Author: bonniejeancarr

     This time of year our ears, whatever they tune into, are bombarded with strains of good cheer.   However, what we hear is not always to what our hearts truly listen.   The world echoes the illusionary chorus that all dwell in being merry, bright and receiving gifts a plenty.   Commercially fooled into thinking absolutely everyone, but themselves, dwells in complete bliss, many succumb to the perceived reality that only they are finding life filled with coal.  

     The glitter of “everything’s perfect”, which surrounds our December existence, is a decoration of an external season and not always the seasoning of our internal selves.   The discrepancy between what the world shouts and what our hearts cry out could help explain why sadness, let down with personal status quo and depression run rapid this time of year.  True self-esteem and appreciation for our many blessings (ie, not only for all we have, but also for all we have not) somehow disappear.   This doesn’t have to be.   What we need to do is realize there are two Christmas stories, and one must out rank the other.   Santa says we all can live happily ever “here”.   The Nativity proclaims ours is the gift of living happily ever “after”.

    Materialism pushes fairytale Santa and your list of wants sparkly wrapped under your Christmas tree.   The Nativity pulls us back to the gift of salvation, swaddled in a drab blanket and placed within a lowly manger.   Santa makes us presently happy and owners of many new objects.   The Nativity makes us forever grateful and in possession of the one and only greatest gift of all – eternal salvation via a newborn Babe.

    Keeping up with the revelry of Santa is good fun but exhausting.   Often, it ends up revealing how our true-to-life, 365 days a year, existence falls short of the few seasonal weeks of party celebration.  Our daily lives, beyond the December calendar, are anything but “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.   Let Nothing You Dismay”.

    Stopping to rest in the peaceful reminiscence of Christ’s serene birth is revitalizing and often re-energizes our revelation of the Christmas gift God’s love offers each of us.   Twelve months a year, our lives have everything we need “For Jesus Christ, Our Savior, Was Born On Christmas Day”.

     If we look at our families, friends and selves through Santa’s eye, the tally is either naughty or nice.   With “nice” implying worthy of all we want, who can, honestly, claim this merit; but Santa’s list and sack suggest it’s in our power.   If we see our families, friends and selves through the Nativity’s eye, we recognize all of us are imperfect humans, who have received God’s greatest gift because we are incapable of giving it to ourselves or others.

     Before I sound like Ebenezer Scrooge, or get misconstrued, let me clearly say, we all need some of Santa’s merriment and carefree celebration.   However, we also need to scale back Santa’s bright, blinding lights and be led forward by the heavenly Christmas star.  The negative happens when Santa’s bling solely abounds, and we begin to believe it is our soul’s measuring rod for what our lives (day in/day out) should equal.   Trying to measure up to what Santa bequeaths our happiness should be is unrealistic, to say the least, and depressingly out of reach for all of us.   Trying to measure up to what God decrees our lives can be is hard but, with His grace, attainable.

     As Christmas morn draws near, I wish you all Santa’s jolly gaiety and longed for gifts beneath your tree.   As Christmas night comes upon you, may you rest in the gift of waking each and every tomorrow knowing because Christ was born that long ago Nativity, your life is filled with “Tidings of Comfort and Joy”.

     ‘Tis the season when all are jolly, or is it?   Fairy tale says Santa is coming to town.   However, many feel anything but jolly and that Santa, definitely, is not coming via their chimney or any other entrance to their domain.   Down on luck and life in general, sadness fills their mantle stockings.

     So, are downtrodden human beings anomalies to the Christmas season or central characters in the original Christmas story.   I debate the latter.

     I write this post not for the season’s ho, ho, ho spirited readers but from my soul to those whose hearts are crying woe, woe, woe.  Journey back with me to the beginning.   Christmas did not originate with a fast flying sleigh, a stuffed-full bag or a magical Santa.   It arrived by way of a slow moving donkey, an empty manger, and God’s miraculous infant birth.  

     The story of Christmas often centers on Jesus being born, the shepherds and the wise men.   Little, if any, focus is placed on Joseph and Mary.   Maybe, herein lies a message so needed for 21^st Century struggling human beings.  

   Joseph – Have you ever wondered what he thought and felt that first Christmas season?   From the heavenly aspect, he knew the honor given him when chosen to be the Christ Child’s earthly father.   None the less, what about his human, manly, feelings?   The best he could give the Divine Son entrusted him was a stable shared with lowly animals.   His child’s Godly hands would feed multitudes, but Joseph’s human hands could only rest his heavenly King in a food trough for the livestock.   Not even that much could Joseph offer his wife.   Straw upon the mud floor was all he could provide.   Maybe, Joseph even hung his head and despaired over trudging his wife and Son across the barren land just so they could be counted; and he doubted, if they, his loved ones, could count on him.

     Mary —  Most likely, she was jubilant God’s son was born from her, yet also, bearing fear and guilt for all Joseph was enduring.   Though God’s chosen one to parent His Son, was she afraid she had, or would, fail her earthly family?   Did she struggle with the gossip surrounding her carrying this Child?   Was she doubting she could be the mother her Son of God would need?

     Both Joseph and Mary, being human, probably felt alone and very much afraid.   Did they struggle  over being so far away from home and family?   It was a silent night, when maybe they longed for the harmony of encouraging voices singing strains of love and reassurance.   Sound familiar???

     To any, and all, in anguish this Holyday season, please, open your minds, hearts and souls to this often overlooked proof of each and every one of our worth, purpose and belonging to God’s family.   God would never have entrusted His Son to anyone but the best of human parents.   God could have made Joseph and Mary perfect.   He chose not to.   Instead, God guided them through each shortcoming, tribulation and perceived failure they experienced.  If God did not expect, or demand, Joseph and Mary to be perfect, neither does He hold us to this impossible standard.   What God does do is stand with Joseph, Mary and each of us in every dark moment we encounter – even if the darkness is the result of our own doing.   Humans might desert.   God does not.   In our greatest loneliness, we are not alone.   God stands behind us with His hands bracing us.   God, also, stands before us.   His arms are open wide, ready to embrace us if only we choose to fall into them. 

     To any, and all, who hurt this Holyday season, I share one additional truth.   While Santa can’t bring you what you want, God will give you what you need – inner peace, self-esteem, forgiveness if necessary, and hope. 

     Now, to all my spirited ho, ho, ho readers, I mean my words when I proclaim I’m not the leader.   We all stand side by side on our UPLIFTED IN A BROKEN DOWN WORLD journey.   Thus, in fellowship we have a challenge to achieve.   We are surrounded by family, friends and even strangers who need to know someone (or maybe just anyone) cares and prays for them.   Every one of us can be that someone.   A kind word, an understanding nod, an encouraging hug, a silent plea to God on their behalf – all have the power to help penetrate another’s darkness.

     May we all remember that just as God, centuries ago, placed the first Christmas star to light a pitch black world, His light still stands.  No matter our joy or despair, the gift of God’s light and love is ours to accept.  

     God bless, guard and guide us all.

     A daddy once took his child by the hand and said, “Let me show you how to journey to a destination I hope you will know how to find, all by yourself, when you are big and tall.”   

     “Should we pack a suitcase?” asked the little one.

     “Not needed”, said the daddy, “for it’s not what you carry in your hands, but in your heart, that dresses you for the special place we’ll visit.”

     “But Daddy,” questioned the little one, “is there time for us to travel anywhere before your smart phone makes us stop?”

     “No problem, my child,” replied the daddy, “where I’m taking you, time is not subject to outside interruptions.”

     “Where are we headed, Daddy, huh!!!”  quizzed the child, “North, South, East or West???”

     “None of the mentioned,” stated the wise parent.

     “Come on, Daddy; if we don’t go in any direction, we don’t go anywhere at all,” retorted the child.

     “On the contrary,” interjected the daddy, “we are going to travel the most important direction of all – the direction ‘within’ that enables us to ‘reach out’.  You see, my child, our destination is the journey of learning to help others.   As a child you must learn the way to travel ‘within’ your heart and soul so that when you are grown, you will know the way to ‘reach out’ and share your time, talent and treasure.”

     Strange isn’t it?   We take such great care to teach our children the way to school, home, a friend’s house, the basketball court, or swimming pool; but we often are too busy to teach our children the way to giving of themselves to help another’s need.   How easy we overlook that charity begins at home, and the way to share the lessons born at home should begin as a child.  

     Is the fraction of a small allowance a child learns to share, a tiny portion of an hour a child extends his helping hand, or a little one’s own conceived expression of caring and sharing, insignificant or magnificent???

   Exploring the way to the stars can wait till children turn adults; but navigating the way to bring the heavens down to earth can’t.   The journey of learning to help others is best begun in childhood. 

Thank you daddies, everywhere, whose love and wisdom cares enough to share.

     Thirty-five years ago today was one of the most blessed and cherished days of my life.   From start to finish, I remember each moment with my heart still overflowing with love, gratitude and the vow to never take for granted the gift of this dream come true.   No, this post is not about me personally glancing back in nostalgia.  Rather, it finds me facing forward with both hope and concern.    

     My words are penciled not with criticism.   They reflect only a longing to wake us all to what our hearts so essentially need to cling to for lasting happiness; but our fingertips, too often, let slip away.

     My heart rejoices when it witnesses deeply giving and thriving love between a husband and wife.   My heart is pained when it perceives so many marriages, over the passage of time, letting love diminish to a tally card marking wrongs, not rights.   Forgotten is the newlywed proclamation: “You might not be perfect, but you are perfect for me”.   My heart is shattered when it watches a couple throw away what many treasured and had, unwantedly, snatched away.

     If only we all lived under the wisdom of not holding our loved one to standards we want let go of for ourselves.   Maybe then, our land would abound with couples, everywhere, understanding that on earth our dreams come true in a flawed world of flawed people.   Though holding onto “our wedding dream come true” is gripped with challenge and so easy to let slip away, it is the lasting way to love our spouse till death do us part – and even beyond.

     This reflection comes with a wish.   Let your better half’s imperfections be a window you look through and what is perfect about them a mirror that constantly reflects your ever growing love for each other.    

From me on imperfect earth, to you in perfect heaven – Happy Anniversary, Hubby!!!

     The world is shouting celebrate and party; but so many souls are crying, hurt, lost and all alone. The Bible’s book of Job is more than a story about a good man who experienced underserved loss and suffering.   It is a picture of God’s reminder that He not only was present always, His presence formed all things, controls all things and loves all things.   Being past, present and future, God knows all things.   Our situations are never foreign to, nor hidden from, our Father in heaven.  He cares, and He cares deeply about each and every one of us.  

     Caught in the snares of life’s challenges, we are not, on our own, powerful enough to push ourselves out of our tribulations’ ruts or to pull ourselves up from defeatism’s quicksand.   Only God can do this, and God stands ready and waiting to do so.   All He asks of us is to throw ourselves, in any condition at all, into His comforting hands.   We must make this life saving leap knowing God, most likely, will not give the answers to our problems but the answer to our happiness.   We must choose to continue living for the calling of our dreams rather than to die from the screaming of our nightmares.   This is not easy.   It is downright nearly impossible.   However, living with future hope in our heart, as an example of Christian belief, is the way to get beyond the hell of worldly battles.  God waits to carry us into tomorrow’s promises.  We just need to ride out our storms in the boat of His cupped hand.  This is the vision I saw.

     My cherished family and I were in the midst of one of our greatest storms.   I discerned the vision of God’s hand holding our near broken bodies.   God’s hand was cupped so as to form a boat.   We were being flung from side to side; but God’s hand would simply move ever so gently to keep us from being tossed into the undertow and currents just waiting to devour us.   Yes, we were being bruised and slammed up and down; but we were safe inside the boated hand of God.   Then, I envisioned God’s hand lifting up from the turbulent water.   The storms were so far beneath us now.   God so lovingly and supportively then straightened His hand; and suddenly, God’s hand had become a launching pad.   Gently, God’s breath gave wind, and wing; and we each took flight, soaring to our individual God chosen destinations and purposes.

     God’s cupped hand is not meant for only my family.   It waits for you and yours, too.    I pray you trust and believe enough to leap aboard.   “See I will not forget you.  I have carved you on the palm of My hand.”  (Isaiah 49:15) 

The Christmas Season has begun.   Yesterday, Black Friday, we shopped.   Santa is coming!!!  Tomorrow, the First Sunday of Advent, churches of all denominations prepare.   Emmanuel is coming!!!

     A dilemma remains.   Is this solely a holiday season or “soul”y a Holyday season???

     Holiday versus Holyday — what distinguishes the choice?   The answer is found by examining the center — both the center of each word and the center of our hearts.

     Holiday — its center is “I”.

     Holyday — its center is “Y”.

No other difference distinguishes the two.   However, this slight outer variance hugely determines the vast, essence defining disparity between the two.  

     “I” centers in the declaration of worldly me as the center of the season. 

     “Y” centers in the explanation of Heaven’s originating whY, or reason, for the season.

     “I” — endless strings of blinking lights spotlighting gatherings centered in the giving and celebrating of the material.       

     “Y” — one solo star pointing the way to a new born Baby, so poor He was birthed in a lonely stable; yet, so inheritably giving that His coming bestowed on us the greatest gifts of all – forgiveness and salvation.

     Are “I” and “Y” meant to exclude the other?   Don’t think so.   Think heaven rings with joy as Santa shares his bag and people come together to celebrate as family.   Nevertheless, think heaven cries tender, grateful tears when both the young and old unwrap, and center in, the true meaning of the CHRISTmas celebration.

     In each of our lives, does the meaning between “I” and “Y” have and “equal” or a “greater than” sign between each other?   Herein, lies the defining meaning of our CHRISTmas Season.   If we choose an “equal” sign, not just our spelling, but also, our focus is holiday.   If we choose to place the Child in the manger on the wide-open side of the “greater than” sign, then both our spelling and our inner core is holyday.

     Malls around the world ring out with strains of “Here comes Santa Claus”.   Churches around the universe cry out with choruses of “O come, O Come, Emmanuel”.   One’s center is “I”.   The other’s center is “Y”.   Where you place your center determines holiday or holyday as both the spelling and meaning of this celebration in your life. 

     God bless, guard and guide us all.

     As a hope-filled “look out world, here I come” twenty-something year old, I began my Thanksgiving tradition.   Determined to share real Holyday meaning, before commercialism could penetrate the season, an inspiring message and symbolic ornament became my Thanksgiving gift to those who touched my life with love, encouragement, wisdom and challenge.   Throughout the almost half century of my tradition, I have realized the most priceless gift is not what I offer but what each and every heart and soul on my Thanksgiving List has given me.

     This Thanksgiving morn, I start a new journey; but I step out not alone.   Actually, I open this door accompanied by great testimony and tribute to those on my Thanksgiving List.   I feel so selfish to solely keep holding onto all the inspiration, guidance and loving loyalty they are to me when the whole wide world desperately needs the “soul treasures” their beings personify.

     Thus, my blog, Uplifted in a Broken Down World, is born to introduce any, and all, who need hope to where it can be found.  For you see, I do believe the lessons of caring hearts and upright character overflowing from my Thanksgiving List have the power needed to change our wayward world’s course, pass through the storms and drop anchor in a hope-filled port.

     Not the momentary famous or infamous will be highlighted in my scrapbook blog.   On the contrary, the pages will spotlight the lasting power and inspiration the down to earth stars on my Thanksgiving List have enabled me to see and believe — or on occasion, to believe and then see.

     To each and every name on my Thanksgiving List, feel my gratitude and love.   So many of you, I no longer see in person; but your place is engraved forever in my heart.   I have not, nor will I ever, forget all you planted in my life and cared enough to help keep alive when hard challenges were fought.   My prayer today, and always, is that you, each and every one, believe in your God-created self and your God given goodness, strength and purpose as deeply as you helped instill mine in me.

     And to any newcomer who wishes to join my blog, Welcome!!!   Please know I do not claim the role of leader.   This is a side by side stroll down an uncharted path whose route is not a temporary stop over but the enduring destination of being Uplifted in a Broken Down World.  

     God bless, guard and guide us all…