A Different Kind of Christmas

 

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which means God with us. (Matthew 1:23)

Back in November, I was telling my friends how busy the month of December was going to be. Every weekend was crammed full of plans, parties, events, etc. There were cards to address, cookies to bake, and numerous church services to attend. 

An accident the night before Thanksgiving cleared my calender in an instant. I was going to attend church service Thanksgiving Eve when I slipped on snow-covered porch steps, broke my ankle, and severely damaged the ligaments in my right foot and leg. Instead of enjoying the church service, I was headed to the hospital by ambulance. Upon arrival at the ER, I was told I would need surgery Thanksgiving morning to repair the damage.

After five days in the hospital, I was discharged home to begin three months of recovery. I can't drive or bear weight on my leg for 12 weeks, so my main way to move around is by wheelchair. I have been housebound for the past month. It's a different kind of Christmas this year, but one that has been filled with more blessings than I can count. My children and family worked hard to get things set up so I could recover at home rather than in a rehab facility. In just a few days, they set my home up to be wheelchair friendly which included installing a bathroom downstairs. The offers of help, visits, and acts of kindness that have been lavished on me are too numerous to mention. I am blessed!

If I looked only at the external circumstances in my life at this time, this would be a dismal Christmas indeed. After another year of praying for my marriage to be healed, my husband continues to choose to live with his girlfriend in another state away from me, his children, and grandchildren. This is the fourth Christmas without him. It's always hard this time of the year, but I am still so incredibly blessed to have my children and grandchildren living nearby and to be able to spend time with them. I can't imagine life without them. Even more, I can't imagine life without God. Again, God has sustained me in ways too numerous to list.

Last week, exactly one week before Christmas, my pastor committed suicide which shocked our church congregation and those who knew him. Nobody saw it coming. He was 30 years old and left behind a wife and little daughter. It makes no sense, but is one of those things I need to leave in God's hands.  Again, this is hard stuff to cope with, but I was thinking about how fortunate I was to have known him during his short time here on this earth. His life impacted mine in a very positive way. I will never forget his kindness during my accident and recovery. He visited me in the hospital and at home, and during those times I was blessed by his encouragement and prayers.

The same day my pastor took his life, I received a letter from my place of employment  informing me that they will not hold my position after February 4th, even though my physician sent a note stating I cannot drive and need to be off work for 12 weeks. I need to have a second surgery on my foot mid February. A day later, I received two more opportunities for freelance writing to add to an already pretty full plate of writing opportunities. I've been praying about being able to transition to writing full time at home. Could this be God's open door for yet another blessing? God works in amazing and mysterious ways. I'm not sure how all of this will play out, but I'm going to trust God. 

In spite of all the changes in my life this Christmas season, I continue to be amazed at how much I have to be thankful for. God has allowed me to see life differently. I now know the importance of living one day at a time. We can plan for the future, but our plans can be changed in a second. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Tomorrow it may be too late.

This Christmas I'm reflecting on the baby that was placed in a manager long ago. Immanuel, God with us. God is still with us. He is with us when life is filled with difficult circumstances. I find comfort in knowing that I'm never alone, no matter what. I've had more time this Christmas to reflect on the true meaning of the season. No hustle, no bustle, no rushing about shopping, no running from one event to the other, and I'm okay with that. It has been a different Christmas, but one I'm grateful to have experienced, because it has allowed me time to dwell on what really matters most.

Welcome Autumn

He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. (Psalm 104: 13) 

I feel so thankful when I  look out my window and see the mountains bursting with hues of red, orange, and yellow. Fall has arrived on the scene once again. What a beautiful time of the year to reflect on our Heavenly Father and rejoice in the wonder of the world he created.

A walk outside reveals the faint aroma of wood smoke wafting through the valley. In the distance, I see smoke curling up from the chimneys of  homes snuggled in the mountainside. It conjures up images of families huddled in front of a fireplace warm and cozy.

And who can resist the flavors of fall? It's the season to savor the scent of vegetable soup, chili, or potato chowder simmering on the stove. I start thinking about pumpkin pies with whipped topping and thick slices of pumpkin bread spread thick with creamy frosting. It's the time of the year when the abundance of apples are transformed into apples pies, apple crisp, and plump apple dumplings drizzled with maple syrup. 

Aside from the tastes and scents of fall, it's beauty alone is a reason to celebrate the wonderful world God created. Autumn is only here for a short season before winter makes its appearance. If we aren't careful, we will miss it. This actually happened to me one year. I was busy with many things and did not slow down long enough to notice the changing of the leaves. One day I was driving home from work and the trees were bare. I felt sad, because I, somehow, had missed fall and all its splendor. 

I'm more careful now to savor each part of autumn and to thank God for the beauty surrounding me in the changing of the seasons.


 

Like a Tree Planted by Streams of Water

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. (Psalms 1:1-4)


When we meditate on the truth in the Bible and delight in it, we will be like a tree planted by streams of water. We will yield fruit in season and not wither. Whatever we do will prosper. What an encouraging promise from God!

Where do we start? By not seeking our guidance from the wicked. The world is full of those who are against God. We must make the choice to obey God's word, not the advice of man. In the above verses, mockers refer to those who have no regard for God's truth. They make fun of believers.  They laugh at sin and show no remorse for their own sin. Those who know God should not stand in the way of sinners. We don't take part in their sinfulness or spend our time hanging out with them on a regular basis.

To obey God's word we must know it. We can't delight in something we have no clue about. By reading the Bible and studying it, we learn truth and and know how much God loves us. We cling to his promises. We stand in awe of who he is. Meditating on it day and night doesn't mean we carry a Bible around and do nothing else. It means we have a constant habitual regard for the word of God. As we go about our daily routine, we strive to live according to God' principles. We desire to live in a way that pleases him, no matter how ungodly the culture around us is.

A person who is deeply rooted in the word of God is blessed. A blessed person is joyful and content, because she knows she is walking with God and following his plan for her life. God blesses those who follow him wholeheartedly.

Why does God use the metaphor of a tree to describe his people? A healthy tree is one that has deep roots that feed and stabilize it. The tree branches supply shade and shelter. A sturdy tree with solid roots can withstand storms. The leaves of certain trees contain healing properties. Fruit trees supply nourishment, vitamins, and minerals in the fruit they bear. The metaphor of leaves that do not wither is an image of vibrant life that is not marred by sin and decay. When we stay rooted in God, we still sin because of our human condition but we don't continue in that sin. We confess it to God and he forgives us. Sin that is not confessed weighs a person down. If left un-confessed, it will eventually lead to one being withered and destroyed. 

When we allow Jesus, who is described in scripture as the living water, to saturate our parched and weary roots, we gain renewed strength and hope. When our spiritual roots are deep, we are able to endure difficult circumstances. When we are strong and grounded in our faith, we can be a shelter for others who are facing challenging times. In time, we will bear fruit if we stay rooted in God. This may require several  seasons of being dormant and bring pruned. We require continuous nourishment from God's word during these times. Then, in due season, when it is most beautiful and useful in God's perfect timing, we will bear fruit.

Prospering in all we do does not mean prosperity as the world views it. It does not mean we will become rich and famous. God does at times bless people with wealth, etc., but God is more concerned about our soul prosperity. We will prosper and succeed at doing God's will for us when we conform to his laws. We have eternal life when we are believers in Jesus Christ. Nothing we have on earth will ever compare to what awaits us when we get to heaven. Now, that is true prosperity!

The wicked have nothing to look forward to. They are merely described as chaff that the wind blows away. 

The Billowing Clouds

The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet.  (Nahum 1: 3 NLT)

What Really Matters?

 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. (Psalm 42:1 NLT)

It's been a difficult couple of months health wise and emotionally for me, as this marks the fourth year since my husband left. Scripture and time with God have been a tremendous comfort for me, but I still find myself growing discouraged at times when I wake up with one more health issue to deal with. Thankfully, God continues to draw me near to Him through the trials of life.

Living in the mountain is a delicious blessing. I was sitting peacefully in my home office writing this afternoon, when I glanced out my window and saw a doe munching on grass and raspberries. After a heat wave last week, we were treated to cooler temperatures today and abundant sunshine. It's the type of day I normally would spend outside by the pond or walking in the mountain. However, I'm nursing a sprained back and spent the day indoors with heating pads and extra pillows for comfort. I was feeling rather dismayed at being stuck indoors on such a beautiful day. Yet, I was still able to enjoy nature while sitting comfortably in my chair. Thank you, God!

How easy it is to grumble about something so trivial as a sprained back. Though painful, it could be much worse. Recently, several young people died suddenly in our local community. Many of them were healthy with no idea their time here on earth was so short. It made me think about what really matters. Regardless of what life hands us, our time on this earth will eventually end. It doesn't matter if we are young, old, or in between. 

Our world today is busy, fast paced, and filled with the distractions of technology. How quickly we lose site of what is important. When our time here on earth is snuffed out, our relationship with God is the only thing that really makes a difference. Where we spend eternity depends on whether or not we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Nothing else matters at the moment of death. 

Yet, how often we rush about, stressed out, complaining about minor annoyances, striving to get ahead, worrying about tomorrow, feeling distraught over one more disappointment that's been dropped in our lap, acting as if this old sin-filled world is all we have. 

How different our life can be when we long for what really matters--a right relationship with God. My husband deserted me and it's been very hard. But, if I had not gone through this, would I have known what it means to cling to God in the midst of loneliness and heartache?  Would I have such a close relationship with God if things had gone smoothly in my life? Health issues wear me down, but it's been through these times of pain and suffering where I've learned to rely on God's strength, not my own.

If my life ended today, what would matter? Not the fact that I have health problems or that my husband left me for another woman.

In the midst of your busy day, I pray you also will take a few moments and reflect on what really matters. Are you longing for God? Are you seeking a relationship with Him? Nothing is more important.

The Wild Flowers

I tell you not to worry about your life. Don't worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn't life more than food or clothing? Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. They don't even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren't you worth more than birds? Can worry make you live longer? 

Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don't work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn't as well clothed as one of them. God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith? 

Don't worry and ask yourselves, "Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have clothes to wear? Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. You Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. 

 (Matthew 6: 25-34) 

Are we Using our Talents?

  "No one can arrive from being talented alone. God gives talent, work transforms talent into genius." 

Anna Pavlova ~ Russian ballerina

The quote above really is true. We usually know what talents God has blessed us with, but we often fail to follow through and use them. Our God-given talents won't get us very far if we don't put action to them.

This quote made me think about the parable of the talents in Matthew 25: 14-30. The first two servants invested their talents and gained more, but the third servant was afraid and hid his talent in the ground. The last servant was called lazy and wicked for not using what his master had entrusted to his care. 

How often we are like the lazy servant? I wonder how many things never get done for the kingdom of God because of wasted talents. Sometimes it's a matter of just being afraid to step out of our comfort zones and use what God gifted us with. Other times life gets in the way. We get busy and distracted by things that have little eternal value in the big scheme of things. With technology today consuming more and more of our time, I think we often spend hours doing things that really don't matter, such as checking facebook and responding to numerous text messages. While there's nothing wrong or sinful about these things, we need to ask ourselves if they are keeping us from using our time in wiser and more constructive ways.

 God indeed does give us our talent, but we have to move forward and do the work to make those talents accomplish what God desires to do in each of our lives. Being talented truly doesn't get us anywhere if we don't put forth the hard work and effort and use it.

The Hummingbirds are Back!

 O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.  

(Psalm 104: 24)

 

 

Motherhood - The Highest Calling

"I am the Lord's servant, " Mary answered. May it be to me as you have said. (Luke 1: 38)

 

When the angel appeared and announced to Mary that the power of the Holy Spirit would overshadow her and she would conceive a child, Mary willingly accepted the high calling to be a mother. Mary certainly hadn't planned the pregnancy, and the timing surely seemed way off. Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph. In biblical times a woman who became pregnant before marriage could be stoned to death. 

Mary wasn't worried about having enough money to start a family. She wasn't concerned with how it might affect her career. She never complained that she wasn't ready to be a mom. She didn't argue that perhaps she was too young or too old to have a baby. She simply accepted the blessing of motherhood as a servant of the Lord. 

It saddens me today how differently some women view motherhood. They see it as a burden rather than a blessing. They don't want to be "tied down" with a baby. Some even head to the nearest abortion clinic to put an end to the life that God is knitting together in their womb. Mothers used to sacrifice their lives for their children. It was just accepted that when you became a mother, you put aside your own selfish pursuits and focused on raising your family. 

My mother and her best friend were the most devoted moms I ever knew. They never went anywhere without their little ones. I never once heard my mother say: "I need a break from these kids!" Mom was happy when we got out of school for the summer, and she was sad when we went back in the fall. She loved us and we knew it. There was never any doubt that she cherished the high calling of being a mother. 

Mom passed away 21 years ago, and I still treasure the memories of her and the wonderful childhood I had. There was never any doubt that she would be there when we needed her. She didn't go out shopping with her friends, go to the gym, or belong to clubs. On rare occasions, when she did go somewhere, she took us with her. Her days consisted of playing with us kids, going for walks, baking treats, and fixing us meals. Her evenings were spent curled up on the couch watching TV with us kids and then tucking us into bed. I was blessed to have her. She was one in a million. 

I share this not to inflict guilt upon anyone. No mother is perfect, and I certainly made enough of my own mistakes. At times I was the mother yelling: "I need a break! These kids are driving me crazy!" There's nothing wrong with taking a break from your children to go shopping, work on a hobby, etc. Life now is different than it was in my mother's generation, and each individual has unique challenges and circumstances to deal with.

I want to encourage every woman who has been given the high calling of motherhood to cherish it, embrace it, enjoy it, and to know that not one minute you spend with those precious babies will ever be regretted. Raising my four children was the greatest thing I ever did. No career will ever compare to the years I spent nurturing little ones. No future pursuit will be more important. 

When the years pass away and you leave this earth, what memories will your children have of you? Will they be sweet memories of time spent together? Will they remember you as a devoted mom who always sacrificed her own needs for their needs? 

We should all be inspired by Mary's response to learning she was about to be a mother. We need to accept it as a gift from God and rejoice that we were chosen to be entrusted with the high calling of motherhood. We are blessed!

Let Me Hear Your Voice

My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face lovely. (Song of Songs 2: 14)

Heavenly Father, 

I am awestruck knowing that you desire to have an intimate relationship with me. You know my faults and my weaknesses. You see doubt and worry on my face and hear complaining and grumbling coming from my mouth. You know how often I fail and stumble on my walk of faith. I marvel that in spite of my faltering ways, you still you see my face as lovely and my voice as sweet.

You know the rhythm of my heart. You know my yearning to feel loved, cherished, and cared for in a world that often feels unloving, lonely, and cold. How easy it is to give in to discouragement and depression and listen to the lies of the enemy. Too often, I trade in a glorious encounter with you for a cheap substitute this world offers that only leaves me empty, discontent, and longing for more.

Yet, there you are! So close...wooing and luring me to come away with you. Above the symphony of all you created....the roaring thunder, the waves crashing along the seashore, the howling winds, and the melody of the birds, you still hear my small voice calling out to you, and you answer me. You are always there. I never have to compete for your affection or love. Your love quenches the deepest thirsting of my soul and is eternal.