Last night, some friends of mine were kind enough to join me in caroling to some older folks from our church. We met and the caravan began around town. We started at a dear friend's from the choir...she is in her 80s and just lost her husband...and her husband was amazing...one of the funniest people I have ever met. So, we sang a little, she came out, gave the kiddos some candy (always a good move), and she surprised me when I looked and saw tears in her eyes. She said, "This is going to be a hard Christmas, but you made it better."
At other times, the older people sang along, kids ran up and down halls, the baby even danced a little and sang "da da das" with Away in a Manger. At one point, we were in this tiny apartment visiting a long time member of our church and she was so excited to see the children...she opened her arms to hug the two 5 year old...I looked at their faces and they registered panic! The boy stared wide-eyed at her and started to back away..I just watched and honestly, wanted to laugh a little. Eventually, he gave in and hugged her. These are the memories that make me realize that those moments made me who I am today...learning to hug an old person...life lessons. :)
We spent maybe an hour and a half making deliveries, singing, and running around...but I just had this moment of pure joy...sitting in my banged up car named Lashonda...I said to my friend Meg, "We really have good friends and good people." Yes, that may be oversimplifying it, but people showed up to do something as simple as walk around, share their kids, sing, and tell people that we love them. Small, but huge. This is what we are all about. This is the kingdom...this is Heaven on Earth. I hope that the people we visited were encouraged...but I can't help but think that we were changed because we were forced to look outside of ourselves and to be a little less selfish.
Have you seen beyond yourself today? All of us have different circumstances...but, in the end, we can all look and see past that in order to make the day better for someone else. Jesus made things better for us....he brought light into darkness...why shouldn't we do the same?
Monday, December 17, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
A Christmas/Birthday Memory...
Recently I asked someone, "Do you like Christmas?" to which he replied, "Of course I like Christmas." I mean, I try not to assume anything! But, Christmas is pretty awesome...good memories for most people. I am no different. Christmas was a big deal (and still is) in my family. Just about 30 years ago, I was born on Christmas morning. Ask my mom and she will tell you really quickly that it wasn't very joyous...ha! And since she will read this, sorry Mom for coming at a bad time! I didn't know it was such a big day. :)
We have some traditions in our family....we always eat crab stew on Christmas Eve with broccoli cornbread...we open gifts from siblings on Christmas Eve....we take turns opening presents on Christmas Day...and we have added a few over the fews...more sporadic traditions if you will...like eating Chinese food on the way to Florida because it's the only restaurant open...except for Waflle House, but that's not a good story. We also have started going to the beach when we're in Florida. Anyway, when I was younger, we usually went caroling as a family on Christmas Eve. We would usually go to people from church, widows, older people, and just whoever my parents had on their hearts I guess. I loved it and still do...
One Christmas Eve, when I was around 9 years old, we went out to a farm in the middle of nowhere Georgia. My parents told us that we were caroling...so we went up to the door without question, sang a few songs, and a woman came to the door. She talked for a while and then asked if we wanted to see the new kittens in the barn...of course we did...we went to the barn and they were so tiny! There were probably five or six and they were all wild! And all were grey or black except one...there was one orange, long-haired one. I picked him up and nuzzled him close to my face. I looked up at my mom and smiled. She said, "Happy Birthday Melodie." I couldn't believe it! I had wanted my own cat for a long time...since Bethany claimed Steppy as "her cat." So, in the car ride home, in the back of the station wagon, I named him Fluffy Basketball...yes, you read that correctly...and he was my cat for 13 years.
We have some traditions in our family....we always eat crab stew on Christmas Eve with broccoli cornbread...we open gifts from siblings on Christmas Eve....we take turns opening presents on Christmas Day...and we have added a few over the fews...more sporadic traditions if you will...like eating Chinese food on the way to Florida because it's the only restaurant open...except for Waflle House, but that's not a good story. We also have started going to the beach when we're in Florida. Anyway, when I was younger, we usually went caroling as a family on Christmas Eve. We would usually go to people from church, widows, older people, and just whoever my parents had on their hearts I guess. I loved it and still do...
One Christmas Eve, when I was around 9 years old, we went out to a farm in the middle of nowhere Georgia. My parents told us that we were caroling...so we went up to the door without question, sang a few songs, and a woman came to the door. She talked for a while and then asked if we wanted to see the new kittens in the barn...of course we did...we went to the barn and they were so tiny! There were probably five or six and they were all wild! And all were grey or black except one...there was one orange, long-haired one. I picked him up and nuzzled him close to my face. I looked up at my mom and smiled. She said, "Happy Birthday Melodie." I couldn't believe it! I had wanted my own cat for a long time...since Bethany claimed Steppy as "her cat." So, in the car ride home, in the back of the station wagon, I named him Fluffy Basketball...yes, you read that correctly...and he was my cat for 13 years.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
A Shepherd's Perspective
This is an excerpt from A Shepherd's Perspective, Written by: Rev. Bruce Goettsche
"When I say we are committed to our sheep you need to know what I mean. A good Shepherd would not only risk his life for his sheep, he would give his life for his sheep.
We take great pride in what we do. My friends and I have a very special job; we care for the sheep raised for temple sacrifices in Jerusalem. Every morning and evening a lamb without blemish is offered in sacrifice. Those lambs have to come from someplace. That someplace is my flock.
At Passover time we are as busy as Turkey farmers at Thanksgiving. It's important we not only protect the sheep but keep them in the best of shape. If we don't do our job, others will be unable to worship.
Most of the time we work alone. So, we talk to our sheep a great deal. We develop a relationship with the sheep. I know, it sounds like we're one bagel short of a basket, but, haven't you ever talked to a family pet when no one else was around???
We talk to our flock so much that it gets to the point that our sheep recognize our voice. All I have to do is call the name of one of my flock and he or she responds instantly. You mean you didn't know we had names for all our sheep? We do. You could call their name and you wouldn't get any response at all. They don't recognize your voice. They will respond instantly to my voice. That's why at night I can combine my flock with several other flocks and can take turns at watch. In the morning we simply call for our sheep and they follow their own shepherd. If you've never seen it before, it's really quite an impressive demonstration.
Well, anyhow, the night Messiah was born we had combined our flocks and were taking turns at the watch just outside of Bethlehem. A few of our group were already asleep. I and a couple of others were sitting by the fire enjoying a late night snack of cheese and lentils and swapping a few sheep stories. What happened next is something I will never ever forget."
I was reading this and thinking about how God prepared the way for the future even with the shepherds that the angels appeared to the night of Jesus' birth. God demonstrated his love for ALL people by appearing to the lowly, misunderstood of society. More than that, God showed us what Jesus would be like through the shepherds and what our own leaders SHOULD be like...Jesus was committed to his followers, he knew them by name, and he was willing to sacrifice for them, for US. jesus never stops watching over us, his flock, and wanting the best for us.
Think about it...really let it sink in...this small detail of the birth of Jesus has translated to all people, over all time, even to us...I am lowly, and I am strange a whole lot of the time...but Jesus chose to demonstrate his love for me, for all of us...and continues to shepherd us. We have seen a great light, will we follow it?
"When I say we are committed to our sheep you need to know what I mean. A good Shepherd would not only risk his life for his sheep, he would give his life for his sheep.
We take great pride in what we do. My friends and I have a very special job; we care for the sheep raised for temple sacrifices in Jerusalem. Every morning and evening a lamb without blemish is offered in sacrifice. Those lambs have to come from someplace. That someplace is my flock.
At Passover time we are as busy as Turkey farmers at Thanksgiving. It's important we not only protect the sheep but keep them in the best of shape. If we don't do our job, others will be unable to worship.
Most of the time we work alone. So, we talk to our sheep a great deal. We develop a relationship with the sheep. I know, it sounds like we're one bagel short of a basket, but, haven't you ever talked to a family pet when no one else was around???
We talk to our flock so much that it gets to the point that our sheep recognize our voice. All I have to do is call the name of one of my flock and he or she responds instantly. You mean you didn't know we had names for all our sheep? We do. You could call their name and you wouldn't get any response at all. They don't recognize your voice. They will respond instantly to my voice. That's why at night I can combine my flock with several other flocks and can take turns at watch. In the morning we simply call for our sheep and they follow their own shepherd. If you've never seen it before, it's really quite an impressive demonstration.
Well, anyhow, the night Messiah was born we had combined our flocks and were taking turns at the watch just outside of Bethlehem. A few of our group were already asleep. I and a couple of others were sitting by the fire enjoying a late night snack of cheese and lentils and swapping a few sheep stories. What happened next is something I will never ever forget."
I was reading this and thinking about how God prepared the way for the future even with the shepherds that the angels appeared to the night of Jesus' birth. God demonstrated his love for ALL people by appearing to the lowly, misunderstood of society. More than that, God showed us what Jesus would be like through the shepherds and what our own leaders SHOULD be like...Jesus was committed to his followers, he knew them by name, and he was willing to sacrifice for them, for US. jesus never stops watching over us, his flock, and wanting the best for us.
Think about it...really let it sink in...this small detail of the birth of Jesus has translated to all people, over all time, even to us...I am lowly, and I am strange a whole lot of the time...but Jesus chose to demonstrate his love for me, for all of us...and continues to shepherd us. We have seen a great light, will we follow it?
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
A Prayer for the Church...
Dear God,
We recognize you as the head of our body.
Forgive us when we attempt to control the body.
Forgive us when we think we are more important than the whole.
Help us to strive for your Kingdom,
Here on this earth
As you have it in Heaven.
In this season of Advent,
Help us to really expect you,
To anticipate the celebration of your birth,
And to anticipate your second arrival...
In our waiting,
Help us to reflect on who you are,
Who you have made us to be.
More than that,
Make us aware of the birth of your Son,
And who he came to be.
Help us to see with new eyes,
The hope that was born long ago,
And the hope that we have been given
In each new day
That same hope
That you call us to give to the world.
Forgive us for being hoarders
Of your story,
Of your grace,
Of your love.
Help us to share you,
To let others hold you,
As if beholding a new baby,
A new hope,
A new joy.
Help us to be your church, your body.
Amen. So be it, Lord.
We recognize you as the head of our body.
Forgive us when we attempt to control the body.
Forgive us when we think we are more important than the whole.
Help us to strive for your Kingdom,
Here on this earth
As you have it in Heaven.
In this season of Advent,
Help us to really expect you,
To anticipate the celebration of your birth,
And to anticipate your second arrival...
In our waiting,
Help us to reflect on who you are,
Who you have made us to be.
More than that,
Make us aware of the birth of your Son,
And who he came to be.
Help us to see with new eyes,
The hope that was born long ago,
And the hope that we have been given
In each new day
That same hope
That you call us to give to the world.
Forgive us for being hoarders
Of your story,
Of your grace,
Of your love.
Help us to share you,
To let others hold you,
As if beholding a new baby,
A new hope,
A new joy.
Help us to be your church, your body.
Amen. So be it, Lord.
The Unexpected...
"All this time we've waited for the promise. All this time, you've waited for my arms. Did you wrap yourself inside the unexpected so we might know that Love would go that far?"
Think about it....the Jewish people had passed down these stories of hope and promise of a King, of one to redeem them, to save them from oppression...and after all of this build up and hype, a baby comes from a virgin, born in Bethlehem, among dirt and animals, and without any hooplah...yep, that's a scholarly term. A baby Savior was completely unexpected....a King ruling among sheep, cows, and manure was unheard of...and yet, the angels cried, "Holy, Holy Holy." That's all they could say...is that all we can say in the presence of this baby?
So much in this life is unexpected...and when we experience true acts of love, or just love itself, we are caught off guard...love always surprises me...at the lengths it will go, at the sheer joy of it.
The circumstances of life are not always pleasant...life is difficult to navigate sometimes...sometimes life isn't "fair." My sister-in-law lost her mom two weeks after she and my brother got married. They miscarried their first child....these are circumstances that change us, test us, and that we can't explain away...
And yet, a child was born last Thursday....hope was born. Love wrapped itself in the unexpected...this little baby has changed us all....this new life has spurred within each of us pure joy. Love goes that far. God redeems....God reminds us that circumstances are a part of life....but that God is joy. God is hope. God is new life. And God is at the core of who we are...God is love. Take time today to experience the unexpected...a baby King born long ago...new life in your family...the joy of a child's laughter...and so much more. Circumstances are real, but God is greater than it all. God is a baby wrapped in hope, joy, and love.
Think about it....the Jewish people had passed down these stories of hope and promise of a King, of one to redeem them, to save them from oppression...and after all of this build up and hype, a baby comes from a virgin, born in Bethlehem, among dirt and animals, and without any hooplah...yep, that's a scholarly term. A baby Savior was completely unexpected....a King ruling among sheep, cows, and manure was unheard of...and yet, the angels cried, "Holy, Holy Holy." That's all they could say...is that all we can say in the presence of this baby?
So much in this life is unexpected...and when we experience true acts of love, or just love itself, we are caught off guard...love always surprises me...at the lengths it will go, at the sheer joy of it.
The circumstances of life are not always pleasant...life is difficult to navigate sometimes...sometimes life isn't "fair." My sister-in-law lost her mom two weeks after she and my brother got married. They miscarried their first child....these are circumstances that change us, test us, and that we can't explain away...
And yet, a child was born last Thursday....hope was born. Love wrapped itself in the unexpected...this little baby has changed us all....this new life has spurred within each of us pure joy. Love goes that far. God redeems....God reminds us that circumstances are a part of life....but that God is joy. God is hope. God is new life. And God is at the core of who we are...God is love. Take time today to experience the unexpected...a baby King born long ago...new life in your family...the joy of a child's laughter...and so much more. Circumstances are real, but God is greater than it all. God is a baby wrapped in hope, joy, and love.
Friday, December 7, 2012
A Day Late for Good Reason...
Well, I missed a day...but, with good reason! I am officially an Aunt...for real this time...my brother, Jamie, and his wife, Melonie, gave birth to a healthy baby girl last night...Miley Mae...the most precious thing I've ever seen.
I overheard my dad this morning say, "We're not done with Christmas shopping, but it doesn't matter. Miley is our gift." New life...life that is connected to you in such a basic way...watching your sibling give life to another...what an amazing gift. I have had these moments all day...you know those Holy Spirit moments where your chest tightens and your heart feels so full that your eyes brim with tears? I hope you know those moments.
We are singing a song Sunday titled "Be Born in Me"....there are several lines that I will probably reference in the days to come...but one has stuck with me today..."Before my head agrees, my heart is on its knees. Holy is He. Blessed am I." Sometimes, if we stop and allow it, God will surprise us with the things of the heart...and move in us in ways that can only be Holy Spirit moments. And we will be better off for it...the gifts are all around us...in the embrace of a parent, in the laughter of a child, in the sarcasm of a fifth grader, in the songs of 4 and 5 year olds, in the beauty of a sunset over the mountains, in the birth of a child. Jesus is born every day....have you gone to see him? Is your heart on its knees? Holy is He. Blessed am I.
I overheard my dad this morning say, "We're not done with Christmas shopping, but it doesn't matter. Miley is our gift." New life...life that is connected to you in such a basic way...watching your sibling give life to another...what an amazing gift. I have had these moments all day...you know those Holy Spirit moments where your chest tightens and your heart feels so full that your eyes brim with tears? I hope you know those moments.
We are singing a song Sunday titled "Be Born in Me"....there are several lines that I will probably reference in the days to come...but one has stuck with me today..."Before my head agrees, my heart is on its knees. Holy is He. Blessed am I." Sometimes, if we stop and allow it, God will surprise us with the things of the heart...and move in us in ways that can only be Holy Spirit moments. And we will be better off for it...the gifts are all around us...in the embrace of a parent, in the laughter of a child, in the sarcasm of a fifth grader, in the songs of 4 and 5 year olds, in the beauty of a sunset over the mountains, in the birth of a child. Jesus is born every day....have you gone to see him? Is your heart on its knees? Holy is He. Blessed am I.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
More Like Mary
God,
Make me more like Mary.
Make me aware.
Wake me in the night
To hear an angel's dare.
Help my heart to be willing,
Emptied of self.
And help my soul to say yes,
Even in the midst of doubt.
Help me to walk through months of uncertainty,
Knowing that you see the end plan.
Close my eyes and ears to others
Who mock your plan.
Help me to believe
That what sounds crazy to others, and me,
Is just part of your divinity.
Teach me to step, to walk by faith,
And to look up
As well as within...
To marvel at your way of creating new life.
Lord, make me more like Mary.
Amen.
Make me more like Mary.
Make me aware.
Wake me in the night
To hear an angel's dare.
Help my heart to be willing,
Emptied of self.
And help my soul to say yes,
Even in the midst of doubt.
Help me to walk through months of uncertainty,
Knowing that you see the end plan.
Close my eyes and ears to others
Who mock your plan.
Help me to believe
That what sounds crazy to others, and me,
Is just part of your divinity.
Teach me to step, to walk by faith,
And to look up
As well as within...
To marvel at your way of creating new life.
Lord, make me more like Mary.
Amen.
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