by Susan Stamper Brown

Americans need a good dose of Christmas.

As a nation, we are desperately lost, emotionally broken, spiritually deprived and headed for the same fate our "unadoptable" Alaskan husky dog was before my husband and I welcomed her into our home.

It's been four years since we adopted Kenai, a skeletal ball of nerves wrapped in cinnamon colored fur with spotty white "socks." Obviously abused, she had zero trust in humans and no confidence in herself. Animal control officers almost deemed her unadoptable.

She was literally scared of her shadow, fearing door entryways and basically everything inside our home, including us. She parked herself on our new chair in the living room corner. For three months she ate, drank and napped when she wasn't staring at us and only left her perch when we'd take her outside to walk and potty.

One cold and snowy winter night with near zero visibility, we feared this one-sided love affair had come to an end when she got away and bolted up and around our mountain. The more we called, chased and searched, the deeper into the woods and higher she climbed. Though we were forced to give up our search for the night, we refused to give up hope.

Miraculously, she found her way back to our yard in the wee hours of an Alaska winter morning's deep darkness. Despite our loving calls, she was afraid to come inside until we came up with a far-fetched idea to coax her inside walking our tiny terrier nicknamed "the rabbit killer" (for reasons not worthy of this column) on a leash nearby in hopes that she would follow.

She did.

Although we loved Kenai deeply and wanted desperately for her to come inside, we were at a complete loss on how to effectively communicate that message. Kenai needed an intermediary. A conciliator. A go-between. In our terrier, Kenai found a canine compatriot to communicate "There's nothing to fear, come near, welcome home" in a way she could understand.

Four years later, Kenai's doing great. She'll always be a little quirky, and full-blown crazy sometimes if something snaps in her head and sets her off. She's slowly learning to do normal things like eat her food on the floor and play with toys if no one is watching. She loves to go for rides, begs for us to pet her, and even dares to bark now, with the cutest, most feminine and sweet bark you've ever heard.

We added another sled dog to our pack, a well-balanced rescue that came with an amazing story all his own that I'll share one day when the time is right. He's rubbing off on Kenai in all the right ways. As for our terrier, well, she's moved on from rabbits to shrews. I guess we should be grateful.

With happy ears and a look of contentment on her face, Kenai's resting in her now-worn out leather chair as I write. I think back to that winter morning years ago and the extremely loved shell of a dog curled up in that chair. I realize I learned something big about God's love that day. An Alaskan Christmas story all my own.

God sought us before we knew Him, reached out to us before we trusted Him and loved us before we knew how to love him back. He sent someone like us…an intermediary...Jesus, to communicate his message in a way we could understand. Through Jesus' birth, eventual death, and resurrection, we come to understand (as much as is humanly possible) that God's love for us is so deep and wide and high that we cannot escape his notice – even when we try.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
(Isaiah 9:6)

Source: Townhall.com

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We rescued a white Spitz many years ago in Texas. That dog had been badly abused and would roll over on its back every time I walked up. It fell deeply in love with our new baby daughter, to the point that Rebecca learned to walk by grabbing Rosebud's fur, pulling herself to a standing position and "walking" with the dog as it took very small steps around the yard.

The abuse that poor thing took from my daughter never fazed it for a moment. They were a perfect pair until Rosebud finally died of old age.

We closed our first year-long devotional book with a letter written by a man named Obadiah Holmes to his nine children in the late 1600s. As we near the close of this book, we'd like to share another letter Obadiah wrote to his wife, tenderly exhorting her to remember a full lifetime of God's faithfulness. As you read it, notice what was important after nearly a half-century of marriage:

My heart has cleaved to you ever since we came together, and is knit to you in death, which is the cause of these lines as a reminder of God's goodness to us in keeping us together almost fifty years. God has made all our conditions comfortable to us, whether in fullness or emptiness, lifted up or thrown down, in honor or disgrace, sickness or health, by giving us contentment and love for one another. We have every reason while we live to praise His holy name while we are together. And when death does separate us, may the one still breathing praise Him while breath remains.

Therefore, having some thought that I may go away before you, having signs that my day is but short and it may be that I cannot speak to you at the last, I shall give you some considerations for your meditation-that they may speak when I cannot.

Consider how the Lord carried you along ever since you came into this world. He has provided for you and preserved you in many dangers, and has given you food and raiment with contentment. He has increased our store, sometimes to our wonder, also continuing our health in very great measure. He has given us a great posterity, and has provided for them in a comfortable manner.

Like Obadiah did in this letter, make a point of frequently encouraging each other by reciting the great deeds of God, reflecting back on those spiritual milestones that prove His long-term faithfulness.

DISCUSS

How has God provided for you "sometimes to [your] wonder"? See if you can list 5 to 10 ways each.

PRAY

Give thanks for God's constant provision, care and attention to your needs.

by Samantha Evilsizer

"My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted."
Psalm 25:15-16 (ESV)

Don't look his way, her heart and mind insist.

She doesn't want to look. Then again, she does. Though my friend did not check the "Plus One" box on her RSVP card, she wishes she had. Why had she come to this party alone? Maybe then she wouldn't gravitate to him.

He's reckless and destructive. My friend knows better, but he's the only one who can relate to her. Even so, she avoids eye contact, hoping to make him believe she doesn't need him anymore.

She succeeds until another round of laughter fills the Christmas party. Her resolve walks out as he walks up to her, extending a knowing hand. Fingers entwined, she falls in his snare. She can't stand him ... this companion called loneliness.

In the midst of listening to marriage, baby, vacation, life-is-grand stories, she hears the voice of loneliness, high above the conversations: You'll never have this. You'll be lonely forever.

She had promised herself she wouldn't turn her eyes to him this time. As she was getting ready for the party, she put this truth on: "My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted." (Psalm 25:15-16 ESV)

But she forgot this hopeful promise as she fell into the trap of loneliness.

By the time the clock chimed an acceptable hour to bid her goodbyes, she was eager to be gone. One step out the door and she lowered her guard too soon. Loneliness had saved his best for last. Powerfully, he pummeled lies until she believed: You will always be lonely.

When he trotted off, leaving her alone, a different hand reached down. One that is gentle and healing. Let me help you up. Rough night, huh?

She looked up to see His scarred hand extended.

How'd You know I was here?

He tells her He's been there the whole time, always near, at the ready to rescue any time she looked to Him for help. As she faced Him, He began to untangle the false claims of loneliness with truth: I am near (Psalm 145:18). I will never leave (Deuteronomy 31:6). I am your joy (Psalm 16:11).

Hollow parts of her heart filled with the confidence of Jesus. She knew it was time to break-up with loneliness for good. Not just at parties, during holidays, or weekends with nothing planned.

Maybe it's your time too? Truth is, loneliness can tag along whether you are alone or surrounded by family and friends, on special days and ordinary days.

There's only one way to keep loneliness from being a constant companion in life. It is to make sure our "... eyes are ever toward the LORD ..." Psalm 25:15a (ESV).

Let's keep our focus on God and call out to Him when we feel loneliness setting a trap for us: in the festive times, in the quiet times, at all times.

Dear Lord, my eyes are ever toward You, for only You will release my feet from the trap of loneliness. Will You please turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted? Thank You for being near and being my joy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Reflect and Respond:

Christmas can be a time when loneliness is overwhelming. If you struggle with this, what can you do to combat loneliness?

Choose a Bible verse to memorize that you will use to fight loneliness. Write it on a piece of paper or make it your phone/computer screen saver as a constant reminder of the nearness of Jesus.

Power Verses:

Deuteronomy 31:8, "It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." (ESV)

Lamentations 3:22-26, "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.' The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD." (NIV 1984)

by Debbie McDaniel

We breathed hard and fast, cold air filling our lungs, as my friends and I trudged on. Top of the mountain on a beautiful peak, we'd made it, climbing far and high. We sat for long moments taking in the breathtaking view, but never counted on the weather patterns changing so quickly. We didn't know of the impending storm that approached. Dark clouds began to roll in fast; the skies grew gray, the winds picked up, and a clouded haze settled thick over the mountain. Clumps of snow and slippery ice which covered the rocks, moments before magically glistening under sunshine, now became an obstacle course before us. We stumbled over the trail that seemed harder to see in dense patches of air. We called for help, yet no one answered. We felt eerily alone, inadequately prepared in the face of a big storm.

Thoughts of being lost forever on a lonely mountain top filled our minds. We prayed, we hurried, struggling to see past the drenching rain that pelted our path. We finally heard voices and followed them below, climbing down, down, down to safer places.

So often in life, the storms seem to come on quickly, ominous and dark, changing our scenic, happy view to fierce conditions, wintry mixes, and stone cold reality. We stumble, we fall, we lose our way. We call for help but no one seems to hear. The path feels uncertain.

Winter can sometimes remind us of the harsh realities of life.

• The winter of illness.
• The winter of struggle.
• The winter of job loss.
• The winter of waiting.
• The winter of depression.
• The winter of divorce.
• The winter of death.

But we don't have to live subject only to fierce winds and changing times, tossed about from here to there, twirling in worry and fear. Just as protecting our cars, homes, and what we hold dear is important in the thick of winter, we can also choose to safeguard our lives, our very souls, from the harsh conditions we may face.

5 Ways to Winterize the Soul:

Seal the leaks - Nothing lets in those cold blasts more than a leak or crack around the edges and crevices that should be sealed shut. Even the smallest of openings can make a brutal difference. Unsealed hearts. Leaky words. Cracked emotions. Unhealthy patterns flow from lives filled with dangerous holes.

Be watchful. Check for cracks. Fix them. Shut them. Seal them.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23

Keep connected to your power source - Ensuring you have a good battery in your car or sufficient energy in your home is crucial in blizzard conditions. A dead battery on a lonely road could be detrimental in frigid weather. Corrosion around the battery cables can stop the power flow, preventing you from moving forward. Losing electricity in the middle of winter can be dangerous.

Making sure we stay connected to God in our seasons of winter and waiting is so important. Seeking forgiveness when we know we've blown it, keeping short accounts, not letting resentments and anger linger.

Plug in. Stay aware. Spend time caring for what matters most to better weather yourself against the storms of life.

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Remove what is harmful - Sometimes what causes the most damage during winter storms are the dead branches and limbs hanging all around us. They break easily under the weight of snow, ice, or strong winds, and fall, crashing down on what we're seeking so hard to keep safe. The best way to prevent this is to keep what is "dead" cleared away from what is "life."

There's much in the world around us that seeks to tear down rather than build up. Words meant to destroy, actions meant to harm, reminders from a life that was dead, not intended for the life that is now set free.

Clear away what is harmful - seeking instead to protect and fill your life with what brings peace and wholeness.

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

Beware of dangerous conditions - Dangerous roadways with slippery ice and blinding blizzard conditions are not the place to tread during the fiercest of storms. God gives us discernment to steer clear of danger.

Tune in and listen to His Spirit leading. Don't venture out where it is not safe. Don't falsely assume that you somehow know better and assume you're more in control than you really are.

Steer clear of temptation. Follow the warnings He sets in your spirit and learn from the wisdom of those who have gone before you.

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
Ephesians 5:15-17

Find refuge and safety - A warm blanket and thick, fuzzy coat can only offer so much protection from cold and harsh conditions. In the midst of wintry elements, lingering outside the warm confines of safety, one may be quickly overcome by chilling temperatures.

Know where to run. Know the One who is Refuge and Safety. Don't seek protection from other things that will not offer lasting security. Don't stay out in the cold.

God alone offers us refuge of soul from the fiercest of life's storms. He is the only place where true safety can be found. He covers, He protects, He keeps safe, He holds strong.

Winds can howl. Storms can blow. Snow can fall, covering us with a thick deep to trudge through. Ice can freeze, shadowing life with slippery slopes of uncertainty.

But He is still certain.

He is still safe.

He is still our Refuge in the storm.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Psalm 46:1

One thing is true - if there was never any winter, if there were never any storms, we would never be able to fully see all that God is. We wouldn't know Him as Refuge, we wouldn't know His deep grace, we wouldn't know His great protection, or the safety of His embrace.

Winterizing our souls doesn't mean the storms won't happen, they will come through all seasons of life. But it does mean that we may be better equipped and prepared for whatever comes our way, trusting we are held with the sure grace and powerful strength of our Lord.

The same God of spring rains is also the God over winter. He will not allow anything in our lives that doesn't first pass by Him. And He is incredibly able to bring new life and good from even the most difficult of storms. In it all - He is our safe place, our haven, our protection.

There's peace there.

About The Author:

Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor's wife, mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead's facebook page for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives.