Merry Christmas my friend! It’s a very different Christmas time for us all around the world this year…Isn’t it!

Many won’t be able to travel to see loved ones because of border closures. Many cities are locked down again & many will only have the members of their immediate household to celebrate Christmas. 

While many will be alone, completely isolated from family & friends due to CoVid lock down measures in local second, third & fourth+ waves in this global pandemic.

First, let’s get comfy

Let’s grab our hot cuppas & treat, get comfy in our favorite spot before we begin our reflection together.

I was recently gifted a ‘Tea’s of the World’ Advent calender. Since, each day at morning tea time I have opened a little door on this calendar to discover an exotic tea or tisane blend. It has been an exciting daily adventure!

Today, I have Moroccan Dreams, a very refreshing spearmint herbal tea. And my treat is a gf Fruit mince tart, a Christmas tradition in my household. What’s yours?

Now we’re settled, sipping & munching, let’s begin…

Being isolated

Isolation can take many forms & we have all experienced some form of isolation during this pandemic. Some of us fair better then others in isolation but it has been difficult for us all.

Many have been connecting with others via digital means either by texting, voice or video calls while in isolation but it’s not the same as face to face…is it!

Although it has definitely been a blessing to have these forms of digital communication to stay in touch while isolated.

Talking about digital connection, I recently lost my WhatsApp! Its latest update seems to be too sophisticated a download for my older phone. This was the App my daughter’s, grandchildren & I have a family group connection on. I really miss being able to connect via this App with everyone.

It’s also the App our ladies prayer group connects on, relaying prayer requests & words of encouragement to each other. I miss this too.

I can still connect with individuals via normal mobile phone measures, of course but I do miss the group interactions. I hadn’t realized just how much I enjoyed these digital communities until I no longer had them. 

It’s also the same with the Inlinkz blog communities I had joined. When the Inlinkz update came along I have been left out in the cold, so to speak, in not being able to link up because of my older technology.

Although one host very kindly links my weekly post for me, Maree Dee at Embracing the Unexpected who is one of the hosts for Grace & Truth Linkup. I really appreciate your kindness to me Maree, thank you!

Feeling lonely

Loneliness can come to us all…Can’t it! I have experienced loneliness at different times in my life.

In fact I still remember one particular time where it was the loneliest I have ever felt in my entire life, shared in Feeling alone…

I also went through the most significant life & death experience without any family members or friends present but I found in that moment I was not alone, shared in The Elephant in the room

You see we may feel lonely, we may think we are alone but we actually aren’t!

We are never alone!

Did you know that God the Creator of the universe is omnipresent? Well He is! What’s omnipresent you ask…

Omnipresent means God is present everywhere at the same time!

How awesome is that! He has also promised us the following,

“…I will never leave you nor forsake you, so that we can confidently say, the Lord is my Comforter & wonderful Counselor, I will not be afraid.” 

Hebrews 13:5-6 (paraphrased)

You see our feelings can get in the way of the truth of God’s promises to us. Our feelings can hoodwink us into thinking they’re right & God’s promises aren’t being applied to us.

Our thoughts & feelings can be fickle

This is when we need to stand on the truth of who God is & that He always keeps His promises to us!

Whether we feel it or not on any given day or in any situation He is present, He is working & we are not alone!

After all He sent the promised Immanuel, which means God with us in His Son, Jesus Christ whom this season is celebrating!

May you know His Comfort & Joy this Christmas my friend, 

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

Or in Prayer

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© 2020 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog, All Rights Reserved. Photo by Nikolett Emmert on Pexels.com 

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