Art by Christina Jarmolinski, used by permission
When I read today’s entry from Brennan Manning’s Reflections for Ragamuffins my jaw about hit the floor. His message could not be more fitting than it is this Christmas, when so many suffer and so little makes sense. I had to post it in case it might touch someone who struggles to hold onto hope during this holiday season:
“Christmas is the promise that the God who came in history and comes daily in mystery will one day come in glory. God is saying in Jesus that in the end everything will be all right. Nothing can harm you permanently, no suffering is irrevocable, no loss is lasting, no defeat is more than transitory, no disappointment is conclusive.
Jesus did not deny the reality of suffering, discouragement, disappointment, frustration and death; he simply stated that the Kingdom of God would conquer all of these horrors, that the Father’s love is so prodigal that no evil could possibly resist it.”
–Reflections for Ragamuffins, Harper San Francisco
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelation 21:4
Hello – I searched and found it. Thanks for the post. Kate Colin
New design is looking great!
Lovely. I think of the acronym for fear… Forgetting Everything’s All Right. Thanks for the reminder this morning.
Love your blog Heather, so glad I found it, and you. Very real, very refreshing without trying to be
Heather, Just like many others..I so needed this today..Thank YOU..:D
Dolores
Ohhhh. A gift. Thank you.
I needed this, I need this, I so need this right now. Thank you for taking the time to send this out. And thank you Lord that I came in this direction, drawn by the Spirit. There is great comfort here. Merry Christmas my friend. You are a treasure to me. I long to meet you IRL, I just know it will be. Joy to You and Joy to the world, Elizabeth (I love your new design)
And joy to you, too! Thanks so much for this kind note. I feel the same way about you, Elizabeth–we need to meet IRL. But isn’t it amazing how real an online friendship can be? Love it. I treasure readers like you who talk back to me now and then. Merry Christmas!
“the Kingdom of God would conquer all of these horrors” — outstanding!
Yes, it’s a great quote isn’t it? I need this reminder continually. So great of you to stop by, Bob. H
Thank you Heather, for your words this year and when you bring to light powerful words of others as well. This post is perfect for today and everyday. Love to you and Dave, Rebecca.
Rebecca! So great to see your name here. Dave was just asking me if we’d connected lately. We both miss you so much. Give lots of hugs and love to your family this Christmas. Wish we were there. Thanks so much too for all your support. Love you, sweet friend.
i just accidentally deleted someone’s comment who was saying how muh they needed this, it’s been a rough year… I am SO sorry. PLEASE repost your comment if you see this.
Reblogged this on dabneyland and commented:
This post from a fellow blogger says it all.
Thanks so much, Dabney! It was so great to talk with you last week. I’m grateful for the repost.
So powerful … thanks.
Amen.
How did you know, Heather, that this is exactly what I needed to hear today?
I’m so glad, Michelle. It was what I needed, too–even though my own life is okay right now, when I look around me… yikes and heavy sighs and so good to remember. Dave and I have this little habit of turning to each other and asking, “Is it going to be okay?” It always is.