John arrived home from church with a lot of these little candy canes. The weather had been vile Sunday morning and not many people were out braving it. Therefore, the pastor had a lot of candy canes to share with the few in attendance. His sermon had been the classic one about the real meaning of the candy cane. I like that story, but this year the real meaning of the candy cane is going to be all about the letter J. For me, the J=Jesus and the J=Joy. We may not always experience joy in the ways that we might expect, but joy is always present when we look for it. And that is why all the mini candy canes are hanging like Js all over the tree.
Thanking you again for all the prayers. My parents' marriage ended today after nearly 57 years (nearly 58). It has been very difficult for both of them, but especially so for my mother who has always considered my father her God-given mission in life. (Personally, I am glad that God has this mission back. It's going to take a miracle.)
So we are off to do some heavy duty cleaning...that should keep our hands busy and our minds occupied.
Blessings to you this day...
Ah, Vee, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Such a difficult time. Lots of love.
ReplyDeleteThey say everything happens for a reason, although sometimes, to some, it is not clear. 57 years of marriage - wow! You usually don't see that happen, but I hope in the end, it all works out for everyone...it sounds like you have some pain there, and I hope it lifts now...slowly.
ReplyDeletexo Terri
I like the candy canes hung upside down! What a great idea! :)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your parents. I hope that everything works out for the best for them both.
((hugs))
Laura
Thinking of you....
ReplyDeleteYour time with your mother seems very beneficial at this time.
Becky K.
Must be quite a shock after 57 years.
ReplyDeletePraying for you all.
Aww, Vee. I'm sorry - sounds like the ending of a not so beautiful relationship. I'm glad your mom has you near. Yes, keep her busy. Perhaps things will be better for everyone now, altho it's always sad for a marriage to come to this kind of ending. Wow - 57 years. I hope she doesn't have regrets about it - sounds like she really made a go of it and did her part.
ReplyDeleteWill definitelly lift her up in prayer.
If the email I sent you said "...YOUR ORDER...", it wasn't spam - it was a real email. A silly one, and I thought about that before I sent it - that somebody will think it's spam. You don't have to open it if you don't want to. Just a silly political email that somebody sent me...
Big hug~~~~~ Vickie
"J" is for John, too! ;)
ReplyDeletelove the story of the candy cane and hanging them this way is brilliant! sorry to hear about your parents, holding them in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteVee, you truly have had more than your share of things being not right in your life. Thank you for loving us enough to share your trials. I'm going to close now and say a prayer for you and your family. Please give your mother a hug from me. Christmas with the little ones in your family will be especially sweet. - - I, too, love the upside down candy canes and will forever think of them now as J for Jesus.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of your parent's divorce, Vee. It's sad to see this happen especially after 57 years.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the laugh the other day when you commented about my possibly doing a Chrismas letter with my cards this year. No, I didn't have an audience with the Pope....LOL!! And, no, I don't brag...I leave that for others to do...and, boy, do they! My hubby always asks me "what did they buy this year?" when he sees a Christmas letter from a particular friend who loves to brag.
Hope your week gets better. I'm going to go get some candy canes now.
Hugs,
Cheryl
I'm sorry to read this Vee. Finding joy in the midst of heartache and confusion takes a miracle - the presence of God.
ReplyDeletePraying for you.
Commin' backchannel.
ReplyDeleteGentle hugs...
Oh I am really sorry to hear that. 57 years is a long time. I really can't think of anything to say that would help. My prayers are with you all and especially your mom.
ReplyDeleteHi Vee,
ReplyDeleteI love your candy cane story..I never thought of the candy cane standing for J~Jesus and Joy..I like that a lot!.
I am so sorry about your parents..My Auntie who is 89 years old is getting divorced, yep at 89..
Cleaning always makes me feel better too!
Big hugs, Elizabeth
I have been reading on the candy cane story also. So sorry about your parents...I have a friend going through a divorce after 36 years...sad, but God is faithful to all.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you all as you walk out this new transition.
I really like your idea for turning the candy canes upside down. So glad you shared that with us.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your parent's marriage. That has to be sad and difficult for the whole family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Life is a roller coaster and I pray the new year brings more ups than downs for you and family. God bless.
ReplyDeletewow...that's all I can say..wow :-(
ReplyDeleteHugs from Utah for you & your Mom and your sweet "J"
That must be extremely hard for everyone.....sending you big hugs (one armed though...shoulder still not good.)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Penny
Vee,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear that you are all going through this rough patch. Praying peace, blessings, and overflowing joy.
Sorry to learn about this, Vee. I will be praying for you and yours.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I, too, will be thinking of candy canes J for Jesus, and Joy.
Dear Vee, I am so sorry. You and your family have been through so much. My heart and prayers go out to all of you. Sometimes life is so hard. I know this from my own personal experiences but I like your candy cane idea. In the mist of any sorrow we must look for joy and always look to Jesus for our answers.
ReplyDeleteVee. . .oh dear. . what a difficult day it must be for your mom. That is a lot of years to work on something that must have been really difficult. Hugs to you and your mom.
ReplyDeleteLove the J for joy. .Jesus and John.
Oh...my heart goes out to you and your mom. May God give you peace and comfort and strength as you deal with this.
ReplyDeleteI like the candy cane message. J...for many things. One of my favorite letters.
I'm sorry to hear about your parent's divorce afetr so many years of marriage, Vee, but I guess life is always evolving no matter what age we are. I hope your Mom will find peace in her new beginning post marriage.
ReplyDeleteA candy cane looks nice hung as a "J" for Jesus!
I am sending up prayers for all of you. Divorce is difficult for all concerned, but for the finalizing to happen this time of year sort of intensifies the hurt. Judging from the candy cane story that you shared, it seems as if God is already walking amongst your family and guiding you through this hurtful time.
ReplyDeleteWhat an outpouring of love from so many of your readers here in the comments! That must bring you much comfort during this season. Be assured my love and prayers are with you as well. No platitudes. Just prayers. Love you!
ReplyDeleteI know your feelings on your parents situation. I went thru the exact same thing just about your age. It was so hard. It doesn't just affect the mother, daddy and kids. It affects ALL the family. I had such a hard time explaining things to my two kids but...it all worked out and they were much happier.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and love to you,
bj
Thanks for the wonderful J story. The first thing I thought of is, J is for John. Ha.
ReplyDelete57 years is a very long time to be married. But as you've discovered it's never too late to reach for some happiness. I'll pray for your mom's health and peace of mind.
Thinking of you dear Vee. Sending much love and many prayers.
ReplyDeleteJennifer
i pray for JOY in ever increasing amounts
ReplyDeletethis Christmas for you and your mom.
i like your outlook "let God have His mission
back." and let your mom have some peace
and JOY>
so sorry for my infrequent visits. i have
been so distracted with my friend's
missing son, who the FBI now are looking
into more seriously. a baylor boy just
disappeared, too. it seems fishy.
if i had a glass and some champagne, i
would toast your JOY.
love,
lea
Dear Vee, I am so sorry to hear the news about your parents, because I am sure it is painful for you all, but you have a good attitude. It's God's mission. Peace and Joy to all your family! I never heard that about the candy cane message, either! I really like it.
ReplyDeleteGracious, 57 years. I will be praying for her.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your parents Vee. Life seems to be ever changing in ways we never expect. Luckily we have the Lord to turn to during these times. Love the candy canes upside down!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Cathie
Oh, Vee, I'm so sorry. What a difficult thing to go through for everyone involved. Life just stinks sometimes. Thank goodness we know where our hearts really belong because it gives us so much hope!
ReplyDeleteMuch love and holiday blessings amidst the trials and pain,
Melissa
I'm sorry to read of your parents' calling it a day, Vee. Being the child of divorce (very early on), I know it is painful and I can't imagine it's any less painful in advanced years. God bless you this Christmas season and may nothing rob you of the Joy that only knowing Jesus brings!
ReplyDeleteVee, I love that God sent you some J's to give you such a reminder of the Joy that is set before you. I am praying that through this rough season of yours that His Joy will prevail. Know that you are a very much loved!
ReplyDeleteVee...My heart breaks when I hear of marriages ending...
ReplyDeletePraying you feel hugs from heaven and I'll be praying for comfort during the Holidays for you especially.
I would have given anything for 17 more years with David.
Love to you,
Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...
Sweet Vee - I know your feelings must be running rampant and memories flooding through your mind. Wishing you and both your parents peace.
ReplyDeleteMuch Love
Leann
Vee, it has been a hard month for you, but hold on...and hold onto joy.... my prayers are with you and your parents in this time of change.
ReplyDeleteVee,
ReplyDeleteI must tell you. I was out of town for a couple of days, bringing Chickie home for break. I took my laptop along, and I was reading through your old posts. Boy was I surprised when I saw the first picture of the carpenter! It was like I knew a secret, because you didn't know who he was yet at that time of the post. My story is similar, so that was really a delight.
I'd have emailed this if I had 'default email client' installed, but maybe Chickie will help me with that. Anyway, I don't suppose many will see this message anyway.
Blessings to you and yours.
My Jesus help you find the ultimate JOY in the season. I'm sure that J = John for you as well. :D
ReplyDeleteI understand the trauma of a parents divorce. No matter what the age and circumstance, it effects us as off-spring. It will be my prayer that your mother can move on as quickly as possible --- so that she can find real joy as well.
Heart hugs,
LaTeaDah