Because of Christmas There is Hope

One of my favorite (and most needed) Scriptures this season may sound a bit peculiar for Christmas, but I think it is fitting in view of the crush of events and unrelenting busyness of this month.

“You were tired out by the length of your road,
Yet you did not say, ‘It is hopeless.’
You found renewed strength,
Therefore you did not faint.” Isaiah 57:10

I am a bit drained from treating Bryson’s eyes with meds 10+ times per day. This has gone on for more than three years now, after his first cornea replacement to restore the sight in his left eye which had been blinded through an insidious disease known as Keratoconus. His next eye surgery (on that same left eye) is scheduled for January 18th, after which the right eye to be scheduled (Lord willing) in May.

Recently Bryson’s wrist was slightly fractured from a fall, either in the tub these past weeks or from falling while playing softball way back in the summer. I feel pretty bad that I may have missed the extent of this injury in the summer (the doctor said it is hard to tell), but I had concentrated on the injury he sustained in his ankle and foot during that summer fall (having the leg X-rayed, but not the wrist). The bottom line is that we still don’t know which fall caused the wrist injury.

And as if Christmas season wasn’t busy enough, amidst the crush of events this season, Bryson’s doggy, Dakota (still the Queen of our home) has been struggling to walk, and is now on 3 meds. Our great Vet is doing his best to keep her energy up and her pain down, and I am doing the best I can to awake to her barking many nights in the wee hours of the morning to get her out (wow is it cold at 3 a.m. in a robe).

I am already a bit weary each day as I continue to battle my way back from massive shoulder surgery which transplanted three cadaver grafts into the shoulder (kind of like Tommy John surgery). I am now 3.5 months into a grueling 6 to 9 month process, and thankful to have worked with a sensational surgeon and the most amazing physical therapists in the field. I am truly blessed.

I am blessed too, that Christmas will never get old in my home (although I am, no doubt, feeling my age). Just about every night in December we watch a Christmas Classic. Tonight was Home Alone. Every night the movie is followed by some wonderful Christmas books (everything from the Golden Books I have been reading Bryson for 3 decades now, to “The Night Before Christmas.”)

And as always happens in our home, the lights on our tree glow ever more brightly each day from December 1st until Christmas … this is, of course, magic … Yes, there is so much to be thankful for.

But amidst all these joys (and amidst the sorrows too) I am most grateful this blessed Season that the very first Christmas ushered in the only Answer we will ever need in response to the Prophet’s quest for “renewed strength.” In fact, the Prophet had already given the Answer the chapter before:

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

If anyone reading this finds himself or herself as weary as I am this Christmas, I encourage you to heed the wonderful words of that Baby who was later revealed as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus always knows how to restore us, in His way and time, if we will come to Him.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Because this Baby King was born into this dark world, there is never, ever a reason to say: “It is hopeless.” Nothing is impossible for Him. Trust Him fully. He will not disappoint you.

Merry Christmas