Third Sunday in Advent - 2014

Rejoice!
2014.12.14ThirdAdvent01
The Third Sunday of Advent is often called the sunday of Joy, of Journeying, of Repentance.  In some places, it is the Sunday of Rejoicing.

This has been a difficult week, and to think of rejoicing, even harder.  A dear friend and co-worker from Arizona took her life this week.  Everyone who knew her is devastated and overwhelmed as this was a lovely lady whom all loved.  She had a kind and gentle heart, was warm and loving to all and always had a smile for everyone.  That she was in such pain or desperation as to take her own life seems incongruent with the person that we knew.  

This is also the second Sunday of December, which has lately become a day to light a candle in remembrance of the children of bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings.   Working in the field that I do, while there is much joy, sometimes there is great sadness as well.  The grief these family bear is so great, and too often, unacknowledged by their family and friends.    

How does one find the ability to rejoice in the midst of such sadness and grief?  

In the case of my friend, I know that she loved Jesus deeply.  I believe that Jesus welcomed her into his arms and held her in the depths of her sorrow and despair until that hurt was gone and replaced by the light of his love for her.  Though she will be deeply missed by those she left behind, and though I do not understand her actions or what it was that led her to take her life, I do know that she was a child of God and what greater joy can there be than to know that she is with her Father God and at peace?

We rejoice because we know that:

God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

In this, the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
1John 4:9


Christ is our Joy!  It is Jesus the Christ in whom we rejoice! 

Due to a busy week at work, and preparing for our annual Christmas party, this weeks Pincushion is not yet complete.  I will be sure to share photos of it and list a new giveaway contest when it is finished!

The winner of the Second Advent Pincushion is Flower Lady*!   Please send me your full name and mailing address!

FYI, in order to choose a winner, I remove any comments from previous winners, count only one comment from each commenter and then number all the entries in the order which they were received.  To choose the winner, I use a random number generator and the first number chosen is the winner!

*The original winner did not respond, so I have changed the winner to the runner up! 

Comments

So sorry about your friend Lisa. My husband's ex step sister-in-law (his step brother died several years ago) took her own life a couple of weeks ago. It seems it is never someone you would expect to be that depressed. Life is delicate and precious.
Renee said…
Lisa, I am so very sorry for your loss.
Dear Lisa ~ I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. I loved how you described her being welcomed to heaven by Jesus and held until all of her pain and anguish left her and she was filled with the peace of His indescribable love.

It just goes to show that we do not know people like we think we do. Things are kept locked inside.

May Jesus bless her family and friends with the knowledge that she is with Him and all is well.

Love and hugs to you ~ FlowerLady
Anonymous said…
Your blog postings brighten my day,!
Thanks you and Merry Christmas,
Rhonda
msmo said…
Oh Lisa, I am so sorry for your loss. My heart and love go out to you.
traderslostart said…
I so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. I am sure it is devastating for you and especially for her family.
Sad to think that her pain was so great that she chose to end her life. But, she is in a better place, where she will rejoice with the Lord, and her pain will be gone.
God Bless you and yours.
I just decided to go back to see who the winner was of your second pincushion was and it's me a runner up. How thrilling!

FlowerLady

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