As I take time to reflect on the year that is rapidly coming to a close, it appears that the evil one has intensified his efforts.  Daily I am reminded of the battles that have entered in.  For those of you who don't know me, the primary battle that I have been engaged in over the past seven years has been for my wife and a healing of the scars from her life.  For those of you who have or know someone who suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress, you will understand that the battle is a daily one.  Although there have been many victories in this battle, the war still wages on.  Then there are those who I visit in association with my role in the church.  Many people this year are celebrating the holidays without their loved ones and many are celebrating the holidays with a certain amount of uncertainty regarding their future, be it health, emotional or financial.  Again, there have been many victories this year but as with my wife, the battle rages on.

Recently, my father was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.  I had been watching him pretty closely over the past couple of months and had suspected as much but didn't know for sure until just last week.  Thankfully, he is in the early stages and there are some treatment options available to him that should prolong the need for medication.  Having watched his mother suffer with this same disease, he is pretty motivated to do what he needs to.  As this is a progressive disease and the medication will eventually prove to be ineffective, this battle is just beginning.

Given the complexity and magnitude of these daily battles, it would be easy to be a little more selective about which ones to fight or just to quit altogether.  If I am being honest, there are times in which retreat seems like a good option.  During those times, in which I am at my lowest point, God always seems to provide reinforcements.  Sometimes this comes in the form of other people who enter into the battle with me, sometimes it comes in the form of scripture, sometimes it comes in the form of a line from a movie that strikes me in a way that seems to have been written and spoken just for my benefit.  Regardless, of what form, it always comes.  God is faithful that way....

What battles remain in your life as the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ approaches?  Have the battles of the year taken you out of action?  Do you need reinforcements?  I pray that if you are at a vulnerable time in you life that you will not seek to continue alone.  Solomon writes in Chapter 4, verse 9-10 of the book of Ecclesiastes that "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up."

I pray for these battles daily and humbly give thanks to God for the victories.  As you celebrate the birth of our Savior this year, I pray that you find comfort and strength in the following passage of scripture.  May God be with each and everyone of you.

"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The LORD, the LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2)

Your brother in Christ,

Jim