Email Us Buy Books Weekly Devotion Endorsements Talks

Home
About Writeman
The Author
Monday Morning Devotions
Devotions for the Armchair Quarterback
Book Signings
Speaking Engagements
Newsletter
Stories
Additional Services
Place An Order
Weekly Devotions

Dispelling the Grayness-December 2, 2019

Into this colorful season of the year a little "grayness" will try to creep in. Be prepared.

Monday Morning Devotion-December 2, 2019

 

Dispelling the Grayness

 

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.    Psalm 118:24

 

            As we enter the Christmas season it is a colorful time of the year.  Lots of red and green and multi-colors abound.  Colors that bring brightness into our world. They create feelings of cheer and speak of happiness.  Colors that have a special aura about them.

            It's a season that comes with some of the highest highs of the year.  But, it can also be a time of sorrow and grief as negative circumstances occur as well as sad memories.  Just as those super high feelings of joy can occur, so can some of the lowest of lows bombard us°if we let them occupy our minds.  The lows can turn the colorful season into one of grayness.

            Let's look at a recent example of how the lows can attack and how one young man in the limelight handled them. Tua Tagovailoa, is a 21-year old young man who was living his dream.  Born in Hawaii with a love of sports, especially football, Tua became the starting Quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

            He is still amazed at how he got an offer for a college scholarship to play football 4,203 miles from home.  "I don't know how Coach (Nick) Saban found me all the way in Hawaii from Alabama.  I just thank God he found me and we're here right now."

            That's what he told a national television audience after he had led his team to a national championship (2017).  Remarkably he was an unknown backup quarterback who was called on in desperation in the biggest game of the year and led his team to victory.

            After a stellar year as the starter in 2018, he was being called a Heisman Trophy Candidate and possibly a number one pick in the NFL Draft in 2019.  Then 10 games into the season disaster struck.  Tua was hit on a vicious tackle, while attempting to pass, and crumpled to the ground. He had a dislocated hip and busted nose.  His dreams to be a pro quarterback possibly were wiped out.  His college career possibly ended.

            His colorful dreams could have turned to a deep shade of dark grayness. Here's what Tua said from his wheelchair in a sideline TV interview with ESPN at Bama's first game without him in 2019: "I'm feeling good---you know.  I think first off, I just want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for instilling the Holy Spirit in me, giving me the strength to come and support my teammates.   He then went on to thank the fans, his pastor, his parents and his family for their support and prayers."

            Tua Tagovailoa added: "God has a plan."

            So that's how one person who could have had his grandest dreams dashed responded to the grayness that had unexpectedly descended upon his life.

            That's the formula for a happy life.  Realize each day, as the Psalmist wrote; "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad I it."  That doesn't say anything about whether your road is smooth or rocky.  Every day is one°a new one°with the same Creator.

            The commentary on this verse in the Life Application Bible elaborates on why it's important to think in terms of each day, good, bad or indifferent ones, as being His creation:

            "There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice. Our mood is down our situation is out of hand and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming.  We can relate to the writers of the Psalms who often felt this way.  But no matter how low the psalmists felt they were always honest with God. And as they talked with God their prayers ended in praise.  When you don't feel like rejoicing tell God how you truly feel.  You will find that God will give you a reason to rejoice.  God has given you this day to live and serve Him---be glad."

            Sarah Young writes: "As you rejoice in this day of life, it will yield up to you precious gifts and beneficial training."  The Lord tells us to "Walk with Him along the high road of thanksgiving, and you will find all the delights I have made ready for you."

            She points out that we do live in a world where blessings and sorrow intermingle freely.

If we let the sorrow dominate our thinking it will bring us down.  Grayness settles in and we can't see the beautiful colors in our life.

            In recent years there has been an undercurrent in some areas to wish folks Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas.  I have never understood that because even folks who are not Christians would have to admit that the reason the holiday is called Christmas is because it is a celebration of the birth of the Christ child.

            Anyway, not wanting to get into a debate about that as I continue to wish folks a Merry Christmas, with nothing but the best of intentions, I noticed something interesting on Facebook.  An article from US News was entitled: "10 Major Retail Stores Take A Stand to Say 'Merry Christmas' instead of Happy Holidays.

            Here's part of the article: "It appears that many big named retailers are taking a stand this year°There was a time where the term "Merry Christmas' was avoided in professional settings, especially storefronts.  This was mostly due to politics and general stores' attempts to avoid discrepancies from the public as well as the press. 

            This year, there must be something in the air because there are multiple retailers that are doing their part to change the game? major retailers have gladly taken a stand and greeted their customers with a 'Merry Christmas.'"

            Some of those retailers mentioned are Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, Macy's, JC Penny, ToysRUs, Hobby Lobby, Nordstrom, Home Depot and Belk.

            These and others, I'm sure are doing their part to not just drum up business but to

turn the grayness of sorrow and hurt into the joy and happiness that comes along with a

Merry Christmas.

            As I recall from the old standard "Twas, the Night Before Christmas" Santa Claus finishes his trip of bringing gifts, happiness and cheer with the closing salutation:

            "Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night."

            Hard to find any grayness in that.

Prayer: Lord thank you for each Merry Christmas you bless us with.  Amen!

 

           

    

      

 

 

© 2005 - 2024 Writeman Enterprises - All Rights Reserved.