Each year the strains of this tune by the legendary John Lennon gain strength and echo out this famous question through the festivities of the season. Dare I say that I'm not a huge John Lennon fan (gasp!) but I sing along with my generation whenever this song is playing.
This season of the year which is a joyous celebration for so many, especially if you are a Believer of Jesus, is also a season of anguish for just as many at the very same time. "And what have you done?" echoes through my mind like a tolling bell reminding me of some things that have simply never changed.
Oh, I spent years kicking it around and played out scenes over and over of what would be different if only I had made a different decision, but as you know if you're in recovery, that scenario is a dead-end street. Sometimes the residue of stinkin-thinkin creeps into a fairly routine life now, just to shake things up a bit if I'm not on my toes and wearing my shoes of awareness. It's easy to play the same record of regret over and over if this year isn't any different than last. Perhaps you don't know where your addict is but repeatedly you set a plate for him at the dinner table just in case he arrives on your doorstep. You don't notice the others rolling their eyes when he shows up, or you choose not to notice because you think for a moment, the fatted calf has come home. Maybe you don't leave the house because, you know, you don't want her to walk into an empty home on Christmas. When and if she does walk in, the turmoil wafts in with her, just like the cloud that surrounds Pig-Pen wherever he goes, but you choose not to see.
"So, what have you done?" Are you in the same boat as you were last Christmas and the year before that and the year before that? Oh, I surely hope not!
Addiction and alcoholism are no respecter of seasonal calendars and today someone's phone will ring with the news that their addict overdosed or their drunk blacked out and never regained consciousness. Are you sitting in the dark with the Christmas tree on counting your blessings or bracing yourself for that phone call? Are you in a state of mourning year after year for what can't be changed? Have you taken the steps this past year walking into wellness with others who will support you if your phone rings with tragic news?
Perhaps your vision is blurry with one bad decision after another. But here's the good news - Jesus was born for this situation. Yes, contrary to what many would say, Jesus came back for the sick, not the righteous. He came to redeem the wretched man or woman, not the one who toes the line, believing they don't need a Savior while looking down at the others. Jesus also came to help you walk out of that chaos.
Possibly you have a relationship with Jesus but stumble through the debris of loving an addict. You're most definitely not alone but you can trust that God doesn't want you to continue to choose someone else's life over your own well being and relationship with Him. Jesus was born in a stable to reach even the most downcast soul and lead them in a different direction if only they choose to walk with Him. You can choose for yourself, too. If the one you love won't decide to live a clean and sober life that's up to them but you can decide differently for yourself and be set free! The choices they make have nothing to do with your heart of celebration today or any day.
Remember the father of the Prodigal Son? He didn't run around town asking people to keep an eye on his son who was determined to go his own way and purposely live against the Jewish laws he was raised to respect. He didn't try to circumvent the problems at all. No, he just merely kept an eye out for his return and when he came home a changed man, the father welcomed him home with joy!
I pray that if you celebrate Christmas today, that you will find joy in the midst of those you are with, and if you are alone today, don't look for reasons to feel sorry about it. Watch a movie you've been wanting to see, read a book that's waiting to be opened. Play the music you love at the highest volume you can handle. Take a walk, make something you like to eat, but just be sure to find some joy in your day and a reason to be thankful. Watch the Grinch or It's a Wonderful Life and see if you can relate to the ending!
Christmas isn't about romance, food comas or gifts galore. It's about God's love for you. Find it - believe it and walk in it. I promise - you WILL find joy.
Possibly you have a relationship with Jesus but stumble through the debris of loving an addict. You're most definitely not alone but you can trust that God doesn't want you to continue to choose someone else's life over your own well being and relationship with Him. Jesus was born in a stable to reach even the most downcast soul and lead them in a different direction if only they choose to walk with Him. You can choose for yourself, too. If the one you love won't decide to live a clean and sober life that's up to them but you can decide differently for yourself and be set free! The choices they make have nothing to do with your heart of celebration today or any day.
Remember the father of the Prodigal Son? He didn't run around town asking people to keep an eye on his son who was determined to go his own way and purposely live against the Jewish laws he was raised to respect. He didn't try to circumvent the problems at all. No, he just merely kept an eye out for his return and when he came home a changed man, the father welcomed him home with joy!
I pray that if you celebrate Christmas today, that you will find joy in the midst of those you are with, and if you are alone today, don't look for reasons to feel sorry about it. Watch a movie you've been wanting to see, read a book that's waiting to be opened. Play the music you love at the highest volume you can handle. Take a walk, make something you like to eat, but just be sure to find some joy in your day and a reason to be thankful. Watch the Grinch or It's a Wonderful Life and see if you can relate to the ending!
Christmas isn't about romance, food comas or gifts galore. It's about God's love for you. Find it - believe it and walk in it. I promise - you WILL find joy.
Merry Christmas!
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