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Single Minded
by Michelle Brinson
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?' "And the King will answer them, 'I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.' Matthew 25:35-40 (HSCB)
We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing. (Billy Graham)
While it's usually during the holidays we think most of being with family and friends, a time of great joy, the fact is for many, this is one of the hardest times of the year. Lots of people dread the holiday season and I believe the biggest reason they dread it is because they are alone and they feel left out of the festivities associated with the holidays.
The loneliness that seems the hardest to bear during this time of year is the loneliness that comes from not having a husband or wife or not having a close relationship with your family. One of life's greatest mysteries to me is why God allows some people to remain single and others to marry. I know so many wonderful single men and women who desire to marry and have not. I wish I had an answer for them as to why, but I don't. If you are in the same boat, I encourage you to pray and ask God for wisdom. Ask someone to pray with you and walk through this with you, and then rely on the strength that only God can give you - each and every day. Don't be frustrated if you don't see results right away – or even the results you want. God's timing is always perfect, His grace is sufficient. God knows your every desire, and He understands your every need. You can trust Him. He will provide. As for your family, I encourage you to do whatever you can to reconcile with any family members you may be estranged from during this Christmas season.
I know the pain and hurt so many of you are going through during this wonderful season. It's hard, especially when others appear to be so full of joy. I can relate. Please know I am praying for you. I care about each and every one of you reading this column. I wish I had a magic wand I could wave that would give us the answers to the why? Questions we ask - but I don't. However, there is One who does have the answer. It is during these times in our life, these times when we hurt and things don't make sense, we need to press in even deeper in our daily walk with Christ. This is what will truly sustain you through these lonely, difficult times.
The promises in His Word are true. We need to find our peace, comfort, and joy in Him. In our service to Him. My best advice for those who are lonely is to know you are not alone. Find ways to serve others during this Christmas season. It is in your service you find the true meaning, not only of Christmas, but in what being as Christian is really all about. It is also in service we realize we are never alone as long as we have Jesus.
Just in the past couple of weeks I've had the amazing privilege to serve in so many ways… I filled up 2 shoe boxes with all kinds of goodies for 2 special children in the Dominican Republic who might not otherwise have Christmas. (My church sent over 160 boxes.) I also helped a 79 year old woman who is widowed and her son is in prison have Christmas. A group of us took her bowling and showered her with much needed gifts like a blanket, heater, gloves, scarf and more. Just this past week I served on a music ministry team that went to a local prison and performed a concert to share the love of Christ during this holiday season. I also drove a couple of hours away with my boyfriend to take a friend in need out to lunch. My heart broke for him as he shared his pain with us. We broke bread and prayed together. It was important to us that he knew he was not alone.
I don't share all this with you to brag or boast – not at all. But I merely want to show you just how easy it is to give - not just material things - but to give of yourself and of your time. I know I am richly blessed. I am not in need of any material thing in this world. I have everything I could possibly need - I have a roof over my head, I have a car to drive to work, I have a job, I have food to eat, I have friends and family… and most of all – I have Jesus.
As difficult as this Christmas season may be for you because you are alone let me remind you that you are not alone. You have the promise of God's Word that He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Here is some advice for those who are alone this Christmas season. Let the Lord use YOU to bring His hope, His love, to someone else who may be alone this Christmas season.
And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple—I assure you: He will never lose his reward!" Matthew 10:42 (HCSB)
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Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
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