By Brenda Cannon Henley
For those of us that have simply “kept on going,” this year, God knows where we are and how we got here. Better than that truth, He knows His plans for us and what He is accomplishing in and through us according to Jeremiah’s writing. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

I have read and listened to more people saying that the 12 months of 2019 have combined to make this year the most difficult of their life. For whatever reason on a personal level, it has been a very hard year for many.

As tears roll unashamedly down faces, I’ve heard of personal illness, death of loved ones, personal rejection by family and friends, loss of income, infidelity, abandonment, loss of physical properties, belongings, and in one case, valuable jewelry. Life has simply been turned upside down for many and the confused and dazed looks on faces and in eyes supplement the stories far better than a photograph or drawing.

I have been writing for more than 50 years and hopefully offering hope based on Scripture and sound Bible teaching, so therefore, I communicate with many people from all walks of life. It is my joy to deal with, pray for, and help my friends as I can. I laugh at times and say my phone calls, emails, texts, and visits are a combination of the life of our local hairstylist, barber, counselor, teacher, and priest. Some people have listening ears and a face that seems to say, “Tell me your story. I really do want to hear it and know you.”

That mindset has served me well all these many years of interviewing folks and writing their stories. To get the real story from a person with heart and soul, the writer must first get them to like and trust him enough to share their honest thoughts. Those are the stories that change lives and win awards.

While Christmas is a time of great happiness for some, many truly suffer through the holidays. Children are abused and hurt more during this time of the year than any other, according to statistics. Money is tight for many. Families fight and are stressed to the breaking point. Hearts are broken and the tears fall.

Ghosts of Christmases past haunt the mind, expectations not met cut to the core, and hope is dimmed in once bright eyes.

A word of advice – If you are sitting on top of the world during this time of the year, have money in the bank, and good things are pouring in, just remember situations change, and your world can be torn apart in the blink of an eye. Everyone does not have a full refrigerator or freezer, beautiful gifts under the tree, bright, colorful clothing to wear, and a tank full of gas.

People doing without are not always lazy, indifferent, or live with constant bad choices. We cannot know what facts caused the result we see. Be gentle – It could be you in that position next year.

Be kind. Be helpful. Share. Lend a hand. Care. Give. Help bear the load. Love. Recognize.

Merry Christmas to our readers.

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788, or
[email protected]

[12-16-2019]