Good morning

"Good morning!" One of my coworkers greeted me as I walked in the door. I wasn't even able to muster up a grin.

"Or not so good..."she added.

I felt bad. I couldn't hide that, in fact, it had not been a good morning. But as I turned the corner to my office, I realized I had a choice to make.

It's not always easy. Doggoneit, I know it's hard. Some days are easier than others. And some days are so darn tough you can't even fake it. I get it. I've been there, too, and I'm not exempt from returning there without a moment's notice. 

It is so easy for me to be consumed by the moment and wrapped up in my emotions that I can't even think straight, let alone realize there are others struggling and worse off than my own situation. And all over again I'm reminded I have a choice to make.

There are some who are too sick to get out of bed and enjoy Christmas. There are some too broke to have to be faced with buying gifts. There are some too alone to enjoy a party. There are some too broken-hearted to find joy in the season. There are some so deep and so dark in the pit of despair that no amount of Christmas lights could brighten their world.

Joy? Gone. Peace? Missing. Hope? Certainly not. Noel? More like no way. Glad tidings? Ha. Much like my greeting this morning.

Do you have reason to celebrate? Maybe, maybe not. But I cannot discount the fact that you, me, and all of us have a reason to have hope. It's not the same as celebrating. Just because you don't feel like putting up the tree, or can't afford to buy presents, or are too sick to care...doesn't mean you can't have hope. Hope is what gives you something to look forward to no matter how bad things are right in front of you.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:10

He came to give us life. And not just a troublesome, worrisome, empty, lonely, desperate life. No. He came for us to have abundant life - life to the fullest. The fallen world and its sin-sick offerings are what take away the joy and destroy life. But none of us are beyond the reach of a Sovereign, loving, all knowing God and the perfect plan He made for us to have abundant life. Does it change our current situation? Not always, and certainly not always immediately. Does it replace our sadness with joy? Sometimes, other times not. Does it fill the void, stand in the gap of the loneliness, pull us from the pit, pay our bills, make us well? You know the answer as well as I do...


Things don't always make sense...and when that happens it can only be the result of that which seeks to steal your joy and rob you of any of the blessings God has planned for your life. And so you, too, have a choice. Fake it all you want, but that's not doing anyone any good. It's okay to be honest about how you feel and what you're facing. It's acceptable to admit the state you're in and the help you may need. Whatever you're facing or dealing with, I pray it won't take away your hope. The hope we've been given that yes, in this life we will have troubles, but we also have hope in the assurance that He came and overcame the world. (John 16:33)

And that is enough for me to say,it is a good morning!