When you think of the sounds of Christmas, you may think of the gentle guitar tones of “Silent Night” or the wistful notes of “Silver Bells.”
I have young kids rushing through my house regularly so I get to hear other sounds. Like Big Mouth Billy Bass, for example.
I had hoped yet again this Christmas to find out how rich Christmas could be without this rubber fish flopping on a wooden plaque while emitting holiday songs.
It was not meant to be.
The Ghost of Christmas Gifts Past
A seven-year-old boy uncovered Big Mouth Billy Bass in a box of hidden Christmas ornaments. You haven’t lived ’til you have seen a fake fish sing “Jingle Bells” with his tail flipping in time. Punctuated by “YeeHaw.” I blame my sister for Billy being in my garage.
The seven-year-old wanted to know how Billy worked and why I didn’t have this fish mounted front and center already.
The Fatal Mistake
One of my character flaws is not being able to think of a misdirection quickly enough.
I told him Billy was a nuisance. That didn’t deter him. I said it was goofy. He didn’t care. So I added, “It doesn’t work because it needs batteries.”
I know, I know. That was not a smart answer. But this thing was so old that I assumed I didn’t have the right batteries in the house.
The Encore
I was wrong. He found four fresh C batteries in the back of the junk drawer.
Billy Bass rejoined the world of the living.
When it comes to Christmas animals, one time is never enough. Kids push the red button so Billy sings over and over and over until the adults smash the gadget to smithereens. Theoretically.
Christmas is always a memorable time of the year. Especially with children around.
This narrow gate before you – the one covered with the thorns of grief and pain – looks impossible to pass. You may long for an easier way, but for now, this is the way in front of you.
Step Through
The gate is narrow and prickly. Step through it.
The road is rocky and the wind whips your face, slicing your cheeks with blasts of icy air. Step through it.
In this world is much trouble. This world is broken. But I offer a new world to those who are truly mine.
Love God, and love others as yourself.
You Don’t Walk This Hard Road Alone
There is nothing in your life that is harder than what Jesus faced. He understands our sorrow, our pain, our loneliness better than we know ourselves.
The Lord promises that He won’t leave you.
He will never forsake you.
This world is difficult but trust God. You aren’t asked to walk this rocky road alone.
With His help, you can step through the hardship and the pain. With His help, you will heal and overcome.
Prayer for Strength in Grief:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the strength you give us to overcome hardships, including the pain and heaviness of grief. Please remind us daily of your presence and your healing touch. Amen.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
When grief tears at your heart, God promises to hold you close.
You grieve, but you will never forget your loved one. When tears come – and they will – let God hold you close.
Tears come because of love. Let regrets and loss flow freely. Memories crowd your mind, but see them as gifts you were given.
You were changed by your time with your loved one. The tearing apart in death is like a knife driven deep in your heart.
Honoring the One You Loved
Don’t let the pain overcome you. Instead, remember the courage and the faith and the kindness of your loved one. Recall what you loved about that person.
If tears come, let them flow. But let them also be tears of healing as you lean into God’s presence.
How God Holds You Close in Grief
Imagine God holding you close and stroking your hair, whispering words of love and comfort.
Healing is carried to you by God’s kindness. You will bear scars, but you will walk again.
Trust God to carry you in His loving arms as you move forward in your journey of healing.
He will never fail you.
A Prayer For You
Heavenly Father, there are times when we ache in our loss. And some days are better than others. But we trust Your promises of love and comfort. We believe Your words of healing and of holding. Thank You that You are close in our pain, in our tears, in our grief. And thank You for the newness You promise us. Amen.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Stop and listen to the breeze whistling through the branches.
Hear the music in the air? That’s creation singing praises to God.
In your grief, you may not have noticed the songs of praise. Loss can pull your ears into dullness.
For just a moment, step into the melody of new life.
Taking Halting Steps in a Broken World
You may stumble as you grieve. You will limp in pain, but keep taking steps.
God’s plan was never for humans to suffer death, but in the brokenness of this world’s rebellion, it happens.
You live in a broken world, and hard things come.
Search for hope despite shattered places.
Discover joy among fallen rocks.
Uncover purpose each morning as you choose to depend on God.
Let God Renew You
There is newness in each day.
Grief seems to have splintered your life, but grief doesn’t have the last word.
Our Heavenly Father does.
God gives new life and new strength.
Along with creation, listen to the music in the air and remember the Lord’s love for you.
Let Him renew you.
A Prayer For You
Father God, thank You for Your healing touch on our lives. You know the pain of grief, yet you draw us into your new life and into your beautiful creation. You promise to renew our heart and we are grateful for that hope. Amen
I’ve flown three times in the last year, which included my adventure with TSA and the protein powder. You can read that story here.
When I learned that there was a TSA app that might give me the inside info for my next flight, I was all over that. Maybe I could avoid getting patted down again.
And down the rabbit hole I went, opening the list of what I can bring. I was thinking twenty to thirty items on their list.
Oh, foolish me. There are almost two hundred. I think. I didn’t count.
Did you know you can take artificial skeleton bones in your carry-on bag and your checked bag?
Love the Lanes?
No bowling balls or bowling pins in your carry-on bag. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody try to bring on a bowling ball or bowling pins. Maybe I need to fly more.
Speaking of common sense (or Captain Obvious), dynamite is out both for your carry-on and your checked bags. Same for fireworks.
And don’t let your kids bring a foam toy sword in their carry-on bag. Do they hope that cuts down on sibling skirmishes?
Waiting On Burgers
No hoverboards. Hummus is OK, but ice picks are not. No word on cheeseburgers.
You can’t take a kirpan in your carry-on bag even though it’s considered an instrument of mercy, grace, empathy, and goodwill. It still looks like a sharp dagger.
No realistic replicas of explosives in your carry-on or your checked bags. Rocks are OK.
You can carry on your vacuum robot, but don’t even think about bringing the airbag out of your vehicle.
Inviting Rosie
I did notice there was no comment about protein powder. I’m flying in a few months, but I’m considering skipping the protein powder and bringing along Rosie the robot vacuum instead.
TSA says she’s safer than I am with a scoop of whey.
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