Sorrow Turned

Esther 9:22 ...as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

Sounds like Christmas doesn’t it? 

The people realized their blessings, experienced their own sorrows turning into joy, and their own grief transforming into celebration.

And in response to their own release to celebrate, they ate with joy and gave presents of food to each other, and gifts to the poor.

The truth this season is that no matter where we are on that spectrum of life – in the middle of a sorrowful season or not – we are on a journey.  And our sorrow will TURN.   And our mourning will BECOME celebration.

When we experience God’s solace and deliverance, we cannot help but respond by celebrating and having the desire to give and bless others.

As you wrap, prepare your food, and offer your gifts, see it all in a new light this year.  See all of your doing for others as a gift to them in response to your joy, for his gift to you.

See if that perspective doesn’t lighten your load a bit.  

And if someone doesn’t like their gift, sneers at your food, or doesn’t notice your decorate wrapping – who cares?  He notices.  He gives you the permission to be joyful anyway.