With three folks I love living in ICU land, it's been a bit difficult to "Deck the Halls with boughs of Holly".
One of them is one of my closest friends - we've vacationed together, skied together, experienced fabulous meals together, dreamed about the kingdom together, and watched our wives be best friends together. But now we are not together...he is fighting for every breath waiting for a lung transplant because of a rare mold disease of the lung. He is lying in an ICU bed for his 12 days of Christmas and I am throwing Christmas parties. We are not together.
I have the ICU blues...
But here's the deal...in times like these Christmas only shines brighter. Without Christ, suffering is empty, lonely, cruel, and meaningless. Because of Christ, I can look at my friend and know Christ is doing a work in him, touching lives through him, preparing him for his real life in heaven, rewarding him for every ounce of suffering, and all the time whispering his strong presence to his heart.
Christmas is not nativity scenes in malls next to the "buy one get one free" sign.
Christmas is Jesus, the babe all grown up, standing like a strong carpenter and regal King next to a bed in ICU stroking the brow of his best friend and saying, "It's going to be ok, I am Emmanuel".
The "Hallelujah" Chorus really is an antidote for the ICU blues!
And He shall reign forever and ever...!!
1 comment:
Your post has touched us here in ICU. Thank you for your friendship, love and support. Len considers you one of the most valued people in his life. He is trusting Jesus with every day and is at peace with whatever outcome.
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