Lord of the Ring

When my husband asked me what I’d like for Christmas, all I could think of was a ring. One I could not yet imagine. Certainly, not a ring marked by beauty or power, but one of purpose.

In October, I attended a worship conference in western North Carolina where the Smokey Mountains blazed with the vibrant artistry of fall. Such breathtaking beauty that reflecting the majesty of creation. The conference proved even more enriching, a time of experiencing the Holy Spirit lead the attendees in worship that flowed seamlessly between music and prayer.

During the final session, the conference leader challenged us to make this style of devoted worship a regular practice in our lives. Seeming intentionally coy, he smiled slightly and hinted that perhaps some of us would choose to follow the practice of Count Zinzendorf in wearing a ring to symbolize their true devotion and commitment to God. Like a wedding band, it would signify a vow to remain faithful to The Lord of the Ring, and serve as a constant reminder to remain faithful in worship and passionate in prayer.

I was intrigued! I searched to learn more about this Count Zinzendorf. I discovered he was born into a noble family in Saxony in 1700. But his interest in spiritual matters far outweighed any expectations for royal service. As a young university student, he, along with four friends, solemnly covenanted to follow a three-part Rule of Life: to be kind to all people, be true to Christ, and to send the gospel to the world. They each marked the vow with a ring they promised to wear for life.

This fellowship of friends, based on disciplines of prayer, worship, and the reading and applying of Scripture, went on to spearhead thriving Christian communities and the first missionary movement of the Reformation. Their commitment to embrace deep spirituality led to a Moravian Pentecost in 1727, followed soon after by a continuous 24-7 prayer watch that lasted for over one hundred years, and whose impact reverberated around the world.

How could I not be inspired by Zinzendorf and the communities so committed to passionate discipleship? And yet, how could I possibly compare to the spiritually vibrant lives of men and women such as these? I wrestle too often with faltering faith and doubt and weakness to enter their ranks. Surely, I could not be considered fit to wear a ring signifying such faithful devotion.

Though able to wholeheartedly commit to the three objectives of devotion to Christ, kindness to all, and spreading of the gospel, my frailties are all too apparent. Like Frodo in JRR Tolkien’s novel, The Lord of the Rings, I can humbly say, “I will take the ring, but I do not know the way.” Yet, despite my known limitations, I earnestly long to embrace the vow and be tangibly reminded to live a life devoted to prayer and worship.

And so, I dared to search for a possible ring. I found myself drawn to Celtic trinity rings with their continuous, intertwined lines symbolizing the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I showed my favorite choice to my husband, he ordered it, and the gift was sealed.

The week following Christmas carried an unexpected share of struggles, and I’m ashamed to say I did not reflect stability of faith nor intentional kindness very well. In the midst of the emotional swirl, I became increasingly conscious of the ring on my hand and my failing to live what it stood for. On two occasions, I yanked it off in frustration and set it aside. I felt my heart needed humble alignment before I could truly wear it.

And there came the realization. The Holy Spirit was already using the ring to guide me to self-examination, and remind me that God’s love supersedes my shortcomings. The ring is a symbol of my commitment to live devoted to God and to advance His Kingdom, even in my weakness and stumbling. Yet it also serves as a reminder of who He is as forever faithful in His love and grace. And so, I entered a place of both wrestling and sweet surrender that in the end proved good.

If I lived in the early 18^th century, I would have eagerly sought to experience the diaspora of communities that sprang from Zinzendorf’s Rule of Life. Oh, to have experienced the spiritual passion that spread like wildfire during that time. Yet, the same Holy Spirit works with the same power and truth in men and women today. Yes, also in me.

If wearing a symbolic ring stands as a constant reminder to be true to Jesus, kind to all, and to share the gospel, then let it serve its purpose. Even during times of struggle and suffering, Jesus is Lord of my life and the Lord of this ring. In faith, I will boldly take and wear it. May it constantly remind me to love God and serve others well. May it continually call me to pray and worship with passion.

Truly, there is no better time than the present to humbly join in the fellowship of the ring.

Living Out the Power of Good Friday & the Freedom of Easter

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Photo credit: Steven Erixon, Unsplash, Free Domain

Living Out the Power of Good Friday and the Freedom of Easter

In my natural health doctor’s office hangs a framed word picture on a simple 8 ½ X 11 paper. The faded print contains one word: “Forgive,” written in the shapes of once colorful jewels. It’s not particularly aesthetic, yet clearly reflects my doctor’s understanding of how precious and valuable forgiveness is. By displaying this print, she openly shares its message with all her patients. She aptly directed my attention to it on occasion, stating how forgiveness plays a significant role in one’s health and healing.

I’ve thought a lot about forgiveness during Holy Week, how Jesus is the ultimate example of what it means to forgive. He forgave the sins of the world at a great cost: betrayal, denial, and abandonment by his closest friends; a forced death sentence by jealous religious leaders; ongoing abuse, assault, mocking, insult, and ultimate death by Roman soldiers; and grievous separation from His Father.

He exemplified forgiveness through His life and suffering. As He hung on the cross, he prayed for the jeering spectators, asking God to forgive them because they did not know what they were doing by killing the Son of God (Luke 23:34). He forgave the thief who hung on the cross next to his, in a deathbed confession of sorts (Luke 23:42). Throughout His ministry to the diseased, to those lacking in faith and on the fringes of society, He repeatedly declared, “Your sins are forgiven.” Forgiveness was the greatest gift He offered, both to them and us.

Jesus spoke of the crucial importance of forgiving others, using the Heavenly Father as our highest example. As we offer others forgiveness, God will forgive us; if we do not forgive others, He will not in His mercy forgive us (Matthew 6:14-15). Such weighty words! The apostle Paul also instructs us to reflect the forgiveness that Jesus demonstrated on the cross. He said, “Forgive each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

How can we possibly forgive like Jesus? He sacrificed Himself to forgive the weight of the whole world’s sin. Yet, I struggle to forgive a neighbor, friend, or family member who has hurt or offended me. Jesus told a parable about a king canceling a massive debt, a direct reflection of Him completely removing the burden of our sin. In response, are we then prone to forgive others from the heart, like our Savior has forgiven us? (Matthew 18:23-35). We may desire to live out forgiveness like Jesus, but how do we forgive every wrong done against us, every relational offense? Every betrayal, denial, insult, attack, judgement, abandonment?

The Bible does not make light of relational pains or the deep wounds they produce. Psalm 55 addresses the confoundment and anguish felt by the betrayal of broken relationships from close friends and companions. The prophet Jeremiah refers to having “wounds as deep as the sea” and questions, “Who can heal you?” (Lamentations 2:13b). The depth of relational division (yes, even within the church) and inability to work towards mutual understanding, validation for pain, and inner healing, causes us deep personal suffering. David’s only recourse was to call out to God in trust, and to encourage us to cast our cares on Him and believe He will sustain us (Psalm 55:16,22).

I have come to realize that our deep, festering wounds can only find true healing in the very wounds of Jesus. His sacrificial wounds alone can fully heal ours.

When Jesus shared a final meal with His closest friends, He expressed the longings of His heart with a commanding invitation: “Take and eat; this is my body….Drink from my cup.” He directed them to accept the sacrifice of His body crucified and blood spilt for them, His closest friends, “for the forgiveness of (their) sins” (Matthew 26:26-28). Jesus bore great physical wounding so our wounded souls could be healed: His body mangled with whips, fists, and slaps; His head punctured by a thorny crown, His hands and feet pierced by nails, His body hung heavy upon a cross, His side thrust with a spear. The true Passover Lamb calls us to embrace all He did on our behalf. He endured the cross and bore each wound in love, so we can know the healing and freedom that His forgiveness brings. For the power of forgiveness is God’s glory displayed through the wounds of His Son.

Forgiveness is directly tied to freedom. Even within the complexity of relational brokenness, true freedom can occur. To forgive those who have hurt us does not make their actions right or excusable. But, our forgiving them makes us free. We will experience freedom by the very act of releasing them to God. “The first and only person to be healed by forgiveness is the person who does the forgiveness….When we genuinely forgive, we set a prisoner free and then discover that the prisoner we set free was us.” (Louise Smedes)

Granted, it is easier to forgive a wrong that occurred in the past than an ongoing painful situation or relationship. Jesus told Peter there is no cap on forgiving others. We are called to forgive on a continual basis without keeping a record of wrongs. It’s an offering of ongoing redemption; a continual commitment to love and forgive like Jesus. In so doing, we live out the New Covenant command Jesus gave at the Last Supper, to “Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12). Forgiveness calls us to intentionally forgive others by laying down our lives in love for them, just as Jesus laid down His life for us and continually forgives and loves us.

When trust is broken with someone and it feels difficult to forgive, remind yourself that your wounds reflect those of your Savior who graciously forgives you. Ask God to help you forgive the painful actions or stinging words that feel inexcusable. Ask Him to loose the weight on your heart and replace it with His love. For, to release relational wounds, painful situations, and hurtful persons to God, He will indeed set us free. It is His transformative work alone that will heal us from our woundedness.

We strongly reflect God when we forgive in love. We put Him on display with the winsomeness and attractiveness of forgiveness to heal our wounds and relationships. Through the Holy Spirit’s power and guidance, we can live with hearts bent towards forgiveness and freedom.

Good Friday beckons us to intentionally step into the shadow of the cross to find forgiveness exemplified in pure, redemptive love. And Easter Sunday’s empty tomb resonates with a song of victory and hope and freedom. Boldly join its chorus of ongoing transformative love, knowing His wounds were willingly borne to heal the wounds of the world.

The true beauty of forgiveness far exceeds the value of jewels. May it sparkle in all the brilliance of ongoing redemptive love in our lives, in our words and actions and hearts.

A Love Note to My Adult Child

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A Love Note to My Adult Child

You are my greatest investment
The deepest joy of my heart
Your stability and strength – my strongest longing
Your leaps of progress – my delight
Your pathways to growth – solace to my soul

Though my heart radiates with love for you
There are limits to what I can do
I have cut you loose from childhood ties
Free to make your own choices
You alone must navigate your life
To taste the exhilaration of personal achievements
And the painful lessons of stumbling and loss
To rise again, walk forward, and blaze your own trails

My precious child,
I will not make choices for you
I will not try to change you
I will not work to heal you or rescue you
Yet, I will not ever give up on you

I promise to always be here for you
To walk beside you through thick and thin
To speak with encouragement and hope
To throw my arms around you and hold you tight
To celebrate who you have been created to be
To intensely live out redemption, restoration, and love

I will offer kind counsel whenever asked
And redirect you back to your True North
To be a beacon that reflects the Light of the world
To tenderly nudge your heart toward your Way Maker
To never, ever stop praying for you

You cannot ever lose my love! I will always be for you!
This is my unbreakable covenant to you

I love you dearly, Mom

A Love to Live By

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On January 1st, a dear friend texted a Happy New Year’s wish and shared that God gave her the word ‘Fly’ for 2022. I was not surprised! How apt for this woman who walks so vibrantly with God. She further encouraged me to listen for His word for me this year, so that I, too, could spread my wings and fly.

I’ve never put much stock in claiming ‘One Word’ to define an entire year. However, during a particularly challenging year, I did choose the word “Resolute.” I knew I needed much resolve and determination to get through the hurdles I was facing that year. In 2021, I did not choose a word, but rather a word chose me. No doubt, we can all relate to the drain of covid struggles and restrictions for a second year in a row. Yet, aside from the pandemic, have you found yourself wrestling with doubts, uncertainties, and questions that surface in the swirl of life? I certainly have. In the midst of these concerns, the need for deeper levels of “Trust” have surfaced repeatedly. As a result, greater trust in God became my mantra in 2021.

Yet, my friend’s text caught me a little off guard. When I’ve considered choosing a word in the past, it stemmed from a spiritual need I wished to be filled. Desiring to be resolute in faith or trust more deeply, were ways to grow spiritually. Not a bad thing. However, could I change my perspective to believe God has a word to give me for spiritual guidance and release in the next twelve months? Not to conjure up a purposeful word for myself, but instead, to receive a Holy Spirit guided theme as a gift from Him to me. And so, I dared to pray and ask God if He indeed had a specific word to reveal to me. I honestly did not expect a speedy reply.

The following morning, I woke with the Crowder song, “How He Loves” running through my mind, a song that echoes the absolute assurance of the Lord’s love for us. God often speaks to me through music. When I wake with a song playing in my head, I have learned to receive it as an encouragement from God, a way that He is singing over me (Zephaniah 3:17). Could this song be His answer to my prayer? Can I believe in the depth of God’s love for me, that He is jealous for my heart, that His mercy for me weighs deep, that even my afflictions are lovingly eclipsed by His glory?!!

And then it hit me. God’s word gift to me is His love in all its power and perfection. It is not my need to strive to love Him and others better, though I certainly desire to grow in both. Rather, He is speaking of my need to believe with absolute assurance in the steadfastness of His love for me right in the middle of life’s shadows and struggles and unknowns.

When we feel buffeted and weakened by storms in life, are we able to look deep into who God is and find solace in His steadfast love? When weak, can we find strength in the reality that His love is powerful and unchanging? When broken with pain, are we able to remind ourselves that His love is an unshakable and sure promise to us?

God Himself declared truth about His nature by saying, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, [is] slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands…” (Exodus 34:6-7). He further affirmed His irrevocable love for us through various prophets. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3). “I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…” (Isaiah 49:15b-16). “You are precious and honored in my sight…I love you” (Isaiah 43:3). “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail….so great is His unfailing love” (Lamentations 3:22 & 32b). Each one a prophetic promise.

All Scripture echoes affirmations of God’s unfailing love. God Himself is love. His greatest love proof is in sending His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (John 4:10). Paul declared that absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:38-9). He further prays that we may “have power…. to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love…” (Ephesians 3:18-19).

So, in light of all these Scriptural absolutes, how do we get to the place of resting in the unfailing, immeasurable love of God when our world is rocked with suffering and struggles, with questions and doubts? In the weeks since I received the word-gift from God, I have realized my need to acknowledge the rich power and beauty of His love for what it truly is. This is more than a mere lifting of my eyes. It is a conscious choosing to push through the tangles of earthly struggle and acknowledge God’s love as absolute, the bedrock of my faith. I envision myself pushing aside the brokenness of life and the lies of the enemy to reveal the existence of the strong, unfaltering love of God. For this is who He says He is. “Know that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love….” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

Greater than all the uncertainties and unknowns this coming year may hold, we are undergirded by God’s unshakeable and relentless love for us. Even at our weakest, we can stand with confidence and trust that His love will hold and carry us. For when we sincerely trust that His unchangeable love is greater than the chaos and noise of life, we will find deep comfort and faith for every situation. For when “we know and rely on the love God has for us, [that] God IS love” (I John 4:16), our faith in Him is bolstered and made secure. Then we, too, will find we can spread our wings and fly with Him into each day of the new year.

How to stay happy in marriage

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My husband and I were married by a fiery pastor with a rippling grey beard who looked everything like I pictured Moses to have looked. He was also a dearly loved mentor, who along with his precious wife, cherished us as a young dreamy eyed couple. A man who never minced words, he spoke Biblical truth with great passion and conviction. Part of his sage advice on our wedding was, “You will only be completely happy when you see to it that the other is truly happy.”

We’ve reminded ourselves of this often over the past 33 years. In times of ease, this was a simple delight. In trials, it was downright tough. But as we’ve traveled through life’s joys and sorrows, we’ve learned over and over the beauty of loving like Christ loved, of “being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose….and in humility counting the other better than yourself.” Such a high standard for loving and serving each other with selflessness, humility, and grace (Philippians 2:1-7).

We’ve struggled and failed often, but over time we’ve learned and grown tremendously. And as we’ve pledged to continually help each other refocus back to the servant love of Christ, we’ve found ourselves growing ever deeper in our love for Him and each other. Though times of suffering have challenged us, the powerful result of clinging to God is we’ve grown all the stronger in faith and love and joy because of the storms.

And our pastor friend proved right. Joy truly increases as we mutually seek for the other’s happiness.

Holy Rhythms

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In a nation (and world) that feels off beat and out of cadence, I’m searching hard for holy rhythms that resonate with empathy and authentic care for one another. Of truly wanting to feel the pulse of each other’s pain deep in our bones.

To be a symphony of souls who dare to see others suffering and loss, to hear cries of injustice and racism, to collectively reach out to ones in need, to help those reeling from a global pandemic and fractured economy. To have the rhythmic response to care and to act.

May we step into new tempos of truth telling instead of lies, humility instead of pride, empathy instead of callousness, action instead of opposition, unity instead of division, peace instead of violence.

Only then can we live true rhythms of healing.

And may we cover these with the unending rhythm of fervent, earnest prayer, of seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance for how to selflessly love and care for others to the same degree we love and care for ourselves. For love is indeed “the most excellent way” (I Corinthians 12:31).

[Photo Credit: Louise Patterton, Upslash]

Becoming Shepherds of Men

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Last night, just as dusk was setting in, we went out in search of a star. Not any ordinary star, but the Christmas star of 2020. We drove to the university’s agricultural farmland, out of view from tall North Carolina trees, to get a broad view of the horizon. As it turned out, many others lined the road, perched behind their tripods with zoom lenses and telescopes, also in search of the star in the west.

We drove to a quiet spot past the agro-ecology farm to watch the horizon transition from amber to grey, and stars begin to pop and twinkle in the night sky. And then we saw it clear as day, the double lights of the sought star. For though it looked like a star, it was actually the closest orbital alignment in almost four hundred years of the solar system’s two largest planets, Jupiter and Saturn. Astronomers are calling it “The Great Conjunction.” Though the planets remain four hundred million miles apart, they appear from earth to have a distance of one-tenth of a degree between them.

While staring up at the heavens just a few days before Christmas, I couldn’t help but think about the wisemen and shepherds in the story of Jesus’s birth. The wisemen were astronomers who studied both the heavenly constellations as well as Jewish history and prophecy. They were familiar with the messianic prophecies: “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel” (Numbers 24:17), and “But you, Bethlehem….though you are small….out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel…” (Micah 5:2) The wise men followed the star in the east to Bethlehem with a desire to worship the prophesied king of the Jews. Little did they realize he was the King of Kings born in a lowly stable.

The shepherds were also very familiar with the night sky. They spent their days and nights in the fields watching over their flocks, herding them to good pasture while protecting them from predators. Shepherding was a lowly occupation, a job that made them ceremonially unclean and seen as untrustworthy. They, like the wisemen, were very familiar with the open night sky and its canopy of blinking stars and constellations.

Imagine the shepherds circled around a fire for warmth, staring up at the sky while keeping watch over their resting sheep. All was calm, all was bright. Suddenly, an angel appeared to them, shining with the glory of God. To say they were terrified is an understatement! The angel immediately spoke assurance to them, telling them not to be afraid but to listen to his announcement of “good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Wait! What? An angel from God was sent with a message for all people, and was bringing it to shepherds, the social outcasts of society?!!

The angel went on to boldly announce that prophecy was being fulfilled that very night with the birth of the long-awaited Savior, declaring, “He is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10). What earth shattering news! The long wait was over! The Messiah had finally come! The angel gave them a sign to confirm his message. They would find a baby wrapped in long strips of cloths and lying in a manger” (:11). A manger? How strange! Why would the promised Christ child be born in a dirty manger, an animal feeding trough? That sounded all too ceremonially unclean.

Then all the heavens exploded with brilliant light and sound! For just as suddenly as the angel appeared to them, he was joined by a throng of angels robustly voicing praise to God: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (:13). No doubt, the shepherds were awestruck by the spectacular eruption of angelic light and God glorifying praise. In amazement they stared and listened, their heightened senses working to absorb the spectacle before them.

The shepherds then watched in wonder as the angels left them and went into heaven. They collected themselves, and excitedly said, “Let’s go and see!” and rushed to Bethlehem to look for the promised sign they had been given. They came to the stable and found the new family with their baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger (:16), just as they had been told.

With great joy they relayed to Joseph and Mary their amazing account of the multitude of angels who announced the coming of the Messiah. But their job was not done! The angel had told them the coming of the Messiah was “good news of great joy for all people.” So, when they had seen the sign of Jesus in the manger, “they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. And all who heard it were amazed at them” (:17-18).

Including Mary! For her child, Emmanuel come, was already changing lives just hours after his birth. The gospel transformation had begun. And “she treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (:28). True prophetic fulfillment!

It was God’s intention that the gospel come first to shepherds. They took it deeply to heart and immediately embraced the call to spread the good news of redemption to all who would hear. And people responded with wonder and joy.

The lowly shepherds of sheep were becoming shepherds of men. For that is the intended effect of the good news of redemption for the world.

The shepherds’ lives were changed by the angelic account. When they returned to their sheep and their life of quiet pasturing, they were “glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” (:20). I doubt their lives were ever the same. Every time they looked up at the night sky, they would recall the glory of God resounding through the skies with the vibrancy of heavenly angelic light and praise. Spiritual experiences like this change our perspective. We never look at life the same way; we come to see God with a much bigger lens.

How well are our hearts aligned to see and hear the good news of great joy this Christmas? How is God speaking to us about the birth of Christ being “for all people?” Are we able to ‘spread the word concerning….this child,’ the infant king, who broke into history as prophesy fulfilled with the promise of redemption life? The world remains desperate for a Savior. It longs for persons to willingly share the wonder of the Messiah come, and become “shepherds of men.”

Have Yourself a Covid Little Christmas

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We moved to a new house early this year before the uncertainty and fear of the covid pandemic swept in. It was a tad bittersweet to sell our home and acreage of eighteen years and move back to the city, yet we welcomed the change. We had tried to move for several years, so the timing was true evidence of divine orchestration.

For the first time in our marriage, we bought ourselves a Christmas tree during Thanksgiving weekend. It was a break from tradition. When we were but five months married, in the heart of a wintery December in Canada, we ventured out on a moonlit night to tromp through deep snow in search of our perfect first tree. Though less romantic but definitely full of fun, we kept up the tradition of cutting down our own tree every year with our children. Not an easy accomplishment in North Carolina. But, as for 2020 with all its craziness….we easily chose the simpler way of securing a tree.

It’s been lovely making our new home festive for Christmas with a Fraser Fir, wreaths, garlands, lots of lights, and advent candles. I dared to strip down the sentimental grapevine wreath from our wedding of many years past and transform it into something Christmassy. We’ve intentionally made pleasurable efforts to bring some festivity and normalcy to this very different 2020 Christmas season.

Is it working? Perhaps a bit, on the surface.

Beneath the glitter and lights and preparing for gift giving, everyone everywhere is aware of the difference a Covid Christmas brings. In light of the surging statistics and spiking curves, we all realize the desperate need to celebrate this Christmas on a much ‘littler’ scale. Just for this year. As one more challenge to close out 2020.

Decorating for Christmas sheds light, and breathes life and hope into dark places. The whole world seems to be gasping desperately for some hope and peace in the midst of the pandemic crisis, maybe even some festive escape. There is strong hope for reprieve with the upcoming vaccine. Yet, we seem to be longing and hoping all the more for the deeper peace and joy of Christmas in this tumultuous year.

How can we see this 2020 Christmas season with true 20-20 vision? It has certainly been an unprecedented year of new challenges and staggering loss, a year that has blurred our vision about most aspects of life. In the midst of all these uncertainties, perhaps we need to more intentionally alter our perspective on how we view Christmas this year. Instead of looking outward at the ongoing tensions, natural disasters, and Covid’s brutal attack on health and lives, let’s collectively dare to shift our gaze upward. Let your eyes rest a while on the God who initiated Christmas, and the deep significance of His timing and plan in bringing it about. He gave the world His very best by shining the great light of a Savior into deep shadows of human darkness, of breathing fresh Hope into despair. He is doing the same still.

It was the Father’s loving plan to send His Son to earth as an infant King to make a way of life for you and for me, and through Jesus, to usher in the Kingdom of God. He is perfect love. His ways are much higher than a global pandemic, divisive politics, and natural disasters. Through all the uncertainties and suffering, He remains sovereign and constant in working His purposes. The true meaning of Christmas continues on.

Fix your eyes a while on Jesus, the newborn king, lying in a manger. Ponder how He came with great intentionality to reveal the face of God to mankind through His life and love, to demonstrate just how sacrificial His love for us is. Set your heart on longing to know and understand the depths of His purpose in coming for you, for the world, and just how the hope He offers is so desperately needed in such a time as this.

Purposefully look at life through spiritual lenses and see the fingerprints of God around you, even within your little Christmas celebration. Count your blessings and give thanks in the midst of the angst. Delight in the little beauties around you. See God’s goodness in the warmth of a fireplace, the glow of twinkle lights, the joy of sharing gifts with loved ones. Feel Him in the crisp winter breeze, snowflakes lighting on your face, the heartfelt love of family and friends – even via video calls. Taste Him in the blessing of good food and drink shared (even with a few), of the overflow of truth in your heart, of the hunger to see His purposes made more fully known. And above all, sense Him and know Him as Immanuel, God with us, His presence within you and among you, as you celebrate the beauty of the gift of Jesus come to the world.

“There will be no more gloom for those who were in distress….
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light….a light has dawned.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:1, 2, 6)

Yes, this season will forever be remembered around the globe as the Covid Christmas. Though our troubles will not be fully out of sight, our deep longings to experience the true light and Hope of Christmas can keep our celebrations joyous even in their littleness and simplicity.

Have yourself a Covid little Christmas, filled to overflowing with the greatest of all hopes, Jesus come in the flesh, the Hope of the world.

Being Christmas Present

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It has now officially begun! Riding on the tail end of Thanksgiving, we have now legitimately entered the Christmas season. Isn’t it delightful to start ringing in everything the season holds: setting up the tree, hanging ornaments and decorations, going gift shopping on Black Friday? Mmmmhmmm. Maybe not the craziness of store and cyber shopping, but there certainly is a charming nostalgia that comes with twinkle lights, evergreen garlands, and the all familiar carols.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/442408363365680995/?lp=truee

But for some of us, the Christmas season may not feel so enchanting. Instead, it may feel downright painful and filled with heartache. I’m not saying this lightly. I’ve been there. I remember the Christmas early in our marriage when we’d suffered so much loss and raw heartache that we just couldn’t bring ourselves around to even putting up a Christmas tree. Other Christmas seasons have also been overshadowed with struggle and loss. At times like these, the words, “It’s the hap, happiest season of all” and “May your days be merry and bright,” simply ring trite and shallow.

You may relate, and wonder how you will find the strength to pull off Christmas this year due to your own personal painful circumstance. You may be facing the absence of a loved one, or not knowing how to deal with strained or broken relationships, or be unsure how to afford Christmas with job loss or financial strain, or how to find joy in the discouragements & disappointments of life.

Christmas after Christmas, we delight to celebrate the birth of Jesus, for He is the promised Messiah come to save us from our brokenness and sin. Two thousand years ago, the world was in desperate need of a Savior; it still is today. We, too, desperately need Him as our only Hope, regardless of our circumstances.

But here is a tender truth I have learned over the years. The most powerful way to grasp the beauty of Christmas, especially for those who are facing difficult or painful circumstances, is to firmly fix our eyes upon who Jesus is. (Hebrews 12: 2)

Yes, we look adoringly on the infant in the manger, thankful for God’s fulfilled promise of sending His Son to live and die for us. We recognize Him as our promise Messiah. Yet, I encourage you this Christmas season, to stop and deeply ponder who this infant King truly is. He isn’t confined to a tranquil manger scene!

He is the Son of Almighty God, the promised Messiah come to earth. He came to display the Father’s heart of love for us, to draw us into His love, to hold us close, and to offer healing for our wounds. Psalm 147: 3 & 11 assures, “The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

In this Christmas season, may we find the courage to look intently for Jesus in the present – in the here and now moments of every day.

Be assured that He is very close to you and looks upon you with tender love, acceptance, and understanding. He desires to reveal His saving love to you through His presence, through His Word, through His Spirit, through nativity scenes and Christmas celebrations, …… even through the empty hurting places.

For this is the truth of who Scripture says Jesus is:

He is our promised Savior (Matthew 16:16)

He is the Good Shepherd who searches for and cares for His sheep (John 10:11, Psalm 23, Matthew 18:12-14)

He is the light of the world (John 8:12)

He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)

He is our Helper (Hebrews 13:6), our Keeper (John 17:12)

He is our Restorer (Psalm 23:3), and our Peace (Ephesians 2:14)

He is the closest of friends (John 15:15), sticking closer than a brother to us through His unfailing love (Proverbs 18:24).

Jesus is very present for you and for me – in the here and now, in this Christmas season, and in every day. For He truly is Immanuel, God with us.

May we all deeply know and rely on Him and His love for us (I John 4:16) this Christmas season.

Trusting the Script Writer

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This is something I wrote last year before I had a blog to post it to. With the start of a new school year, it seemed an apt time to share it.

I didn’t expect to cry. In fact, I didn’t even entertain the thought. It just happened as I pulled away from the school and smiled back at the friendly teachers directing car pool. I rounded the corner and the tears just came, right there for all the oncoming carpool parents to see. I had no energy to care. I couldn’t find the off switch if I tried. Oh my, this was harder than I had imagined.

We had a playful drive to school, my son and I. He was anxious to arrive early and teased me about being the slowest driver on the road, when actually I was going five over the limit. A few morning commuters passing us on the country highway only served to prove his point. His eagerness encouraged me. He seemed more excited than anxious for his first day of school. I gave him my last bits of wisdom on how to organize his books, to work hard, to take good notes, and for goodness sakes, to please check his spelling. Mostly, I assured him he would do great, how he’s a strong thinker and engages well in groups through discussion and asking questions. Such a desire to instill some final words of wisdom and guidance before setting him loose to the structured walls of academia.

My son is no baby. He’s the stereotypical image of a football player, and has been since birth. He’s a strapping 14 year-old hulk of a man-child who is regularly mistaken for several years his senior. Recently, he was asked what his major is! Nooooo! He’s my baby boy, the youngest of four, and this growing up thing is happening faster than my mind and heart can handle. And this very morning proves my angst in letting go and watching my now 9^th grader step out and spread his wings into new winds, without me. Not a bad thing. It actually feels right. Just, oh so different.

I suppose this change is harder for me than for him, which is good! I want it to be filled with smooth transitions and empowerment for him. But, for me? Well, these tears and emotions reveal some bearing of inner fragility and loss. I have home schooled my children for two full decades! And I’ve loved it! I wouldn’t trade those moments and years for anything! But, today marks a change, an end to a twenty-year saga of educating my own. I have no new agenda or plan, no vision of what to do next. Today it’s canning salsa and beginning to post online all those twenty years of schoolbooks in an effort to sell some off. For the rest, I know nothing but to wait on God.

This past Sunday, a guest pastor broke open the Word in our old, historic church. He spoke of the script we write for our lives, one of personal identity, purpose, and satisfaction. He affirmed that when we recognize the beauty of knowing Christ, we see everything of earthly importance as useless and rubbish (Philippians 3: 7-8). When we die to self and are found in Him (:9), He writes a new and improved script for our lives, one where we rise with Him to resurrection life. We no longer live our own lives, but His life is lived in us. His script shapes our faith and directs us to love the things He loves. By refraining from personal script-writing, we can function within Jesus’s script for us, to embrace His love and life, and desire to truly know and the power of His resurrection life within us. (:10-11)

I challenged my son to recognize the new script God has written for him, a script to be the light of Jesus as he seeks excellence in His academics, character, and friendships. That’s not difficult to visualize in his new chapter of life. Yet, I must believe the same for me, even when that means sitting in a quiet house, tending to book selling and salsa making, for now. Here too, in the silence, it is Jesus’s life being lived in me. This is His script for me. And He will continue to write it as I wait on Him and trust His play-writing perfection.

After leaving the school, I head to the grocery store. (Who knew you could grocery shop at 7:30 am)? I wipe my tears in mock composure as I enter the store and search for peppers and tomato paste. With my errand complete, the tears return, a confused mix of feeling loss and lost. I cry to God on my drive home. I rejoice in the script change He has written for my son. And I also rejoice in the script change He is writing for me, even though I do not understand what it is. But He knows. I remind myself that He is sovereign and holds all things in His hands; that He is fully trustworthy. Our lives are not really ours.

This is what it means to know Christ. Our true value is not about what we are doing, but about what He has done for us and is doing in us. His plans are for our good, and He will not disappoint. We can trust the ‘author and perfecter of our faith’ (Hebrews 12:2) to write the script of our lives for us….even in making necessary edits and revisions.

Our true identity is in Christ. He has divine purpose in His plans for our lives, that they may be lived for His glory and for our good. We can know and trust this is in the script.