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Rescued Misfits and Life After Christmas

Rescued Misfits and Life After Christmas, Adobe Spark imageThe hoopla of Christmas is over.

A celebration’s end often leaves us falling off the edge of a holiday high.

Do you know the feeling? Days spent in hustle and bustle. Gifts chosen and wrapped. Food prepared and devoured. Decorations glittered and dazzled.

Like a cup of tea, family gatherings filled us to the brim with glee.

But the celebrating, the hope-infused wishes, and the giving don’t have to go away. The true meaning of the Christmas story continues on to eternity.

I love stories—heart-felt stories, Christmas stories, both make-believe and real. Storylines stirring our long-awaited dreams.

So I’m a fan of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Because in the core message we find rescued misfits.

The book and movie’s storyline melts the heart of every boy and girl. Still further, adults escape the real world of heartache for moments of happy endings and “hoorays!”

Misfits Wanted, Therefore Chosen

Rudolph’s the poster-child for reindeer misfits.

The other reindeer called him names. Being different seemed alright until words spoken out loud preached “different” is not acceptable.

I understand misfits and their dilemma. Perhaps you relate to a misfit story.

In the same manner as placing Christmas presents on a wish-list, we often hope for heart-wishes to come true. Rudolph wished for acceptance, to be wanted and chosen.

Yet, no longer able to withstand the taunts and rejection, Rudolph runs away. And on his journey he befriends two kindred-spirits also labeled “different.”

The three newfound friends find themselves on the island of misfit toys. How fitting. And only allowed to spend the night if they promised to coax Santa into finding a permanent home for the toys.

But Rudolph’s bright nose caused a bit of a nuisance since the Abominable Snow Monster spotted them. So Rudolph left the island to ensure safety for his friends.

Remember the end of the story? Rudolph made good on his promise. He brings Santa back to pick up the toys on Christmas Eve. And the red-nosed reindeer even guides Santa’s sleigh on the foggy flight.

Misfit toys, wanted and chosen, were given to jubilant boys and girls. Each child excited to receive them.

You know what? It’s the same in God’s Christmas story. The Christ child wants and chooses us. Jesus is jubilant to receive us to himself.

Adobe Spark imageMisfits Loved, Therefore Treasured  

Can you relate to misfit stories? Have you been abandoned? Left on the sidelines? Excluded? Walked out on? Made fun of? Felt unlovable?

At the center of the real Christmas story is love…love for misfits. Jesus Christ came as God Incarnate. But He understood rejection. And Jesus experienced abandonment. People labeled Christ different.

Jesus loves misfits.

Look at John 3:16 in the Amplified Bible.

“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

#Jesus loves us. He treasures every spiritual misfit...just as I am and just as you are. #love Click To Tweet

Misfits Rescued, Therefore Kept

Born broken by sin, and tattered by the world’s injustices and heartaches, spiritual misfits need a rescuer.

God’s Son came to rescue every misfit the first Christmas night. #Jesus #Savior Click To Tweet

God made good on His promise from prophecy years before. He came in the flesh to save us, our moments of “hoorays!”

You see, God keeps us forever.

Even when #Christmas is over, #God keeps us. No re-gifting, exchanges, refunds, or collecting dust on God's shelf. Click To Tweet

Christ came to choose, love, and rescue each of us. The birth of God’s Son is only the first chapter of the Christmas story.

The earthly ministry of Jesus coupled with His crucifixion and resurrection tell us the rest of the story. To authentically celebrate God’s Christmas story, we connect it to God’s Easter story. Two heart-felt stories weaved together.

A storyline resonating throughout the world to all misfits. “I, Jesus Christ, died for you because you’re a keeper.”

Jesus arrived in this world to find a permanent home for us in the next world. Yet, don’t miss this. Christ gives us abundant life now and it starts the moment He rescues us.

Every man, woman, and child from all walks of life across the face of the earth:

  • Wanted.
  • Chosen.
  • Loved.
  • Treasured.
  • Rescued.
  • Kept.

I’m a fan of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Because in the core message we find rescued misfits.

Yes, Christmas is over. But we’re still rescued misfits with a story of life and a message of hope.

A story that melts hearts. And it lives on when misfits become the key storytellers.

Images courtesy of Adobe Spark.

Post link-ups:

Meghan Weyerbacher/TeaandtheWord, Lyli Dunbar/#FaithOnFire,

Crystal Twadell/Fresh Market Friday & Crystal Storms/ Heart Encouragement.

© 2017 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved

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December 28, 2017 at 9:00 am | Uncategorized


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This was a beautifully written post. I love what you said about God not desiring to regift, exchange, or get a refund for us. He loves us, brokenness and all. What hope we have when we look upon what He has done and is doing in giving us abundant life.❤️

Karen Friday says:

Thank you, Christina! Yes, so glad Jesus rescues us then hangs on to us. Christ reassures us that no matter what the world says, we are keepers! Blessings!

Karen,
I used to struggle with depression after Christmas. After much prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I choose to embrace all the blessings, hope, and grace that Christmas represents FOREVER (not just Christmastime) for those who belong to Jesus.
Thanks for your hopeful post. I’m glad to be a rescued misfit!
Blessings in 2018.

Karen says:

Beckie, thanks for sharing your experience. I think it’s all too common. I agree, we must embrace the hope and grace the Christmas story gives us all year long. We have access to all spiritual blessings and abundant life the moment Christ rescues us. 🙂

Becky Smith says:

What a wonderful post!! We all need to feel Wanted, Chosen, Loved, Treasured, Rescued, and Kept!!! Thank you for posting this!!!

Karen says:

Thank you, Becky. Our awesome God does each of those for us and more. And I love the thought that even when Christmas is over, God keeps us. No re-gifting, exchanges, refunds, or collecting dust on God’s shelf. Blessings!

Beautifully written I love the tweets! I know I was a misfit…that you Jesus because of you I fit!!! 🙂

Thank you Jesus! 🙂

Karen says:

Thanks, Marla. And, yes, so true! Because of Jesus we fit! Love that! Grateful we are wanted, chosen, treasured, rescued, and kept! 🙂

Traci says:

I think the term misfits describes most of the Bible characters quite well too! One of the greatest moments of my faith walk was when I stopped trying to be enough on my own. We need Jesus! A great reminder here!

Karen says:

Traci, you are right. We see misfits in so much of the Bible. I’m just thankful Jesus saw fit to rescue us all. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. 🙂

April Boyer says:

Beautiful story, and great for children struggling with identity too! I am so glad God doesn’t throw us back, but keeps us and treasures us always!

Karen says:

Thanks, April. Yes, all of us and even children tend to struggle with identity. Great to know God never intended for us to be cookie cutter creations. 🙂 Jesus loves us. He treasures every spiritual misfit…just as I am and just as you are.

sydell says:

Karen this is a beautiful post.I struggle with feeling worthy and your words is so encouraging .Im so thankful God keeps His promises and God keeps us forever. Blessings to you sweet friend.

Karen says:

Thank you, Sydell. Yes, it’s easy to feel unworthy, the enemy attacks us in that way. But remember…Jesus came to rescue you. You are…

* Wanted
* Chosen
* Loved
* Treasured
* Rescued
* Kept

sue says:

I always get a little blue after Christmas – especially when the kids leave. But I’m grateful for what’s passed, how we celebrated Christ and our family – and trust Him for new beginnings ahead. Thank you, Karen. (:

Karen says:

It is easy to fall off the holiday high, Sue. Me too. Yes, Christmas is over. But we’re still rescued misfits with a story of life and a message of hope.Blessings!

Karen, how assuring it is to be reminded that Christ loves the misfits. “At the center of the real Christmas story is love…love for misfits. Jesus Christ came as God Incarnate. But He understood rejection. And Jesus experienced abandonment. People labeled Christ different.” Christ himself experienced rejection, minimization, ridicule, abandonment and so he knows what it feels like to be a misfit and not it in and be isolated from established community. He knows these experiences intimately and has such compassion for anyone who has suffered in any way. What an amazing God we love and serve.

Karen says:

Yes, Anne! Christ is so intimately acquainted with rejection and abandonment, it makes Him a true and authentic friend, comforter, and high priest.

“Anne, you’re a keeper.” ~ God

Beautifully written, Karen, and this misfit is very thankful for the warm welcome God extends.

Karen says:

Thank you, Michele. It’s so comforting to realize how Jesus is jubilant to receive all misfits unto himself. We’re wanted, chosen, loved, and rescued. And kept forever!

I love Rudolph and other stories of misfits. I would love to visit the island of misfit toys to care for them. I guess that is why I do the mission work to orphans. I am a misfit and want to help others find Jesus because He wants to make us His.

Karen says:

I love that, Yvonne. What a servant’s heart of mercy to want to visit and care for misfits. And the orphan work and calling you do is from the Lord and not only touches their hearts and lives, but touches the very heart of God.

Several years ago, I wrote a post about the Christian message coming through loud and clear in the story of Rudolph, Karen. And here, you’ve done the same thing! So glad someone else loves Rudolph as much as I do, and can relate it to Jesus’ great love for all His misfits – us!
Blessings, and Happy New Year!

Karen says:

That’s great, Martha! I love the storyline in Rudolph! We’re rescued misfits with a story of life and a message of hope. Blessed New Year to you!

Lisa notes says:

“The birth of God’s Son is only the first chapter of the Christmas story.” And our stories are still early too…it’s truly just the beginning. Have a blessed new year, Karen!

Karen says:

Exactly, Lisa. We don’t have to worry about the beginning, middle or ending of our stories. Because as rescued misfits, we see God’s love and goodness written on each page.

I am very thankful God rescues misfits like me. 🙂 His mercy is never ending. His love is stronger than we can comprehend. We are truly blessed.

Karen says:

Thanks, Melissa. Me too! Christ came to choose, love, and rescue each of us.

I love and so relate to this analogy. laurensparks.net

Karen says:

So glad, Lauren. It’s a storyline resonating throughout the world to all misfits. “I, Jesus Christ, died for you because you’re a keeper.”

Oh, Karen. I love the idea that there’s no re-gifting going on with God. No gifts gathering dust on his shelf. He has love and use for every misfit. What an amazing message.

Karen says:

Hey Stephanie, it is comforting to know that God keeps us forever! Most of us relate to a misfit story in some way. Thanks for visiting and commenting!

Someone told me that Rudolf will no longer run on television because of the bullying that happens in the story. So sad to think that anyone wouldn’t recognize the message of the story. So thankful for God’s love for us as misfits. Thanks for a great post! God bless! Happy New Year!

Karen says:

Oh my, Nancy! I hope that’s not true. Rudolph is such a beloved story with a deep meaning of rescue…being chosen and kept. Happy New Year to you!

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