Upstanding people might not be what they seem
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In My Humble Opinion
Jodi McDade
Since this will be the last edition of “The Coosa County News” until New Year’s Eve, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.
This is supposed to be the most joyous season of the year, and I hope most of you are experiencing that. However, keep in mind that this season can also be very difficult for many who are experiencing the first Christmas and New Year’s without a loved one. We have lost people to COVID-19, to old age, to car wrecks, to suicide, to cancer, and to many other ailments. Those people are being missed regardless of how or why they died.
We are also experiencing many man-made obstacles to finding the ability to be happy right now. Financially it is very difficult for some people, and they are struggling just to make ends meet. Some people are still fighting illnesses or taking care of people who are fighting illnesses. People are going to the hospitals and still cannot have their family with them – scary times for all concerned. Parents are trying to figure out how to give their children a good Christmas at the same time they are just trying to provide them the necessities of life.
It still feels to me like I have missed two years of my life because of health threats, mandates, shutdowns, etc. I am hoping that next year (just like I did at the end of 2020) will be a better year for all of us. I think I could handle the rest of the problems if I could just feel like I had all my God-given freedoms back. I’m working on New Year’s resolutions now – maybe you should, too.
This past Sunday, Bro. Jeff Fuller of Rockford Baptist Church preached on which person in the manger scene did we most identify with. Of course Mary, John and baby Jesus were mentioned, but he brought up the significance of the shepherds and why they were very important people – more so than the wise men even.
Just like many of the people Jesus would later come in contact with, the shepherds were considered the lowest level of humanity. They had no education, no family, no social skills. They spent their entire lives guarding sheep. The woman at the well, the leper, Mary Magdalene, the blind man, and even the men crucified with him were not socially acceptable people at that time. But, Jesus reached out to each one – regardless or maybe because of their situation. He showed us who the really important people were and not to judge people for their appearance.
That message told me that maybe people who give the appearance of being fine upstanding people might not really be what they seem. But then, maybe people who are going through rough times or just haven’t been appreciated or loved might be the people worth getting to know. I guess I’ve always rooted for the underdog and just maybe that’s along the same lines.
So, take time to remember the REASON FOR THE SEASON IS JESUS. Look around you and see if there is someone you can bring some joy to. Speak nicer to people, put a smile on your face, and open your heart. Santa Claus has become an important part of Christmas giving gifts we might or might not even want. But Jesus gives us the gift of salvation, love, joy, and promise. Enjoy your family and friends next weekend, but remember to thank God for sending Jesus to recognize the needs of all people.
I am going to attempt to be a social butterfly for the first time in many years instead of the homebody I have become the last few years. I’m looking forward to spending some festive time with good friends and family – I hope you are, too. But I’ll take time to pray for the people in the states hit by tornadoes and the others who are struggling. God bless you all!