can find themselves in over the Christmas season. The death of my mother on the 6th December has had this impact on me. There is just no way that I could write about every difficult situation at Christmas, so I am just going to take a few examples from the Bible stories about Christ's birth and early years. Please note that they will not be in order but I trust they will be an encouragement to you. 

1. Distance from family at Christmas

Jesus, Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt from Herod (see Matthew 2v13-15, 19-23). This was for the protection of the Infant Jesus (who was probably about 2 years old at this stage). Remember Jesus had not come to be killed as a child. Joseph was obedient to God, knowing that He is in control. I wonder do you, parent, obey the Sovereign God for the protection of your children?

God provided for them in Egypt and kept them safe. Perhaps they used the gold, frankincense and myrrh during this time. No doubt they had many lonely times, missing their families but God kept them safe. You know the wonderful thing....they were with Christ every day in Egypt, spending time with Him, getting to know Him better. 

Perhaps you are a great distance from your family or loved ones this Christmas, maybe even because of Covid travel restrictions. Trust the Lord to keep you all safe. Find your hiding place in Christ. Spend time each day with Christ, listening to Him and getting to know Him more.

2. Death at Christmas

Herod ordered all boys 2 years old and under to be killed. Their mothers were inconsolable (Matthew 2v16-18). Satan wants to kill and destroy children. 

Perhaps you have suffered bereavement this Christmas time, maybe even the death of a child. Your heart is breaking, grief is weighing you down and you cannot find comfort from anyone or anything on earth. 

May you find peace, strength and comfort in Christ the Lord this Christmas. He is the Prince of Peace and the God of all comfort.

3. Disappointment, Hurt and Confusion at Christmas

Joseph struggled to accept the miraculous conception of Jesus and considered not marrying Mary. He loved Mary but was no doubt disappointed, hurt and confused that Mary would be unfaithful to him. Perhaps he even thought, 'Why is this happening to me?'

Then, God spoke to him and calmed his every fear.... and Joseph obeyed the Lord and willingly married Mary. He and Mary raised Jesus on earth.. What a wonderful plan Joseph saw unfolding!

God can calm your every fear. Bring your disappointments, hurt and confusion to Him this Christmas. Be willing to obey the Lord, even when your cannot understand why things are happening to you. Then, you will see God working out His plan through you.

4. Difficult Delivery at Christmas

Just think about the difficult circumstances Mary endured as she gave birth to Jesus.

There was the long journey to Bethlehem when heavily pregnant, possibly riding on a donkey. This would have taken several days.

There was no room in any inn, so no comfortable bed for her.

She gave birth to Christ in a dirty stinking stable with just the manger for a cot.

Some of you young ladies may be due to give birth around Christmas time, maybe even your first child. I trust your circumstances will not be as difficult as Mary's; and I wish you joy and blessing with your new baby that God has given you.

Conclusion 

There are many other difficult situations that people can find themselves in at Christmas: sickness, loneliness, financial problems, homelessness, abuse, conflict. I cannot even begin to imagine or understand the depths of difficult circumstances that some people are going through. Let us never forget others less fortunate than ourselves this Christmas. 

Whatever your difficult situation, I exhort you to remember Christ's first coming and to look forward to Christ's second coming. You can read about Christ's first coming in Matthew 1+2; Luke 1+2. Then read 1 Thessalonians 4v13-18 which speaks about His second coming and tells us to comfort one another with these words.