It's OK not to be OK.

Last week I wrote that it's OK to be OK....
    1.  It's OK to have happiness in your life, even when there is deep sadness in your life.
     2.  It's OK to be OK... you don't have to be great, OK is enough for the holidays sometimes.

This week, I want you also to know that it's OK to not be OK. 

For some the holidays are really a rough time of year.   The happy happy, joy joy is undercut by the bah humbugs because a loved one has passed away, the pandemic has kept you separated, it feels like just another day, the bills for what you bought for Christmas are coming due, etc.

And if you were to be honest, you're just not OK.

And that's OK.

You are allowed to feel how you feel.  Give yourself a break.  And just feel how you feel.  

And then, get back to just being OK.  And move forward.  Let some of the joy and happiness come back to you, slowly, 

Let the Hope of God in Christ soothe your soul.  Nothing separates us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord; it's OK to be OK, again.

And find someone to talk to about it, someone who will listen, your friend, another loved one, your pastor, and even in your prayer life... God.  

For those who struggle even more in the holidays... Shalom, may you feel the Spirit of God wrapping around you like a prayer shawl.  My prayers are with you as you read this and as you make it through the holidays.

 

Peace in our journeys,

Pastor Steve Melde