candleStax Records produced a song in 1973 by The Emotions titled What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas? (Check it out on YouTube). It begins “‘Tis the season to be jolly but how can I be when I have nobody. The yuletide carol doesn’t make it better knowing that we won’t be together. A silent night I know it’s going to be. Joy to the world but it’s going to be sad for me. What do the lonely do at Christmas?”

Yes, that is the million dollar question…What do the lonely do at Christmastime? Well not really.  In this 21st century in which we live, people gone do what they gone do, whether they do it alone or with someone else. Often we feel alone even when we are with other people. Sometimes being alone is needed and makes you feel great. If you are with the wrong somebody at Christmas, New Year’s, Easter or any other day, you are going to feel lonely. Even if you are married or in a committed relationship there will be times that you will be alone or feel lonely.

There is difference between being alone and being lonely. Being alone can be positive or negative depending upon whether you choose to be alone or want to be alone. Sometimes you feel accomplished and brave when you do certain things all by yourself or without help. However, being lonely is pretty much a negative adjective…lonesome, abandoned, deserted, isolated, forlorn, solitary…okay, that’s enough.  I think you get the picture.

Well if married folks and people in committed relationships can be alone and feel lonely…how in the world do you think us single folks feel?  I mean, what do we really do at Christmastime? Now I can only speak for my single self but I don’t think I have ever been in a serious relationship around the Christmas holiday.  However, I generally do not feel lonely at Christmas because I am at home with my family and do not have a lot of time to dwell on the fact that I am single and alone (i.e., unaccompanied, by myself, on my own, etc.). And most days I am okay with being single until I start thinking about the fact that I do desire to be married.  Then my goodness, I really start singing the blues.

Yet, I am reminded that while I live in the world, I am not of the world and so I cannot dwell on what the lonely do at Christmas (I mean really…that is a secular song. IJS). I have to dwell on God’s timing. The Lord knows the desires of my heart (and yours too) and in due season, if we don’t grow weary in doing good, we will reap a harvest (a spouse, a promotion, a job, a house, peace of mind, good health, etc). Everybody is not trying to harvest the same thing but let’s be clear, one “crop” that I wish to “reap” is a husband…IJS.

crownIf there is anyone else desiring this crop, all I can say is “wait on the Lord”. As we wait patiently for the harvest, we must recognize our worth. A Facebook friend posted a quote from Morris Chestnut (he’s so fine) that said, “When you realize how much you’re worth, you’ll stop giving people discounts”. You have a value far above rubies, so do not sell yourself short. Do not compromise or dummy yourself down. Don’t settle for anything less than God’s best for you because it will only lead to frustration and disappointment. With each discount that you offer, you reduce your profits.  If you offer too many discounts you will barely break even. More discounts will have you operating at a loss and eventually you will just be giving your stuff away for free.  #StopIt!!!

Wait I say on the Lord and be of good courage. Wait on the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

There is another song that has been speaking to me during this holiday season. Donald Lawrence has a song titled There Is A King In You (on YouTube as well)The song opens saying “you come from royalty, an aristocratic dynasty. The goal of the enemy is that you don’t know who you are. There’s power when you speak. Be mindful of the words you release… You were born to rule. There is a King in you.”

crossYes, King Jesus, in the form of the Holy Spirit is in you.  Regardless to what harvest you are expecting, God is calling you to wait and be obedient in a barren season. Commit your work to the Lord knowing that your plans will be established (Proverbs 16:3 NRSV) because there is a King you. There is a King in you and in due season you will reap if you faint not. You are the head and not the tail; above and not beneath. Let the past go and look toward the future. The best is still yet to come for you.

Embrace the King in you.  Yep, that is what I am going to do at Christmastime. Kick it with the King dwelling inside of me.  After all, it is his birthday…IJS.

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