Someone Is Praying for You

The Black Plague has invaded our house. Okay, I'm exaggerating, but just a little. To say we felt bad seems like a huge understatement: the fevers that wouldn't go away; the dizziness that almost made me wreck the car on the way home from delivering letters to Santa at the mall; the fatigue that kept me from buying Christmas presents for my own children (here's 50 bucks, kid, have fun!); and the coughing -- the never-ending coughing. We do not, and have never, smoked, but you wouldn't know it since we all have a smoker's cough -- the one where you think at any moment you might literally cough up a lung.

During this lovely illness, I kept thinking that it was ruining our Christmas celebration. We had to stay home, missing out on activities that we look forward to each year. (The only plus was that we watched seven Christmas movies in two days!) It was so hard to watch my husband and children suffer during this "most wonderful time of the year." Then it hit me . . .

What about all of the people who have lost loved ones in months and years past and miss them terribly during the holidays? What about those who are visiting loved ones who cannot even recognize them anymore? And those who are nursing terminally ill family members? What about those who have been hurt and abused by their loved ones? And those who are still stuck in those situations?

So to those who are struggling with any of these situations or many more that I cannot even fathom, please know that there is someone lifting you up to the Lord this Christmas season. While many are singing Christmas carols, going to parties, and shopping, you are lost in your pain. Please know that someone is praying for you. Better yet, please know that Someone is there to comfort you and give you hope in the midst of your pain.

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort." (2 Cor. 1:3)