“For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope.” Romans 8:20

“UGHHHHHHHHH!” was my response when asked how I was doing. That went along with other sounds that don’t actually have any official spellings, but sounds everyone can appreciate! And why not? It’s Christmas! Why WOULDN’T the official day we celebrate the birth of the world’s Savior come with anything less than groaning frustration. Just read the real story behind HIS birth.

I know, I know! Christmas is supposed to be Merry and Bright! Bah-Humbug’s are not welcome to the Christmas party, and until Mr Scrooge changes his attitude, his story won’t be any less frustrating. “So learn this now,” I told myself, “you’d better get Merry and Bright together and Ho-Ho-Ho it, even if you have to fake it!” But the pep talk didn’t help. And it’s not because I’m blue!

There’s something “In the Air Tonight,” sang Phil Collins. And it isn’t just me and Scrooge who hear it! The Bible says that “ALL Creation groans.’” And includes God Himself (vs 26)! For some reason that verse, in a weird way, gives me some Peace! Having 2 surgical procedures this month smacked me. But it’s not my body that feels uneasy. Both my soul and spirit are groaning. For a reason!

I’m going to attribute my looking up the meaning behind Collins’ song to the Holy Spirit. I was surprised to discover that even HE didn’t know what the song meant, but wrote about what he felt. I call that a brave admission! Other than having a stuffy nose, I feel fine! Christmas is my favorite time of year and I have “The Spirit” going. But there’s just something haunting hanging in the air!

I was looking for something to read last night when my eyes found the book, “Dark Nights of the Soul.” I’m not really sure why I grabbed it. I had tried to read it before and quit. Something drew me to it, so I started perusing the pages as it described man’s groaning using Psychology. After an hour, I threw it in the trash! Then God led me to discover this verse and, ‘groaning’ is to be expected!

I’m NOT trying to be a downer. In fact, I feel like I received a shiny new toy to play with! And it’s something that will last and never wear out on this Earth! There’s a REASON for my grumpiness, a WHY for my questionable attitude!  And it MAY help me to not be so crotchety! I AM this way because I’m SUPPOSE to be! That’s how God MADE me. SOMETHING is WRONG… and my GROANING proves it!

God’s story through Jesus is tragic! Perfect God volunteered to take on the form of fallen humanity, coming down here behind enemy lines, only to be targeted from birth. His horrific death was predictable… so says God. And so says my body, soul and spirit. That feeling in the air tonight verifies things are NOT what they were meant to be. But God reminds me, CHRIST is coming!  Only THEN will my groaning cease!

How are YOU feeling this Christmas?  Do you have occasions for being grumpy?  Does this verse help YOU to understand that it’s ok to not be ok… because things here are NOT ok… and that, for now, is OK!???