Tuesday, December 25, 2007

The Gift

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (NIV)

The grandgirlies were up and chatting around 5 AM, ready to start the day; but all the adults voted no. It was hard to keep them from waking each other and staying quiet since they are all sleeping in the same room having given up the comfort of their own rooms to the rest of us. But peace reigned for a couple of more hours after Mom laid down the rules and they drifted back to sleep. It is customary in our house that the children may come out to see the tree once they hear the strains of Christmas carols. The air is always filled with their excitement as they impatiently wait for the music. Calls down the stairs to check if we are ready are routine. It is so hard to wait! But finally, the tree lights are shining, the fire is lit, cameras are ready and the coffee is on. It is time! Just think how Mary and Joseph must have felt that first Christmas morning. As they gazed into the face of that sleeping baby, the wonder of the miracle that had just happened along with the responsibility that goes with a new baby must have overwhelmed them. Our little girls arrived with big eyes and bright smiles and began the much loved tradition of taking turns to open their presents—oohing and ahhing after each followed with thank you’s and lots of hugs and kisses. After a while, each one drifted off to her own corner to check out her stash more thoroughly leaving the floor littered with paper, ribbons, tape, cards, and boxes. I know that after a couple of weeks, the newness will wear off and they will struggle to remember who gave them what. But I imagine the young family in Bethlehem was excited, too. They didn’t have all the trappings that we are used to. In fact, they only had one gift. But this Present, wrapped in swaddling clothes, was the greatest Gift of all. He was destined to be our Savior and would make a difference that would echo through all the ages. My heart swells with emotion as I watch those that I love enjoy this special day. But I am even more grateful that these little girls understand that the little baby Jesus is the reason we say, Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Answers

As soon as I pray, you answer me;
you encourage me by giving me strength.
Psalm 138:3 (NLT)

This verse leaped out at me this morning. Over the past few weeks, I have had a couple of specific prayer requests that I have earnestly prayed about but I don't feel like I am getting any answers. And it has been discouraging. Day after day passes with no apparent change in the situations. But this verse says that "as soon as I pray," He answers. So where is the disconnect? As I pondered, I realized it is with me. I want Him to answer my requests—my way—on my time schedule. Yes, He promises to hear, answer, and give me strength and encouragement…but in HIS time frame. I have no idea what is going on in the heavenlies or behind the scenes. The battle is raging and I am on a need-to-know basis about all of it. I guess I don't need to know yet. The part that was new to me is that in those periods of waiting, He will encourage me by giving me strength. Rather than whining and complaining, I can watch with great expectation for what He is going to do. In our day and age, we have come to expect that an episode of life can be resolved in an hour, a cup of tea heats in 60 seconds, and a message can be sent in seconds over the Internet. But actually, none of that means anything in the time frame of God. As C. S. Lewis says in The Great Divorce, "This moment contains all moments." One day, our eyes will be opened and we will see the back-lot staging of our lives. For now, be encouraged.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Upside Down

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. Ephesians 3:17-18 (NLT)

I completed the Believing God study this week with a sense of gratitude for all that I have learned yet with a letdown feeling that it is over. I don't remember a time of study where I have been more stretched. We were challenged to look at our belief systems to determine what is true and to hold fast to those, letting others go. I think the most important thing that I learned was that faith is active – I'm believing God –not I believe in God. I learned from the illustration of our father, Abraham, who believed God in an impossible situation. It was faith that made the difference and that was what God was looking for and rewarded. Reading Romans 4 for twenty times made that fact crystal clear. I know I can pray specifically knowing that He answers me even if it is not in MY time frame; I can already thank Him for what He is going to do. We looked at the promises that are outlined in the shield of faith, giving us tools to fight the evil forces in our world. My whole mind-set was turned upside down. Our final assignment was to draw and place the rocks of remembrance of our life on a timeline so that we could see how God had been directing us – even when we were unaware of His footsteps. This was not an easy task for two reasons; some things happened a long time ago and it was hard to remember. The other was I had to face how my wrong choices affected my life. But the best part was seeing God's mercy and love even when I wanted my own way. He was there. He was patient. He nudged me in the right way. I can only say thank you, LORD! I'm believing God.

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Full Circle

The people crossed the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month. Then they camped at Gilgal, just east of Jericho. It was there at Gilgal that Joshua piled up the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River. Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’" Joshua 4: 19-22 (NLT)

For the past two weeks, in the Believing God study, we looked at the story of Joshua and the children of Israel at Gilgal. Gilgal means "circle" and illustrates the full circle necessary for the nation of Israel to complete before entering the Promised Land. This week has been a kind of Gilgal for me in several ways. Although busy, I have enjoyed the stuff of Christmas. Last year is just a blur in my mind since it was so dominated by my mother's fall and final graduation…it was actually on this very day. But this year I made four kinds of Christmas cookies, mailed out Christmas cards (even with a letter since life has been so crazy), had friends over, and enjoyed being invited to friends for dinner. My heart was lifted once again as we enjoyed a wonderful concert, given in our community by a group called The Gatekeepers. Fourteen young people, with talents both vocally and instrumentally, delighted us with the traditional carols and sacred music of the season. We stood to our feet, rejoicing together in praise, as they performed the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah. Yes, the miracle of life was given to us in the birth of the baby Jesus, the King of Kings and LORD of Lords. It feels good to have some of the traditional activities back, however, I have a much better understanding of the real substance of Christmas. Jesus is the one who took hold of my hand last year in my grief and held on while He led me along many paths this year. I am so thankful that I have His promise that I will never have to walk alone. If things get too hectic and the joy is missing in your home, remember that Gilgal represented a new beginning. Start over…today…and join in the hope and wonder of Christmas.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Treasures


But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19 (NASB)
In my last post I wrote about my speaking gig at my church's Advent Tea. Each hostess decorated her own table and I mentioned that I had to find some decorations to use on mine. I have included a picture of my table with some of the Christmas trees collected from all over the world. We are headed into a very busy time of year. So take a few minutes to reflect and give thanks for the gift of the baby Jesus, pour yourself a cup of tea, and click on "Listen to my Christmas Podcast" in the left hand column. May the Prince of Peace bless you today.