When Keys--and Joy--Fall Through Pocket Holes

Sometimes joy falls through a crack in our heart
like keys fall through holes in one's pocket--quite unexpectedly.

"Can you mend this pocket?" Jonathan asked me a few days ago, showing me this hole in his pocket through which his keys threaten to fall.

The hole had been growing millimeter by millimeter in that pocket
until the important keys were about to be lost.
Keys are like promises--unlocking doors of grace, hope and peace.

And the hole in Jonathan's pocket was like little cracks of doubt that start to wear away at our hearts.

Did the Lord really mean it when He said that He is the one "Who forgives all our iniquities" ?

Does He really execute "righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed."
  We doubt that He really is "merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy."

Doubt that He really "knoweth our frame" and remembers "that we are dust."

Lord, we ask that You would mend any holes in our pockets and hearts through which could fall through our hopes, our joys, and our faith.

In this Christmas season, thank You for Your promises.

May they remain safely in our pockets, where we can grip them in times of need.