Christmas in War

Dear Readers,

I’m tired as I sit down to write this afternoon. My week has been filled with activities to keep little boys occupied and content, as well as preparations for Christmas. Cookies are baked and iced. Pies are awaiting tomorrow’s big dinner. Presents are wrapped. And the house is…well, as clean as it’s going to be for now.

I’ve spent years praying for a house in which to host holidays. This is our second Christmas here. And although it is just a rental, it is big enough to invite in friends and family. And I love it. So this evening (December 24th), we’ll have our family gathering. Our two married daughters are with their in-laws this holiday, but I still have my other three children, plus my own in-laws. Then tomorrow, we’ll host extended family. Precious times, for sure.

But as much as I want to take these few minutes to rest, I just can’t. The blog that was supposed to run today hasn’t made it to my inbox yet. The urgency is not that another article be published on the website today. The urgency is for the one who was to write. She has not had an opportunity to do so because she is in the midst of political unrest and an attempted coup of the government where she is serving. Her ministry - and the people it involves - are very near to the fighting. The danger is real and imminent.

So far as I have heard, they are safe for now. God has protected and intervened, even sending them military help. I know He will continue to watch over and help them, giving wisdom to the leadership of the project and, as He did in the Bible, confusing and blinding the enemy.

But still, think about spending your Christmas in fear, wondering if you will awake to the sunshine or to the barrel of a gun. How would you choose to celebrate this holiday if you were uncertain of even one tomorrow?

This post was unplanned, and therefore, not very eloquent or long. But I ask you to please uphold this dear lady in your prayers. Beg God to protect her and those she is serving. Plead with the Almighty for the enemy to disband and this war to end. And above all, let’s pray for the Father to be glorified and for souls to be saved and drawn closer to Him through it all.

Lord willing, we will soon hear from our friend. She will hopefully share answers to prayer and instances when God’s hand was obvious. May we then rejoice with her over all that God has done.

Merry Christmas.