Written By: Priscilla Burr | CSUS Content Manager
Photo By: Reed Burr | CSUS Media Coordinator

I remember the first time I paddled out past a break by myself. I was new to surfing and had never surfed waves larger than 2 ft. I kept duck diving under waves, struggling with the timing and barely holding onto my board. It took me fifteen minutes to get past the 4ft wave break in Playa Venoa, Panama. On the other side, I straddled my board, took several deep breaths and looked around. I felt the most at peace in the ocean while marveling at God’s creation. 

It’s that moment of stillness that I hold onto in the holiday season — from Thanksgiving to Christmas. It’s a season of hustle and bustle, one-storyline movies and over-lit trees. The true message of the season can often get lost in the busyness of to-do lists.

But it’s also a season where we can feel the pain of missing a loved one in the lineup or at the dinner table. And when I feel the grief of a loved one gone, I close my eyes and remember the still moments with God in the ocean. Because true peace comes from Him.

Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

The end of the year is a season where pain may overshadow celebration, where busyness may overshadow gathering, and where gift giving may overshadow the true Gift. When grief overshadows our joy, we must retreat into God’s presence. Because when we abide in Jesus, we find our true sense of peace.

Take a deep breath and reflect on all God has done for you — even the smallest things. It doesn’t mean some days won’t be unbearable. It just means you grasp onto God’s promises and blessings when life feels hard to press on.

My prayer is that this holiday season, you find the stillness of being with our Creator. That you are reminded of His goodness even when you feel at a loss for words. When the days feel long and tiring, may you keep holding onto the Gift God gave through His Prince of Peace. And may you find a community that will walk with you, pick you up and pray with you through this season.