By Leslie Lupton
The Healing Place Church
The kids are back in school, and the leaves are beginning to change color. Department stores already have Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Christmas décor on their shelves. With the passing of summer, the holiday season is now in full swing. This can be the best time of the year for many with all of the celebration, parties, and most importantly the food. As we begin this season let’s look at it with expectancy. I’m one among many great pastors in this wonderful city, and I meet so many that feel defeated and are discouraged during this time of year.
I personally know that this time of year is not always easy for many. Some may have lost loved ones this year. I lost my mother to complication with asthma for 12 years when I was just 14 years old. She took her final breath in my arms the afternoon of Christmas day. The cool weather, sound of Christmas music, the lights, even the smells associated with Christmas each year try to cause me to relive this experience in my life. I understand how hard it can be to trust God when difficult things happen in our life. However now with a family of my own my focus goes to them and the enjoyment they bring.
When we learn to wait with expectancy we then pave the way for God to do something extra in our ordinary. My prayer is that you and your entire family not just have another great holiday season but an extraordinary one! We must make up our mind each day that no matter what we may face, we will face it with faith and move forward.
We must learn to look ahead instead of looking at our past experiences. As one man said “ the front window of your car is larger than the rearview mirror for a reason”. If we continue to look back we will never see our extraordinary future.
Fall is here and what a great time of the year! As we approach this holiday season let’s all take time to pause and be grateful. Through the good and the bad, we know without a doubt that He is always with us.