Merry Christmas

Holidays are stressful.   I battle daily with the issue of control.  Holidays are hard because they involve a change of routine and structure.  I don't always know what is happening next and it unnerves me.  I'm sure that sounds strange to some but if you have ever had your very being shaken to its core or had your ability to control anything stolen from you, you get where I'm coming from.  

This Christmas season has been no different.  I have found myself following "old patterns" of relating to others, of responding to stress and trying to resurrect that old mask that says everything is okay.  Then when things don't go well, I get defensive, I withdraw and ultimately am miserable. (This causes everyone around me to be miserable as well.)

Darkness is a lot safer than light when I feel out of control.  I can hide, I can wallow, I can be the old me. But, in  the very early and dark hours of this morning (like 3am!) I felt God nudge me to spend time in His word.  This wasn't something I wanted to do since God's word would shed light into my "safe" darkness.  Reluctantly I obeyed.  

I turned in my Bible to Luke.  This seemed logical since it is almost Christmas.  As I read the familiar story, I tried to imagine what Mary must have felt.  She was so young.  She had lost all control over her circumstances and yet she obeyed.  She gave birth in the darkness of a stable. She could have stayed in that darkness, but the greatest gift ever given would have been lost if she had.  

Thank goodness that we don't have to stay in the darkness and be miserable!  Light destroys darkness and reveals truth and a full life.   A life filled with Christ.  A life filled to overflowing with love, grace and mercy.  There will be times when living in the light is uncomfortable but it beats fumbling around in the darkness!  We each have a gift that can't be shut away in the darkness but must be shared in the light. 

God's love for us is so great that He can't be hidden if we truly believe His promises to us.  He shines in and through us. Take a look at Luke 1 and 2 and see for yourself how darkness was overcome by a courageous woman and the birth of her baby.  

Merry Christmas!

Ice Storms

We are supposed to have a day of sleet, freezing rain and rain in Virginia. It's Sunday and for now, church is on hold for our family. It certainly doesn't mean a day away from God though. Spending time every morning in His word and reflecting on His promises, happens no matter the weather outside. 

I sometimes think that God orchestrates things like ice storms to allow us to slow down and spend quality time, maybe even unplanned time with Him. If we had a normal day today, I'd go to an awesome church service and have family time this afternoon (both good things); now I hope I'm listening as God may reveal His heart in my "forced" slow down. 

What are your plans today? Church?  Shopping? Decorating?  Watching football?  Maybe God's greatest desire is for you to sit at His feet and enjoy His presence. 

Acorns

There seem to be a lot of acorns this year. As I walked outside yesterday I noticed squirrels scurrying around gathering them. They are moving them away from their parent tree. They are taking them to new places, new ground. I was reminded that God does this with His followers. We grow from his massive branches and deep roots.  Then in obedience, we spread to the ends of the earth. 

Like an acorn we are "part" of the parent. When we are replanted and grow, we resemble our parent. A replanted acorn grows into an oak tree. A replanted follower of Christ grows into a disciple. It is God's desire that we share who we are in Him in our new place. We do that by being rooted in His word daily and by extending our branches to reach and embrace those who do not know of His great love for all people. 

Where we have been replanted is not an accident.  Our workplaces, neighborhoods, ball fields and schools all have people that God is placing within your reach.  As we interact with others, are we reflecting our parent "tree"?  Are we leading others to know Christ?  

Today I'd like to highlight an agency doing amazing work. Richmond Justice Initiative is a local agency working to eradicate human trafficking. They are hosting an Abolition conference on January 10 and 11.

The registration cost is $40 through December 5.  After that, the cost is $50.

Please visit www.richmondjusticeinitiative.com for more information and to register.

December 2 -
I'm so grateful that God doesn't really care if I'm happy or not.  Of course, God wants us to be full.  "Full" of what?  Full of grace, full of faith, full of love, full of obedience, full of peace?  Yes, all of those.  What he spoke to me about most recently though was being full of joy.

You see, I was meeting with my pastor several months ago and he commented that I needed to be joyful about where I am, not wishing my life was different.  In my flesh, I wanted to say, "What??"  You have no idea about my life and all that I have going on.  I left somewhat annoyed and not really sure exactly what he meant.

God continued to stir my heart as that comment kept coming to my mind throughout the day for several days. I just couldn't get my head around the idea that I could be filled with joy when there was so much chaos around me.  Relationships were hard, work was not what I wanted it to be, my parenting left a lot to be desired and even ministry work was frustrating.

It was during one of my quiet times with the Lord several weeks later that I heard a clear response to my confusion about being joyful.  Joy is internal and is what is happening IN you, who you are in Christ.  Happiness is external and is based on what is happening to you at a particular time.  It was very clear that we can be both unhappy and joy-filled at the same time. Of course there are other combinations of these. Happy and joy-filled, unhappy and joy-less, and even happy but joy-less. What my pastor said made so much sense in that moment. I definitely could be filled with joy even when I was unhappy with the chaos around me.

During this season of advent, it is important that we know the fullness of joy that comes from God living in us.  If you are waiting for the moment when you feel happy to be joy-filled, you may be waiting a long time, like me.  Don't wait - ask God right now to fill you with His joy in abundance.

Waiting...

Well, this has sure been a challenge to keep up with.  I love to talk, I love to text, I love to write but it seems as if I never get to do much of the writing anymore.  I aim to change that!  It's December 1 and I'm going to pledge to post a blog everyday between now and Christmas.

As Advent begins this year, I am reminded about anticipating things.  I am not a great waiter.  I just like to know what's happening - when, where, and why!  Over the years God has worked on me big time in this area.  It's really an insult to God when we assume that WE have to be in control and know everything in advance.  It is when we have faith and trust in God that we allow His plans to guide and direct us.  I plan to use this Advent season (waiting period) to reflect on His greatness and His provision in my life.  I hope you'll join me as I share and reflect on this past year.