Are You Suffering this Holiday Season?

In praying about what I would share in this Sunday's email, I felt God press upon my heart to share a very personal and painful situation...

Are You Suffering this Holiday Season? Dear Family,   Are you suffering this holiday season?   In praying about what I would share in this Sunday's email, I felt God press upon my heart to share a very personal and painful situation. I suspect that many of our readers can relate on one level or another.   My daughter was adopted from Russia. Her younger years were challenging as I learned to deal with her attachment issues. She struggled with these issues because she spent the first year of her life in an orphanage, or what could better be described as a warehouse. As a father, I had to learn to navigate these waters, and I probably failed as often as I succeeded. There was no training manual, just lots of advice from counselors and others.   We became much closer as she entered her teenage years. I was so thankful for these times. At one point, we were like two peas in a pod, and she had become "Daddy's girl." I rejoiced, believing that the worst of our issues were now firmly behind us. It was the answer to countless prayers.   After high school, she attended a Bible college in New York, and we spoke nearly every day. She shared details of her day-to-day life, and I loved hearing about her theology classes and discussing the Scriptures with her. She even secured a volunteer position in the recruitment office. However, as the year progressed, she became less and less interested in the Bible and Bible college.   One day she told me, "Dad, there are two types of kids at Bible college: those who are radical Christians and want to change the world, and those who are here because their parents want them here." My heart sank. I knew which category she fell into without even needing to ask.   She dropped out of Bible college after her first year and found new friends. Wanting to find her own way and her own independence, she moved into her own apartment. I wanted to be a totally supportive dad. I felt horrible thinking that that she was only following my dream for her and not following her own. On the other hand, I was honestly worried where "her dream" might lead. I felt horrible thinking that she was only following my dream for her and not following her own. On the other hand, I was honestly worried where "her dream" might lead. While I remained 100% supportive of her, I could tell we were drifting apart. She didn't really want to share what she was up to, and later confessed that she was often lying to me so I would not be disappointed in her actions.   My heart was crushed on both sides. I was disappointed in myself for trying to lead her down my own path for her, and I was disappointed at the same time that she was walking away from the Lord and lying to me in the process.   I reassured her that I would always love her and respect her decisions. As a dad, I might not agree with what she was doing, but I would respect that she was an adult, and that they were her decisions to make. I also explained that my love was not conditional, and nothing she could do would stop me from loving her. As a dad, I might not agree with what she was doing, but I would respect that she was an adult, and that they were her decisions to make. I also explained that my love was not conditional, and nothing she could do would stop me from loving her. As time went by, she made the decision to stop communicating with me altogether. Naturally, I kept reaching out, telling her I loved her and missed her, but she has chosen to not respond. All her contact info has been changed, and over the past three years, she has only spoken with me three times through email.   I know I have made mistakes as a father, but I also know I love my daughter and eagerly wait for her to have a relationship with me again. I am not mad at her. I am not bitter. I am just heartbroken.   The holidays are fast approaching. And while I will have lots of fun events to enjoy with my family, including my two granddaughters, a hole will remain in my heart that only a renewed and healthy relationship with my daughter will fill.   Let's face it: most holiday events are expected to be like a perfect Hallmark movie. At the end of the story, all is perfect and every character lives happily ever after. This is simply not the reality we face. Many of us have deep hurts or know someone in our circle who is suffering through difficult times. Many of my close friends and family members are going through very difficult situations even as I write this. Let's face it: most holiday events are expected to be like a perfect Hallmark movie. At the end of the story, all is perfect and every character lives happily ever after. This is simply not the reality we face. WATCH THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS When I think of my life, I think of The Pilgrim's Progress animated movie we released 2 ½ years ago. When making this film, I would often state that the story of Christian Pilgrim, the main character, is the story of every Christian.   Christian fought his way through trials and troubles. He met friends and foes. He stumbled off the straight path more than once, but he always trusted the King. That trust is what drove him on to the Celestial City.   And when he finally faced his last test, the Raging River, he wanted to turn back. With eternity in his sight, he wanted to return to the City of Destruction where his journey began. Why did he want to do this? (Warning, spoiler alert): Because he wanted his wife and children to come with him.   Evangelist, the man who served as his spiritual guide, told Christian that he could return to the City of Destruction, but he could never force his family to come with him. Each person must travel their own path. The only choice for Christian was to continue to trust in the King.   This is what I refer to as a "pilgrim's perspective." Through every hurt, through every sorrow, we trust in the King. We press on through every trial, we repent of every misstep, and we continue our journey to eternal glory. Through every hurt, through every sorrow, we trust in the King. We press on through every trial, we repent of every misstep, and we continue our journey to eternal glory. I do not know how to ease my pain. I certainly do not know how to ease the pain of others. I only know that we must trust in the King. Our situations may be complex, and even seem too difficult to bear at times, but the answer is always found in Him!   We may have lots of fun and cheer this holiday season, but there are those who will also have their pain. Coming through the difficulties of COVID-19, and the challenges we still face, I have made it a point to be more sensitive to the struggles of others this holiday season and do everything I can to be an encouraging voice, a faithful pilgrim, and a witness of our King.   Making The Pilgrim's Progress has had a profound impact on my life—one I will never forget. I've identified with the burden Christian had to carry, I've been to the cross of Jesus, I often find myself battling with the powers of darkness, and now I even feel the pain Christian felt when he finally realized he could not lead his beloved family to the Celestial City.   While The Pilgrim's Progress is wholly a work of fiction, the allegory it contains teaches some of the most powerful lessons we can learn on this earth and as followers of Christ. While The Pilgrim's Progress is wholly a work of fiction, the allegory it contains teaches some of the most powerful lessons we can learn on this earth and as followers of Christ. This week I asked my staff to re-launch the online form offering two DVDs of The Pilgrim's Progress with a donation to RevelationMedia. These make great gifts for friends and family, and are excellent as an outreach tool. They also come with gift cards to watch free online.   If you would like additional copies, please just write to us and let us know how we can serve. If you cannot afford to donate at this time, but believe that people in your family may be blessed by its spiritual truths, please write to us and we will send you one for free.   My heart goes out to those who may be separated from a loved one this holiday season. For some, that may mean their child has prematurely passed on to eternity. For others, like me, it may mean a physical separation, and even a separation from God.   If you are suffering this holiday season, I encourage you to remember that you are only a pilgrim in this land. Your home is in eternity with our King, and our hope and trust is only in Him. This perspective, a pilgrim's perspective, will guide you, step by step, though anything this world may bring your way. If you are suffering this holiday season, I encourage you to remember that you are only a pilgrim in this land. Your home is in eternity with our King, and our hope and trust is only in Him.  Have a blessed Sunday! Steve Cleary CEO/Founder RevelationMedia RECEIVE YOUR FREE THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS DVDS Make a Donation to RevelationMedia and Receive TWO The Pilgrim's Progress DVDs Prayerfully consider what God would have you give this holiday season, and we will send you two copies of the award-winning animated film The Pilgrim's Progress. These DVDs make excellent gifts for family members and friends. Encourage the next generation's faith with a film that reveals the trials and hope of the Christian life. RECEIVE YOUR FREE THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS DVDS Copyright © 2021 RevelationMedia, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: RevelationMedia PO Box 850005 Richardson, Texas 75085 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can *update your preferences or *unsubscribe from this list.  Subscription Information This message was sent to Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog *the blog owner has deleted the hyperlink intentionally