Devotional: Remembering Paula with Joy

Read 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Matt. 2:10, NASB).

My sister-in-law Paula was born on December 24, Christmas Eve. I’m sure that her birth gave her mother and father great joy as she was their first child. What a Christmas gift! This Christmas marks the first time that Paula’s daughter, sister, niece, and nephew will celebrate Christmas without Paula.

Christmas can be a time of depression, loneliness, and sadness; especially when we think about the lost of a loved one. This is not the case for me as I think about Paula this Christmas season. You see, Paula was an outgoing person with a cheerful personality. Her students loved her because she had the ability to motivate them to do their best. Paula was a gifted musician. She played piano and organ. She had a tremendous singing voice, and she was a very good writer of songs. All of these gifts and qualities are missed.

Frankly, Paula died suffering from the health effects of alcohol addiction. Because of her addictions she would say some things and act in ways that I found annoying and displeasing. It’s as if Paula’s life mirrored the words of a song:

I’ve had some good days, and

I’ve had some bad days,

I’ve had hills to climb. But,

When I look around and think things over,

All of my good days,

Outweighed my bad days,

I won’t complain

So, why will I remember Paula with joy? It’s simply because I truly believe that Paula was like Paul. Regardless of the circumstances in her life, she knew that Jesus was her Savior. Like the Magi, Paula could always see the star and rejoice exceedingly with great joy. We rejoice at Christmas and always because we have the assurance that Immanuel has come. God is with us.

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the time you gave Paula to us. We thank you that Your Son Jesus gives us the reason to rejoice in this season and throughout the year. Amen