That Darn Scrooginess

Charis Corner: Stories of Grace in a Broken World

Holiday Piece II

It’s here. That moment you’ve been dreading. It’s the perfect storm of bad days.

First, the kids come down with the stomach flu, but not at the same time. So you’re doing laundry for three days straight. Then your spouse, parent, loved one falls into a spout of depression. When you’re already low on energy, you now must struggle with getting that loved one out of bed and charm them out of their depression (which usually doesn't work and if it does, not for long). But when it’s all said and done, that depression is contagious. You forget what it is that hope you’re supposed to have. The “Christian” answer isn’t enough. And soon you’re swimming in doubt. Did God really mean what He said? Will He really provide? Does He really care?

Welcome to December. Welcome to the Christmas season. Little money, large expectations, and zero energy.

It’s no wonder there are so many Scrooges around Christmas time.

However, I am not. I am still that little kid that leaves out cookies and milk for Santa as an adult, whether there are kids around or not. Why? Because I believe. I have faith. I have hope. And that’s really what this season is about.

For the Israelites, it was truly a time of despair. God was so far away; they’d ruined their love relationship with Him. But God wasn’t done, not even close. He gave them promises to hold onto—the same promises we can cling to. Prophesies of their Savior came time and time again, but there was no sign of help.

But then God gave His people—and us—the greatest gift. 

Hope—eternal hope. Magic. Faith. Purpose. All through Jesus. Jesus, God contained in human form, came to us as a baby. That baby was proof that God didn’t abandon them. And it was proof He hasn’t abandoned us. God is still in the business of performing miracles. 

Just like the Israelites, a lot of us miss them, because we’re not looking for little things. 

Like the birth of a baby boy in a manger.

So as we struggle with our own Scrooginess, let’s recite God’s promises to us. God NEVER breaks His promises.

Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

           

Isaiah 43:1-3: ““Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Isaiah 30:19-21, 23, 26: “People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’  He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows. The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.”

Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear.”

Psalm 73:26: “My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need.”

Psalm 68:19: “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.”

Nahum 1:7: “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.”

Matthew 6:34: “So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.”