Joy & Peace All Year Round

Lately I’ve been thinking and we all know how dangerous that can be. There’s something special about Christmas. When it comes to Santa, we play that card with kids to try and encourage kindness and good behavior just before he visits. Yet the rest of the year we don’t even give it a second thought. With Christ, a lot of times it seems that we don’t start acting right until we are at church or a holiday is approaching. Not acting right necessarily but maybe striving to be Christ like.

There was a Christmas song I heard a few weeks prior this year that wrecked me. It’s titled, “O Come, All You Unfaithful.” It goes into the different life scenarios that I think we (all of humanity) tend to think no one else understands. From those weary from waiting, to those who are overwhelmed with shame. God’s promise is peace through Jesus, his son, who was slain so we can be pardoned from our sin. I mean, COME ON SOMEBODY and get excited with me! So this song is one I’ll be playing year round in hopes to remind myself that we are all in this together and God loves us deeply.

I want to be one who shows Jesus year round and scatters joy like confetti and sequins. Not because of Heaven being the goal for myself but because wanting others to experience the joy of Heaven and Jesus as well. Impacting the present day in eternal ways is the goal. Showing others that we aren’t in this life alone makes a difference. At times I get to talk to new employees about the Employee Assistance Program at work and I use that as a chance to tell them that life is hard. We weren’t made to walk through life alone and no one should feel as though they have to carry all of the things. That goes for everyone. Please know that I know I don’t do this well and that I mess up daily. I just want to be more intentional along the way.

So here’s the deal, you don’t have to scatter literal confetti and sequins (you can and I encourage it) but I do want to invite you to scatter kindness, peace, and joy all year long. Let’s freakin go.