Always a Room for Me

 "My Father's house has many rooms; I am going there to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2)

Holiday seasons can be a joyous time, filled with pleasant memories and carrying out family traditions. For others, it is a reminder of how lonely and unhappy they are. It is a reminder of facing family wounds that often go unspoken. It brings out the unhealthy patterns of family dynamics that often get played out in ways that leave you feeling misunderstood or just plain angry. Or it highlights your failures at being able to give your children a good Christmas because you have no money to buy them nice things. Perhaps you're too burnt out or stressed to even make time to make the holidays a special time. 

I cannot deny recognizing the special feeling of gift giving, love, and hope during this season. Yet, I also cannot help but to empathize with those who feel alone, with no where to go, no family to enjoy gift giving and feasting. 

It's sad how Christmas is portrayed as fun and family and all that is magical and spectacular.  The real reason for the season is to remember that Jesus came to the earth as a baby to be able to give us life. Even among people, we can feel lonely, but in Christ, we can know that He has a place for us. There are rooms available. He is looking to prepare a place for us to be with Him. He didn't have anyone preparing a nice room for Him when He came to earth. Just a humble manger among animals. 

If I can emanate light, love, belonging, peace, and warmth to others no matter what, I would have followed in my Savior's footsteps. My family is the first to get this, for it is my children who will experience the blessings or lack based on how I love.  I choose love, I choose warmth. I pass this on to my children so they can forever feel the love and belonging that I have for them and that God has for them. 

I am grateful that I have a place and that my children do too. He is preparing that place and I am grateful that there is a place for me and my family to belong.