As I sit here at my desk on Christmas Eve warming my hands on a cup of coffee blazed with the bold statement, “Best Dad Ever” on it, I can’t help but wonder what the new year will bring us.  Obviously, the last two years have been anything but easy.  From raging variants of a virus that have robbed us all of our loved ones to political unrest that led to an insurgence on our nation’s capital. 

You may wonder, what could possibly happen next?  Well, I’ll tell you.  God will happen next.  No matter what transpires He will be with us through it all.  Remember, He loves us so much that He gave us His only son to be sacrificed so all of our sins could be forgiven.  That is a huge give in my opinion to watch your son suffer on the cross, twisting in agony, so you and I could be free of our sins and have eternal life.  

That knowledge alone gives me faith that no matter what happens, God will be with me.  Does that mean there won’t be suffering, sadness, loneliness, or tears here on earth?  No, obviously not.  What it does mean is that He will spin miracles out of our darkest hours which He has personally done for me time and time again. From giving me my baby boy Christian to saving Christian’s mother from cancer by “chance,” He is an amazing and loving God.

Even during the loss of a loved one, try and remember they have gone home to be with Him, a place absent of pain, sadness, or tears.  They are now surrounded by a love, joy, and peace that nothing on earth can bring you. In short, they are wrapped in the arms of Jesus and there is no better place to be.  I think when it is my time to go home I’m never going to stop hugging Jesus at the Pearly Gates and sharing how much I love Him.  Saint Peter is going to have to pull me off of Him saying, “Ok… getting a little Jesus Fan Girlish here…”

No matter what the Devil has up his sleeve for 2022, I know God will be with me and that brings me joy and happiness.  Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,

Roger W. Downes