The song “Goodness of God” (as sung by CeCe Winans) has been on repeat for me over the past few weeks.  It seems to be the perfect soundtrack to my life, especially as we enter into this holiday season.

The song is a powerful reminder that through the highs and the lows, God is still good.

As our families gathered for Thanksgiving this year, it was evident that our lives are not perfect by any means.  We had loved ones missing due to death, strained relationships and broken  ties.  Others are struggling with serious health issues, financial strain, job loss, and the list goes on and on.  But as we were gathered at each get together, imperfect as we were, I could see God at work.

And the song Goodness of God kept playing over and over in my mind.  “All my life you have been faithful….All my life you have been so, so good…with every breath that I am able, Oh I will sing, of the goodness of God”

Having walked through many seasons of life now, I understand that God’s goodness does not mean that my life is always good.  But I have found that it is the hard, heart wrenching times that have added depth and dimension to my life that would not be if they were not a part of my story. 

And while all things are not good, I find that it is God who truly does work all things out for my good. 

So as we enter and celebrate another holiday season, I understand that this can be a really hard time for many.  The idyllic advertising, picture perfect holiday movies, and even social media posts of friends and family can trigger memories of difficult times, or highlight things that are missing in our own lives.

But my life experiences have taught me that our lives do not have to be perfect for us to enjoy this season.  We can still give thanks for all that God has done, and  most importantly we can celebrate the gift of His son Jesus who came to redeem humanity from the consequences of sin.

If this season is hard for you, I encourage you to be intentional about gathering with loved ones and friends and make new memories to replace the difficult ones.  

And my prayer for you is that you will experience a beautiful holiday season filled with joy and peace, and the reflection of God’s goodness in your life.

Photo by Sean Wells on Unsplash