Part 8 of The Key to Holiday Joy... THE END

The morning sun was brightly shining through Hannah's bedroom window.  She stood from her bed and walked around her house opening all the blinds to allow the sunshine through.   Its a new day ... she said out loud. She smiled when she saw that the warm rays of the sun were slowly melting away the snow.  How ironic...

It was Christmas eve and she had a great surprise in store for the kids when they arrive home that night. She was glad her uncle Dan was available to help her, as a matter of fact, he was so glad to hear Hannah sound so much better, that he offered to work with a few friends and commanded her to leave the house.  Hannah knew exactly where she wanted to go.

****

Hannah's parent's could not stop talking about the performance of the night before on their drive to church. For the past three years they had endured the pain of watching their daughter going through the motions of life, showing as little emotion as possible, pretending to be strong.   She looked like a robot; doing everything she had to do, but feeling nothing. As much as she tried to hide her pain, everyone around her could feel it. One of the ways the kids showed their anxiety was by asking her repeatedly if she would be ok, especially just before they left with their dad for their visit. It would break Rachel's heart to see the kids in that state.

"Milton, I'm going to call Hannah.  She is by herself today, the kids are with their father.  I'm going to ask her to meet us for lunch after we get out of church" Rachel told Milton with a big smile on her face, she couldn't wait to see her daughter and talk about what happened the night before.  

Good morning sweetheart.
Hi mom, good morning to you too.
I was wondering if you would meet us for lunch after your father and I get out of church.
That sounds good mom.

Milton parked the car and opened the door for Rachel.  She was still talking on the phone with Hannah when they got to the door of the church, Milton motioned to Rachel to hang up.

Ok, see you later honey your dad is telling me to hang up the phone because we just entered the temple.

I know mom, I see you.

Rachel looked towards the front of the church. Sitting on a chair that had been empty for three years, sat Hannah looking at her. Her eyes sparkled, she had a big smile on her face.  Rachel could not help but cry, her daughter had taken her first step towards healing and she couldn't be more proud.

Hannah felt as if she was the only person there.  Psalm 42 kept circling around in her head since she walked through the door.

As a deer thirsts

for streams of water, I thirst

for you, my God.

2 In my heart, I am thirsty

for you, the living God.

When will I see your face?

3 Day and night my tears

are my only food,

as everyone keeps asking,

“Where is your God?”

4 Sorrow floods my heart,

when I remember

leading the worshipers

to your house.

I can still hear them shout

their joyful praises.

5 Why am I discouraged?

Why am I restless?

I trust you!

And I will praise you again

because you help me,

6 and you are my God.

The minister titled his sermon "The Key to Holiday Joy"

"Today I want to talk about the different keys we use to go through life doing things our way instead of God's way. Some of us think that we will find the joy that our soul yearns for in addictions and so we pull out that key and open the door to drugs, alcohol, pornography or even workaholicsm. Others may pull out the key to sexual immorality, thinking that's where they will find joy.   Sadly, they go from relationship to relationship without ever finding true love."  Many pull the "divorce key" thinking that door will open other opportunities to be happy or perhaps the freedom to do what they have always wanted to do.  Sadly, this too is a fantasy. The grass is greener where you water it, nothing beats fighting to keep your family together. 

Hannah's eyes teared up, a few days ago she would've jumped up at the chance to judge her ex upon hearing the minister say that, but today she knew better.  She thought, My ex may have pulled the keys to sexual immorality and divorce but I pulled the key to the door of hatred, anger and bitterness; we are both toxic for our children. 

Today I want you to leave here with the one and only true key,  the key that will guarantee you the joy that you are looking for in all the wrong places.  That key is our Lord Jesus Christ.  We cannot "do" life without it. We need it to open the door to love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  This key is not dependent on life's circumstances; it is useful to us ESPECIALLY throughout life's circumstances. Would you take it this morning?

Hannah was the first person to run towards the altar and to the feet of the cross.  She imagined herself prostrated before God's thrown of grace receiving mercy. She prayed "Lord, forgive me for holding sin in my heart instead of seeking your help for healing.  Today I vow to start my journey towards wholeness. I ask you to guide me, lead me, and help me do whatever it takes to move forward towards your plan.  I no longer want to live life the way I've been living.  I want to feel your joy regardless of what surrounds me, because you God are faithful. AMEN.

Hannah felt a loving touch on her back, when she turned her head, it was her mom and dad.  They hugged her "welcome back baby girl...

Hannah spent the day with her parents buying last minute things for their Christmas dinner the next day. As soon as she turned the corner heading towards her street she could see the glow of the Christmas lights illuminating the entire house. Hannah screamed with excitement. She had told her uncle to put a few lights up to surprise the kids but this was more like a magical winter wonderland.  It was 100x better than the Charlie Brown tree she had been putting up every year.

The kids arrived just as Hannah was getting out of the car.  Victoria and Daniel could not believe their eyes, they pointed to one thing then the next.  They ran around the entire house over and over again admiring it and jumping from excitement. They both came running and hugged her, she closed her eyes and took in every second of that hug. She smelled them, kissed them and held them tight. When she opened her eyes she saw her children's father still parked. He was looking at them with deep sadness in his eyes.  In that moment she felt compassion for him.  She wondered  if he realized that he was missing out on the kids and on being part of their childhood memories. A time that he will never be able to recover.

Snow flurries began to fall, Hannah and the kids hurried inside the house. They settled into their PJs to watch a Christmas movie and eat popcorn to wait until midnight for opening gifts.  Hannah felt differently, she knew she had a long way to go but the mere decision she had made that day, of taking the road towards forgiveness, made her feel lighter.  But perhaps the best thing that had happened was that she now had the certainty that she would NOT be doing life alone.

The clock struck MIDNIGHT, the kids ran towards the tree.....

Mom, lets open Mr. Burns present first! said Victoria with a tone of respect.

Good Idea sweetie, lets.

Hannah looked inside the small bag, it had quite a bit of tissue paper. One of the tissues had something wrapped inside it.

Hannah unwrapped it and could not help but laugh out loud.
It was a key chain with the word "JOY" engraved on it.

Looking through the window and up towards the sky Hannah said;

Ok Mr Burns thanks for the reminder! 

 THE END