Sometimes I like to exercise my use of the Spanish language...ill-equiped as I am...
Anyway, I've been thinking about friendships lately...there is no bragging associated with the next statement, but I have a lot of friends...I have been to a lot of places, made lasting connections with people...and yet, the sustainability of friendship is difficult with miles between people, life changes, etc. I still know that those people have impacted me and will forever be a part of me, but their presence in my life is not as powerful as it once was. And that is okay. It has to be okay...because I am here, now. In the present, I have relationships, connections, and people with whom I interact that impact my life and I impact theirs. Is this the "love others" portion of God's greatest command to us, his followers? Even in the Bible, we see that the disciples wrote churches and people in far away distances with love and encouragement without being present...but they moved and lived where they felt they needed to be. I used to feel guilty for not calling, writing, and keeping in touch with every person I ever had a meaningful interaction with...and sometimes I still do, but I have come to the realization that some relationships have times, moments...and they will not be the same as they once were...
More thoughts on friendship...I have some great ones in my life right now...that I see on a regular basis...that I share life with each day. I read a chapter on relationship this morning and the author said something like "if the people in your life aren't helping you build, they don't need to be there." Most of us have an idea of who we want to be...who we are at the moment and who we strive to be...and if we examine our lives, we can see relationships that either help or hinder that process. We are building...we are a part of building ourselves up in the way we know we need to be...and we are building the Kingdom in our actions, attitudes, and yes, relationships.
I am thankful for those people in my life who build alongside me...who make me want to be better...who challenge my house to be stronger...who sometimes question the walls I've put up...who reinforce who I am at times...and who care enough about me to challenge me to focus on those around me...as we build together.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Still, Yet Moving?
Take a minute and think about how many times people around you--at work, school, church, etc.--bring up news stories as topics of conversation. For a while, I had no input because I had no television and didn't tune into what was happening. Now, I listen to the news every morning...possibly to be able to converse with others about "hot topics." Random side note...I also listen to sports radio...I know weird facts about sports now.
Anyway, yesterday afternoon I was headed out of school with a fellow teacher. He brought up the recent capsizing of the Italian cruise ship and was talking about the audacity of the actions of the captain. I agreed with him that I couldn't believe that he would just leave the ship, his passengers, and his crew. I would like to think that I would stay--that I would have enough gumption of character to do what I could to save people or go down trying. But, as I thought about it, I realized that none of truly knows how we will react in times of crisis. Yes, I have had times of great triumph over hardships, but I have also fallen flat on my face when faced with difficulty. Peter told Jesus, "Never! I could not deny you, Lord!" And yet, we read that he denied knowing Jesus not once, but three times. Thinking about it makes me abundantly thankful for grace....and it also challenges me to develop character that counts...that stands for what is right, that stands alongside the hurting, that feeds the hungry, that hugs the dirty...becoming more like Jesus in word and deed...that will make the difference.
The formerly mentioned teacher also started talking about cruises....and how much he LOVES cruises. I've been on one...and refuse to go on another one. He couldn't believe I didn't enjoy cruising...ha. So, he tried to figure out why...asked me questions like "didn't you see any shows?" "how about the food?" OR "didn't you just look at the ocean for hours?"
My answers...."we saw a few shows...they were alright." "the food was ok." "I looked at the ocean for about an hour, it was amazing, and then I was ready to get off the boat and see something." I don't like sitting on a boat and looking at the same people for days...I like to go, to do, to see and experience new things. He huffed a little and said something like, "See, that's probably why you're not married...you go all the time! No man can keep up with that!" My jaw flew open...he laughed a little, but he was serious. And I know he wasn't being mean...he really meant it. I said, "Well, maybe I just need a man who will let me go." He said, "There you go! There is hope!" Hahahahaha...we've figured it out! :)
Until next time....
Anyway, yesterday afternoon I was headed out of school with a fellow teacher. He brought up the recent capsizing of the Italian cruise ship and was talking about the audacity of the actions of the captain. I agreed with him that I couldn't believe that he would just leave the ship, his passengers, and his crew. I would like to think that I would stay--that I would have enough gumption of character to do what I could to save people or go down trying. But, as I thought about it, I realized that none of truly knows how we will react in times of crisis. Yes, I have had times of great triumph over hardships, but I have also fallen flat on my face when faced with difficulty. Peter told Jesus, "Never! I could not deny you, Lord!" And yet, we read that he denied knowing Jesus not once, but three times. Thinking about it makes me abundantly thankful for grace....and it also challenges me to develop character that counts...that stands for what is right, that stands alongside the hurting, that feeds the hungry, that hugs the dirty...becoming more like Jesus in word and deed...that will make the difference.
The formerly mentioned teacher also started talking about cruises....and how much he LOVES cruises. I've been on one...and refuse to go on another one. He couldn't believe I didn't enjoy cruising...ha. So, he tried to figure out why...asked me questions like "didn't you see any shows?" "how about the food?" OR "didn't you just look at the ocean for hours?"
My answers...."we saw a few shows...they were alright." "the food was ok." "I looked at the ocean for about an hour, it was amazing, and then I was ready to get off the boat and see something." I don't like sitting on a boat and looking at the same people for days...I like to go, to do, to see and experience new things. He huffed a little and said something like, "See, that's probably why you're not married...you go all the time! No man can keep up with that!" My jaw flew open...he laughed a little, but he was serious. And I know he wasn't being mean...he really meant it. I said, "Well, maybe I just need a man who will let me go." He said, "There you go! There is hope!" Hahahahaha...we've figured it out! :)
Until next time....
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Vision
I still remember my first pair of glasses...pink, plastic frames...in Kindergarten...Mrs. Bland had to keep them in her desk drawer until I needed them to look at the board...we lost those glasses in a move from one building to a new room. Alas, I think the second pair were the same as the first...everything had to be pink back then...and big. Eventually, I started wearing them all the time...the curse of two parents who are blind as bats.
Vision has always been one of those things that is a mystery to me. When I don't have any help in the vision department, ie glasses or contacts, everything is a blur, literally. It's as if the world is not as it should be...as I should be seeing it...colors merge and objects become blobs. This probably sounds crazy to some of you, but I'm sure that some of you "get it." Needless to say, I am extremely thankful for the advances in technology that allow me to see clearly every day!
This morning, I was reading the hymn "Be Thou My Vision"....I've loved that hymn for a while now. Today, the words
"Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light"
made me stop and think...at 6:15 in the morning...yay brain!
I thought about how hard it is for me to see things clearly without my glasses or contacts...how blurry things get, even if there is enough light to see. Then I thought about darkness and how it is next to impossible to see your own hand in complete darkness. That line says that God's presence is our light. If we aren't seeking God's presence in our every day, ordinary lives, we can't see well...the way is not lit for us to know where we're going and we can't light the way for others to follow. So, this morning, I prayed for God's presence to go before me...so that the way would be illuminated....and the darkness would be penetrated...so that when I get there, I can see clearly who I need to see, what I need to do...
Yes, LORD, be our vision....be present...help us to know that you are present, whether we acknowledge you or not...and help us to call on your light when we feel as though we are wandering through dark places...in mind, spirit, or reality. Amen. So be it, Lord.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
At Long Last...
To All Who Are Still Awaiting My Final Posts:
My apologies...I had no internet connection when I was in Florida so...the posts didn't make it on time. So, to save myself and you a little, I am combining thoughts into one final reflection of this advent season.
The theme of the last week or so has been drive, travel, drive some more, eat a whole lot, and then drive again. In between all of that, there were wonderful moments with family and time to be thankful.
My family traveled to Florida last Thursday to be with my grandma, my mom's mom. Entering her house always brings back memories...she has lived in the same house for 45 years or so...and nothing has changed...blue carpet, blue drapes that we were never allowed to touch, tiny trinkets, the smallest porcelain cats you will ever see in your life (that you must dust), blue kitchen cabinets...do you get the point? Nothing has changed...and it's kind of nice that way. We were looking for a hair dryer Friday morning...don't know why we always forget to bring one...and Jamie found the first hair dryer ever made by man...I promise you it weighed 8 pounds...and still worked. It would have taken an hour to dry, but anyway...tangent.
We celebrated Christmas together on Christmas Eve because my brother and sister in law had to go back to Georgia on Sunday morning. We had a lovely day...ate a nice meal, opened gifts, watched a cheesy Disney Christmas movie that was on tv...sad thing was that every one of us was sucked into it and couldn't stop watching. We laughed together...we always do. Family is so special...we "get" each other. I don't have to explain my off hand comments or jokes to them, unless it's my dad and it's sarcastic...but we always find humor in something and it doesn't take much. I love being around my siblings and my "in law." We talk, we tell stories, we reminisce, we make new memories...and it's so simple, yet empowering and comforting...to know who you are and to know that others know you and love you just the same.
Christmas morning, we were lazy...got up and ate breakfast and sent off Jamie and Melonie. My mom and I watched a church service and I had one of those "moments" that we've prayed for...of recognition of the importance of the celebration of Jesus' birth. I teared up a little, gave thanks, and hugged my mom. We ordered Chinese food for lunch...I had a nice conversation with the owners of the restaurant and wished them a twinkle eyed "Merry Christmas!" And after lunch, my sister and I headed to the beach...it was 85 degrees...I was wearing gym shorts, an angry birds t-shirt, and flip flops...what more could a girl ask for on her birthday?! We walked the beach, were amazed at how many people were there, felt the sand between our toes, the cold water at our ankles, and stared out into the vast expanse of ocean meeting the sky in silence and wonder. My spirit breathed...I relaxed...and was thankful yet again for small moments of joy.
That night, we had birthday dinner, cake, and presents again. And it was just nice.
And then Monday came...my mom and dad left for Georgia and my sister and I were left to eat lunch with my grandma (her back had been bothering her the whole time we were there...she just was trying to cover it). She ate, went down for a nap, and got up asking us to call an ambulance. If you don't know this already, my grandmother is pretty stubborn and when her mind is set, it is hard to change it...hmmm...help me Lord. So, after deliberation and talking, we did as she asked and ended up in the ER with her that afternoon and part of the night. She didn't have to stay in the hospital, but it put us in charge of taking care of her, filling prescriptions, getting her food, etc. I have immense respect for care-givers...
It was a privilege to stay...to care of my grandma...I'm not going to lie and say it was easy, but she took care of us so much when we were young...and it felt good to be able to do that for her. I saw her in a fragile state...she is shrinking, getting weaker, and losing some of her independence...I slept in the same bed as her for two nights and woke up next to a grandma I didn't recognize...she is wrinkled and small. And growing up, her attitude itself was big enough to make her look like a giant.
Things change...every year I am taken aback by the changes in myself and in others...we don't know what next Christmas will look like or what will happen in the next year...but are we doing the best we can now? Do I love people enough to see them at their weakest and to stay? To comfort those in need and to be comforted when I am in need? One of the themes I've seen throughout my writings for this advent season is that life happens. Most of the time, we don't know what will come, but we do have a choice in how we respond. We can cry, and we will...we can laugh...and we will...and in all of it, we must choose to reflect, to carry on, to make others' lives better because we have chosen to give of ourselves and the gift of life we have so graciously been given.
Merry Christmas! Happy Advent! Merry, Happy, Joyous, Insane Life! :)
My apologies...I had no internet connection when I was in Florida so...the posts didn't make it on time. So, to save myself and you a little, I am combining thoughts into one final reflection of this advent season.
The theme of the last week or so has been drive, travel, drive some more, eat a whole lot, and then drive again. In between all of that, there were wonderful moments with family and time to be thankful.
My family traveled to Florida last Thursday to be with my grandma, my mom's mom. Entering her house always brings back memories...she has lived in the same house for 45 years or so...and nothing has changed...blue carpet, blue drapes that we were never allowed to touch, tiny trinkets, the smallest porcelain cats you will ever see in your life (that you must dust), blue kitchen cabinets...do you get the point? Nothing has changed...and it's kind of nice that way. We were looking for a hair dryer Friday morning...don't know why we always forget to bring one...and Jamie found the first hair dryer ever made by man...I promise you it weighed 8 pounds...and still worked. It would have taken an hour to dry, but anyway...tangent.
We celebrated Christmas together on Christmas Eve because my brother and sister in law had to go back to Georgia on Sunday morning. We had a lovely day...ate a nice meal, opened gifts, watched a cheesy Disney Christmas movie that was on tv...sad thing was that every one of us was sucked into it and couldn't stop watching. We laughed together...we always do. Family is so special...we "get" each other. I don't have to explain my off hand comments or jokes to them, unless it's my dad and it's sarcastic...but we always find humor in something and it doesn't take much. I love being around my siblings and my "in law." We talk, we tell stories, we reminisce, we make new memories...and it's so simple, yet empowering and comforting...to know who you are and to know that others know you and love you just the same.
Christmas morning, we were lazy...got up and ate breakfast and sent off Jamie and Melonie. My mom and I watched a church service and I had one of those "moments" that we've prayed for...of recognition of the importance of the celebration of Jesus' birth. I teared up a little, gave thanks, and hugged my mom. We ordered Chinese food for lunch...I had a nice conversation with the owners of the restaurant and wished them a twinkle eyed "Merry Christmas!" And after lunch, my sister and I headed to the beach...it was 85 degrees...I was wearing gym shorts, an angry birds t-shirt, and flip flops...what more could a girl ask for on her birthday?! We walked the beach, were amazed at how many people were there, felt the sand between our toes, the cold water at our ankles, and stared out into the vast expanse of ocean meeting the sky in silence and wonder. My spirit breathed...I relaxed...and was thankful yet again for small moments of joy.
That night, we had birthday dinner, cake, and presents again. And it was just nice.
And then Monday came...my mom and dad left for Georgia and my sister and I were left to eat lunch with my grandma (her back had been bothering her the whole time we were there...she just was trying to cover it). She ate, went down for a nap, and got up asking us to call an ambulance. If you don't know this already, my grandmother is pretty stubborn and when her mind is set, it is hard to change it...hmmm...help me Lord. So, after deliberation and talking, we did as she asked and ended up in the ER with her that afternoon and part of the night. She didn't have to stay in the hospital, but it put us in charge of taking care of her, filling prescriptions, getting her food, etc. I have immense respect for care-givers...
It was a privilege to stay...to care of my grandma...I'm not going to lie and say it was easy, but she took care of us so much when we were young...and it felt good to be able to do that for her. I saw her in a fragile state...she is shrinking, getting weaker, and losing some of her independence...I slept in the same bed as her for two nights and woke up next to a grandma I didn't recognize...she is wrinkled and small. And growing up, her attitude itself was big enough to make her look like a giant.
Things change...every year I am taken aback by the changes in myself and in others...we don't know what next Christmas will look like or what will happen in the next year...but are we doing the best we can now? Do I love people enough to see them at their weakest and to stay? To comfort those in need and to be comforted when I am in need? One of the themes I've seen throughout my writings for this advent season is that life happens. Most of the time, we don't know what will come, but we do have a choice in how we respond. We can cry, and we will...we can laugh...and we will...and in all of it, we must choose to reflect, to carry on, to make others' lives better because we have chosen to give of ourselves and the gift of life we have so graciously been given.
Merry Christmas! Happy Advent! Merry, Happy, Joyous, Insane Life! :)
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Day 21...
A few reflections from The Message, verses from Luke 2
"I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide:"
--Not just for some...not for those who understood beforehand or who could build the temples...but for everyone...and not just for Jews or certain people groups...everybody, covering the earth.
"Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!"
--In this moment, Mary is truly a mother...I think of how mother's must ponder and treasure those first moments with their new baby...and those feelings cannot be shared with anyone else, not even the father. She planted those thoughts and feelings deep within her, perhaps because she knew how special they were...and how she would need them later.
"In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God:
God, you can now release your servant;
release me in peace as you promised.
With my own eyes I've seen your salvation;
it's now out in the open for everyone to see:
A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations,
and of glory for your people Israel.
Jesus' father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words. Simeon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother,
This child marks both the failure and
the recovery of many in Israel,
A figure misunderstood and contradicted—
the pain of a sword-thrust through you—
But the rejection will force honesty,
as God reveals who they really are."
--Mary and Joseph were simply carrying out tradition as they took Jesus to the Temple and they came across Simeon...imagine holding the knowledge of a Savior and believing it with all of your being...and no one else truly understanding it. It was if everything had come to pass for Simeon and he had seen what he had been waiting for his entire life. I sense relief in his words, "it's now out in the open for everyone to see." We know that Joseph and Mary were told by the angel that Jesus was indeed the Savior they had been waiting for...and they were still speechless and surprised at Simeon's words. I'm the same way...I "know" things, but when God does things, sometimes I am surprised and speechless.
"Rejection will force honesty." When we are stripped of comfort, of self, of all we "know," we are forced into an honest place that we couldn't have imagined. And the refining begins...apparently it started a long time ago.
"I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide:"
--Not just for some...not for those who understood beforehand or who could build the temples...but for everyone...and not just for Jews or certain people groups...everybody, covering the earth.
"Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!"
--In this moment, Mary is truly a mother...I think of how mother's must ponder and treasure those first moments with their new baby...and those feelings cannot be shared with anyone else, not even the father. She planted those thoughts and feelings deep within her, perhaps because she knew how special they were...and how she would need them later.
"In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God:
God, you can now release your servant;
release me in peace as you promised.
With my own eyes I've seen your salvation;
it's now out in the open for everyone to see:
A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations,
and of glory for your people Israel.
Jesus' father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words. Simeon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother,
This child marks both the failure and
the recovery of many in Israel,
A figure misunderstood and contradicted—
the pain of a sword-thrust through you—
But the rejection will force honesty,
as God reveals who they really are."
--Mary and Joseph were simply carrying out tradition as they took Jesus to the Temple and they came across Simeon...imagine holding the knowledge of a Savior and believing it with all of your being...and no one else truly understanding it. It was if everything had come to pass for Simeon and he had seen what he had been waiting for his entire life. I sense relief in his words, "it's now out in the open for everyone to see." We know that Joseph and Mary were told by the angel that Jesus was indeed the Savior they had been waiting for...and they were still speechless and surprised at Simeon's words. I'm the same way...I "know" things, but when God does things, sometimes I am surprised and speechless.
"Rejection will force honesty." When we are stripped of comfort, of self, of all we "know," we are forced into an honest place that we couldn't have imagined. And the refining begins...apparently it started a long time ago.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
5 Days To Go...
Well, I got quite the surprise last night...what I thought would be a nice quiet dinner among friends turned into a huge party. Laura picked me up for dinner and when we walked into the restaurant, I looked around, still not suspecting a thing...and then heard "Surprise!" I almost looked behind me to see who was the recipient...and then realized it was me! I have some sneaky friends...but wonderful ones.
This is no pity party by any means...I haven't had a "friend" birthday party since middle school...I don't really think about it because I'm always with my family for Christmas. This was a complete surprise and delight. As I made my way through the restaurant to greet people and thank them, I was blown away that they all came. It was as if many of my worlds came together...to celebrate life as we live it together. I had just written about "home" and community and how blessed I feel by it all...and they did all of that for me.
Sometimes it's hard for me to grasp the scope of God's love. When people do things for me, I feel at a loss...accepting gifts and help is hard sometimes. We want to be self-sufficient, independent, and in control. When others give...when they give of themselves, their time, and their love for us, it can be uncomfortable. But, if we neglect to accept these gifts of the people around us, we impoverish ourselves...and we don't learn how to give graciously ourselves. And many times we don't accept that God loves us unconditionally...enough to take our brokenness, our guilt, our messy selves and make them something good. God surprises us...we know about God's love...but do we accept it, embrace it, and recycle it? Be surprised today...and soak it all in...then wring it out on someone else. I know I'm glad others have done that for me.
This is no pity party by any means...I haven't had a "friend" birthday party since middle school...I don't really think about it because I'm always with my family for Christmas. This was a complete surprise and delight. As I made my way through the restaurant to greet people and thank them, I was blown away that they all came. It was as if many of my worlds came together...to celebrate life as we live it together. I had just written about "home" and community and how blessed I feel by it all...and they did all of that for me.
Sometimes it's hard for me to grasp the scope of God's love. When people do things for me, I feel at a loss...accepting gifts and help is hard sometimes. We want to be self-sufficient, independent, and in control. When others give...when they give of themselves, their time, and their love for us, it can be uncomfortable. But, if we neglect to accept these gifts of the people around us, we impoverish ourselves...and we don't learn how to give graciously ourselves. And many times we don't accept that God loves us unconditionally...enough to take our brokenness, our guilt, our messy selves and make them something good. God surprises us...we know about God's love...but do we accept it, embrace it, and recycle it? Be surprised today...and soak it all in...then wring it out on someone else. I know I'm glad others have done that for me.
Monday, December 19, 2011
December 19th...
"Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus."
Luke 1:11-12, 29-31
"Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:19-21
Last night, a group of women went to a nursing home to sing Christmas music to the residents. During the "service," someone read the Christmas story, the Scripture from Luke. I've heard that passage many times, but this time, the part about the angel appearing to Mary and her reaction stuck out to me. She was troubled...Zechariah was gripped with fear...Joesph was told not to be afraid...
Fear, trembling, startled...all of these were emotions felt by people that God used...to save the world. They weren't superheroes...they didn't fly; they didn't preach eloquent sermons; they didn't ask for prosperity in politics or leadership...they were ordinary people who got scared when angels talked to them. Honestly, I don't know what I would do if an angel spoke to me...I know I would be scared though. But, their response is what matters...they accepted...Zechariah was silent for a while to soak it all in...Mary accepted and rejoiced with a song...Joseph married a woman pregnant in a way he couldn't fathom.
Angels may not appear to us...but God speaks. The Holy Spirit asks us to do things all the time that stretch us, that seem awkward, that sometimes seem ordinary to us, but could be extraordinary to someone else. Someone's gold is someone else's bread. The good news of the Gospel is just that...it is bread for one person...it is an angel speaking to another...it is clean water...it is a Savior...it is a good night's sleep....but it is good. And it is news, so it is worthy of telling, of sharing...and some people might be scared or even tremble when they hear it...God speaks...are you listening...and are you being spoken through?
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus."
Luke 1:11-12, 29-31
"Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:19-21
Last night, a group of women went to a nursing home to sing Christmas music to the residents. During the "service," someone read the Christmas story, the Scripture from Luke. I've heard that passage many times, but this time, the part about the angel appearing to Mary and her reaction stuck out to me. She was troubled...Zechariah was gripped with fear...Joesph was told not to be afraid...
Fear, trembling, startled...all of these were emotions felt by people that God used...to save the world. They weren't superheroes...they didn't fly; they didn't preach eloquent sermons; they didn't ask for prosperity in politics or leadership...they were ordinary people who got scared when angels talked to them. Honestly, I don't know what I would do if an angel spoke to me...I know I would be scared though. But, their response is what matters...they accepted...Zechariah was silent for a while to soak it all in...Mary accepted and rejoiced with a song...Joseph married a woman pregnant in a way he couldn't fathom.
Angels may not appear to us...but God speaks. The Holy Spirit asks us to do things all the time that stretch us, that seem awkward, that sometimes seem ordinary to us, but could be extraordinary to someone else. Someone's gold is someone else's bread. The good news of the Gospel is just that...it is bread for one person...it is an angel speaking to another...it is clean water...it is a Savior...it is a good night's sleep....but it is good. And it is news, so it is worthy of telling, of sharing...and some people might be scared or even tremble when they hear it...God speaks...are you listening...and are you being spoken through?
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