I Will Lead You Home



 Holidays can be the happiest times but sometimes also the hardest times.  

It's like the days somehow magnify all of our emotions.

Pangs of loneliness can feel especially difficult to bear as we watch others gather. 

Disappointment over unmet expectations, our own and those of others, is real.

Feelings of bitterness over conflicts can feel insurmountable.  

Worries over providing for ourselves and our families can be heightened.  

I don't have to fight it as often as many of my brave family and friends, but today was a day when anxiety overtook me.  Even when I knew my thoughts weren't completely rational and that things would eventually be okay, it didn't feel like they would as I went through those emotions. 

At one point I sat with tears running down my cheeks in frustration as my heart raced and I struggled to calm my rapid breathing.  Music was playing and a song I didn't recognize came on.  

With the soft strumming of the guitar and Amy Grant's gentle voice I listened to these lyrics.  

"Are you far away from home

This dark and lonely night

Tell me what best would help

To ease your mind

Someone to give

Direction for this unfamiliar road

Or one who says, "Follow me and

I will lead you home"


How beautiful

How precious

The Savior of old

To love so

Completely

The loneliest soul

how gently

how tenderly

He says to one and all,

"Child you can follow Me

And I will lead you home

Trust Me and follow Me

And I will lead you home"

A sense of peace slowly descended over me.  My heart calmed a little.  I breathed a bit easier.  

For a moment I pictured not the baby, but the grown Savior reaching out to me in love.  

And then I thought of the many people I know who are struggling.  

Those who wish things were different.  

Those who are hurting and lonely or disappointed.  

I hope you know that when it doesn't feel okay at the moment, I understand.  You aren't alone.  

And I thought of Jesus Christ encircling you each in love and offering that same promise:

"Trust me and follow me and I will lead you home."



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