I've have the funniest set of Christmas candles in my office you'd ever want to see! They're supposed to be standing straight and tall--and somehow, the ceiling vent's been blowing warm air in their direction--until they're tilting sideways. One is extremely bent over, sometimes even falling out of its holder, poor thing.
Sounds like some of us after Christmas! Bent over from all the packages we've picked up, opened up, and now have to return; all the decorations for which we've stretched and strained, not to mention the hot stoves and baking ovens over which we've watched and worked...oh, our aching backs!
We're tired out, worn down, filled up, charged up...the candle's worn at both ends and about to go out. Look closely--your candle may be bent out of shape too! For you see, Christmas brings with it all the warm family fun and friendship, but also the family feuds and fencings--each one bending us over a little more, until WE fall out of our holders, the light goes out, and we bite the dust!
Don't let it happen...stand faithfully in the face of adversity! Now you can't do that with a bent-over back--UNLESS you give the burden to the Lord! So why not! Do it--and watch what a difference it will make in your attitude, your daily walk with God--and with the people around you. You will straighten up and God will straighten it out!
Candles are meant to shine, not to bend over backwards and go out! So SHINE, candle, SHINE...let the love and grace of Jesus Christ light up your life and give you strength and courage to face life with all of its difficulties. You can do it--in HIS Name and in HIS strength. Jesus, the Light of the World, walks life's pathway with you--you're not alone, so stand in faithfulness, shine on--and have a great day!
UPDATE: It is Christmas 2001, one year later. The Crooked Candles have sadly been replaced by straight, politically-correct ones this year--nice--but I'm gonna miss the CROOKED ones!!
Delight in a Word from the Well--a refreshing in the Water of His Word
Bible Gateway.com - Matthew 5:1-12 - Beatitudes for Bent-Over Christians!
Draw from the Well--a prayer for renewing strength for this day
"Lord, I've been bent over and burdened down too long. I'm worn out, burned out, tired out, and I refuse to GO out! Help me to stand faithfully in the grace that YOU give; to know that in Your strength, I can do all things, I can bear all things, and I can be blessed by You, In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Your DAILY Assignments!
My Personal, Indescribable Christ--Scripture for ALL Seasons!
Words from the Well poem
Copyright 2000 by Peggie Bohanon, Springfield, MO. All rights reserved.
Not to be copied without permission.
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The Prayer Room--Where God Heals Bent-Over Backs!!
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