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Christmas Exhaustion

Mary must have been exhausted.

She was carrying a miracle, yes, but she was also carrying an out of wedlock baby, on a long journey, to give birth in rudimentary settings, with no family around, and no idea what would happen next.

Christmas Eve found me sleep deprived, anxious, and preparing for an evening ahead that would require more energy and happiness than I could muster.

So I sat in a church pew on Christmas Eve and cried for Mary and how tired she must have been, for how unfair it was that she would never fully comprehend the awesome power that her sacrifice would bring to the world. I cried because that one little baby would make every single one of my mistakes ok.

Maybe you are in the middle of your own exhaustion. Maybe you are carrying something wonderful and powerful, but right now it just feels like a burden. Stay strong, your burden may become a light for others.

If you are still happily enjoying the extra time with kids, and the extended bed times, and the family filling up the house, then celebrate with joy.

If you are on the flip side of things and feeling the merriment drain out, and are staring down the dreary grey of the month ahead, know that it is ok.

If you yelled at the kids today for just being so dang loud all the time, it's ok. If you had two cups of coffee before you could even look at putting on clothes, its ok. If you have been at work for the day and wishing more than anything to go back to bed, it's ok.

The baby was born, we celebrated, we drank, we ate, and now we are heading back into the world.

No matter how you mess up today, it will be ok.

You are loved, just as you are. You are loved. You are loved. You are loved.

Take those words, store them deep inside, hand them out readily.

Amid all the new years resolutions you will soon hear, might I suggest just one?

Love harder.

Love those around you, love those you meet, love the unlovable. Pass it along and watch the world around you change for the better.

You may brighten a day, change a mood, or even save a life.

Happy new year friends. You are loved.









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