A Season of Joy

“Joy to the World, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and nature sing.”

--“Joy to the World,” Isaac Watts

I remember the year Santa brought me a Scottish Cabbage Patch Kid doll. And the year I got my very own roller skates. And the year Mom and Dad gave me a French racing bike they had spent months refurbishing. Of course, I no longer own any of those items, but I remember how happy I was the Christmas mornings I found them by the tree. But like all material possessions, even my favorite things could only bring me temporary contentment and pleasure. Mom taught me and my sister that lesson many years ago when she made the distinction between happiness and joy. She told us happiness is temporary and based on our feelings, but joy is eternal and springs from God’s spirit and His promises.

Every Christmas I feel that deep joy when I read Luke’s account of the angel messengers who jubilantly declared the news of Jesus’ birth 2,000 years ago.

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’ ” (Luke 2: 8-11, emphasis mine).

For thousands of years Israel had waited for God to send a deliverer to their nation. But instead, due to His expansive and inclusive vision, God sent a Savior for not only Israel, but the entire world. There can be no greater “good tidings” at Christmas  than the message that God loves each of us so much He became Emmanuel, “God with us,” and entered our world so that ultimately through His sacrifice, we can enter His.

A Season of Wonder

A year ago we had an unexpected snow shower. All day I had waited, watching the sky and the weather reports, hoping we’d get an early Christmas gift. And that night when the big fat flakes kept falling and falling, I ran around outside like a child. I grinned and giggled for hours. But my delight in nature doesn’t stop with remarkable winter weather events. In fact, sunsets and rainbows still captivate me. Butterflies, birds, and flowers all charm me. I’m also a real sucker for Christmas lights, and the more, the better. To a casual observer, it may seem as though I’ve never grown up. Maybe I haven’t. For to me, an integral part of faith is responding to God’s creation, His majesty, and ultimately His sacrificial love, with the awe and wonder of a child. 

The 18^th chapter of Matthew’s gospel records an incident that reveals how Jesus feels about adults having childlike qualities. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’” (verses 1-5) Jesus said those who wish to live with Him must retain the purity of heart, openness of mind, and simplicity of faith epitomized by children. Perhaps that’s why so many Christmas songs—“Away in a Manger,” “What Child Is This?”, “Silent Night”—all focus on the baby Jesus who, though in all ways God, chose to come to us and show us how to live and how to love. With childlike faith.

A Season of Light

“We are waiting on the promise

For the One who lights the darkness

Bending low to be among us

Bring Your glory in the highest, Jesus”

-“Hope for Everyone” Matt Maher

At the time, traveling over 1,100 feet straight down under a mountain seemed like a good idea. Then I realized the only way out was the one ancient elevator that had just deposited me into a dark maze. As I glanced around the dim, stifling cavern, I felt a little panic bubble up into my chest. Since I’d already paid for this torture, though, I continued to follow my friend, our tour group, and the guide who had the only flashlight among us. As we wound through the caverns, our end goal was Ruby Falls, a beautiful 145-foot underground waterfall. To heighten the drama though before we actually rounded a corner to view the magnificent falls, the guides turned out all the lights. I’m not sure I have ever felt such oppressive darkness. It seemed as if I could feel the weight of every ounce of the tons of earth above me pressing down on my body. And the few seconds before they turned on the multicolored spotlights felt like an eternity. I might have oohed and aahed at the big reveal. I can’t remember. What I can remember is wanting to kiss the ground when I finally made it to the surface and back out into the sunlight.

Scripture talks about people who walk in darkness that is far more oppressive than what you can find in an underground cavern. It is a spiritual darkness that separates people from God and one another. But the prophet Isaiah proclaimed there would be a cure, that “[t]he people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (9:2) This Light dawned 2,000 years ago when Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem, an event marked by angel choirs and a mysterious star. In his gospel Matthew tells us, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (2:1-2) Some scholars believe the star that led the magi to Jesus was actually the Shekinah Glory, a manifestation of God’s presence like the one He used to guide Israel in the wilderness. Regardless of the true nature of the Christmas star, God used the unique celestial sign to underscore the fact that Jesus is indeed the “Light of the world.”  (John 8:12)

A Season of Hope

“Israel’s strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth Thou art;” -- Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus

“O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! 

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!”

When life is darkest, when I am sick, lonely, afraid, sad, I still have hope. When my parents died, I had hope. When I hurt my neck, I had hope. When I’ve been out of work, I’ve had hope. When I pray for loved ones who are sick or hurting or grieving, I have hope. Christmas reveals the reason for my hope: Christmas celebrates the One who is not only my source of hope, but the One is the “hope of all the earth.”

For centuries, prophets foretold of this hope, the Messiah, the Chosen One who would one day deliver the nation of Israel that languished in exile, ruled by one oppressive kingdom after another, begging God for deliverance. The prophetic tone of the advent hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” recounts this truth and reveals the plan about which prophets told Israel through the ages: that God would one day send His Deliverer to them. For Christians, Jesus is this Deliverer; He is “Emmanuel,” God with Us, the Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. He came that He might offer hope to all who trust in Him. My prayer is that this Christmas those without hope will come to realize they can trust the One who gave His life for them and promises to love them now and for all eternity.

Hope, Healing, and Hurricanes

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  --Romans 15:13

As Hurricane Michael set its sights on the Florida panhandle this week, I held my breath. One of my dearest friends and her family lives just 30 miles north of Panama City. Another sister-friend lives near Destin. She and her husband evacuated, but my other friend and her family stayed. The barrage of tv news reports apprised me of the danger to a litany of towns along the coast that lay in the direct path of the storm.

Mexico Beach. Port St. Joe. Seaside. Miramar Beach. The forecast listed so many places I’ve visited with these two friends through the years. Places that hold lovely memories. Places where I went for healing and found it in God’s creation and my enduring friendships.

Now that the storm has passed, it’s heartbreaking to see the devastation the area has sustained. Thankfully, my friends are safe, but I continue to pray for those who were not so fortunate. People who lost loved ones or whose homes were destroyed. People whose lives will never be the same. I hope one day the lovely memories they too have of better times spent enjoying the beautiful Florida coast will bring them at least some measure of peace and joy.

Love Like a Hurricane

“He is jealous for me,
Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.”

--“How He Loves”  by David Crowder Band

“The Lord does whatever pleases him,

    in the heavens and on the earth,
    in the seas and all their depths.

He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth;

    he sends lightning with the rain
    and brings out the wind from his storehouses.” – Psalm 135:5-7

In the verses above, the psalmist affirms that God controls all of nature. When I read those words, I can clearly imagine God’s awesome power manifested as one of the thunderous storms with which I am all too familiar. But what about His love? Is it really, as the song says, like a hurricane? Last night I thought about all this as I watched towering trees behind my house bend while tropical storm Gordon’s winds whipped through their branches. In the blustery onslaught, the trees had two options: they could break or they could bend. Those are the same choices I have when confronted by God’s overwhelming power and love. I can stubbornly try to stand tall as life’s hurricane winds blow against me and wind up battered and bruised, spiritually if nothing else. Or I can bend beneath God’s will, knowing His love is the force that motivates all of His actions, even the creation of storms. Once I humbly surrender and focus on God’s unfailing love, my trials disappear, “eclipsed by glory” and the knowledge of “how great [His] affections are for me.”

Remedial Classes

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” -James 1:2-4

Growing up, I used to read the dictionary for fun. Besides that tome, I read stacks of books each week. I loved learning and I loved school and I excelled at it. But in my spiritual life, I sometimes feel I find myself in the remedial class going over lessons again and again. Even after I think I’ve mastered them, God reveals how much more I have to learn. One of those lessons is perseverance and at times this year, the challenges designed to produce it within me have stretched my faith muscles beyond what I would’ve said I could endure.

Still, I’ve been here many times before. As I run these spiritual marathons, the Enemy of my soul throws every obstacle at me he can. Fatigue. Depression. Worry. Discouragement. Conflict. His hurdles may cause me to stumble as I continue to run the course, and they may even cause me to fall. But they will not force me to quit. No matter how much instruction I continue to need in order to persevere, I will listen. I will learn. I will grow. And one day I will reach the finish line. My prayer is that I then hear the words every follower of Jesus longs for Him to speak to them: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matt. 25:23)

WWDS? (What Would Dad Say?)

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” -Ephesians 6:4

When I was growing up, Daddy had some interesting sayings. If one of us was a little too sassy or bull-headed, he responded, “If you’re feeling froggy, go ahead and jump.” When he approved of something we did, he’d say, “You done good, kid.”  His response to a pout was: “You can kiss that mad spot and get glad.” And when he had a handful of bad cards during a rummy game, he’d laugh and exclaim, “Trash! Trash, and more trash!” But there’s one expression from his repertoire I’ve discovered I unwittingly repeat often: “That is correct information.”

This revelation came when my seven-year-old niece said it to me one day. I asked her, “Where did you hear that?” She responded, “You. You say it all the time.” When I finished laughing at myself, I explained to her that my dad used to say it to us when we were kids and had asked for confirmation of something. But more significant than all of Dad’s humorous expressions are the words he said most often : “I love you.” 

He freely gave those words every time we talked and I knew he meant them. Often along with them he would offer a word of encouragement or affirmation and sometimes a Bible verse. But always, always, he told me he loved me and was proud of me. I am grateful to have had such a kind and generous and wise father whose unfailing love pointed me to my heavenly Father and established a firm foundation for my life.

A Promise is a Promise

“. . . I will never leave you nor forsake you” –Hebrews 13:5

Mom and Dad believed strongly in the importance of keeping your word, and the lessons they taught me and my sister started with deliberate decision-making. When one of us would ask them permission for something or ask them to do something for us, if they couldn’t 100% commit at the time we asked, they would tell us “maybe.” They never used the word as a cop-out, but as a placeholder to give them time to ponder and perhaps gather information about the people involved or the activity or the resources needed to make our wish come true. It was an important lesson for me about avoiding hasty decisions. 

Along with the “maybe,” my parents reinforced the idea that promises are sacred and should always be kept unless there is a legitimate reason to break them. The inspiration for this value came from God Himself who clearly takes our words seriously. In fact, early in my life they taught me the words of Ecclesiastes 5:4-5: “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.” Because of my parents’ solid instruction, I learned that God is a God of His word. It is a truth that sustains me even when my feelings or circumstances try to tell me something different. So, when life’s challenges overwhelm me, I turn to God’s word and find a promise to reassure me. This week, God reminded me that no matter what, He will never leave me nor forsake me. No matter how awful my attitude. No matter how weak my faith. No matter how many mistakes I make or sins I commit. He is still faithful because He honors His promises.

In the Midst

“You prepare a table for me in the midst of my enemies…” -Psalm 23:5

 Last week I was hounded by fear and anxiety, and at one point, I found myself absolutely crippled by them. I was battling yet another computer issue (do they ever end?) and fighting fear, because at this moment, I’m not quite sure what my future holds. And uncertainty brings all sorts of unwanted chaos into my orderly life. While God has promised to provide for me, and has been exceedingly faithful to His promises, I still sometimes find myself overwhelmed with worry.

So while I did deep breathing exercises in an effort to ward off a panic attack, I thought about Psalm 23. Specifically, I thought about verse five. Maybe it was because of a recent trip to the zoo, but I pictured David sitting there with a lion on one side and a bear on the other, and of course, crazed King Saul behind him, casting murderous looks his way. Then I pictured me sitting in David’s seat and I could feel the hot breath of the lion at my right hand. The bear left and was replaced by a lovely jaguar who eyed me like I was his midafternoon snack. The imaginary animals helped me give a body to the amorphous enemies plaguing me, and I focused on David’s words. While he was hunted by Saul and plenty of other powerful men, harassed by wild animals, and threatened by evil supernatural powers, he realized that even in the midst of this, God was present.

In meditating on David’s experience, I learned not only is God present, He is unperturbed by what my enemies are doing. So much so, that in the midst of  trials, challenges, and pain, He decides to set a banquet table of grace just for me (and you). Anxiety and fear? Trade those in for peace. Sadness? Exchange it for joy. Anger? Swap it for gentleness and patience. Frustration? Replace it with contentment. So today, while nothing has changed in my circumstances, my attitude is different. I am amazed anew that I can sit at God’s table and enjoy His gifts while my enemies hover just over my shoulder, licking their lips and wishing in vain that they could devour me.

Unwanted Anniversaries Still Bring Blessings

My mom’s dad passed away when I was only three. Each March Mom became very anxious and sad as the anniversary of his death approached. When I was a child, her response hurt my heart deeply, but as I grew older I became frustrated that she couldn’t “move on.” In my naiveté, I  imagined she had complete control over her emotions and could prevent herself from getting so upset as she honored Papa Jim’s memory. Time and life are good teachers, though, and I now understand Mom’s reaction much better. While I choose not to succumb to the grief hers and Daddy’s deaths have caused me, I now know how challenging it is to control your response to the unwanted anniversaries of life. Even if I actively try to focus on other things, each August 15 and each April 19 are etched into my heart and soul as the days my parents left this earth. But I try to approach the days with the grace and faith that are part of my parents’ legacy. I offer gratitude for their lives and recall the blessings they imparted into mine.

Two of those blessings are a poem and an allegorical essay Daddy wrote later in his life; the writings reflect his faith journey and his perspective. This year marks the fifth year of his homegoing, and I’d like to honor him and give you a glimpse of his heart by publishing his work “Today I Climbed a Mountain.” The notes in italics are his as well.

Today I climbed a mountain. A mountain all covered with the glory of Autumn, the vibrant reds, the sunshine yellows, the royal purples and even the common browns. The pines’ green mantle reminding me there is Life even among the dead and dying. My path started out well-defined through the trees. Here a proud old oak, its bark scarred with the initials of young lovers long ago, there a towering hickory split in two by a long-forgotten storm, half-dead, half-alive, hanging on to life for all it’s worth. I walked through the forest, my pathway becoming dimmer as the trees gave way to underbrush, little more than shrubs, then weeds. At last I came to my goal, a Rock Wall. I could see a pathway going left where others had chosen to go around it. Some had tried to dig under it. But I Had to climb it.

As I started my ascent, I searched for a handhold here, a foothold there, taking whatever I could find. Then I noticed a trail even here. A trail of sweat, of tears, and as I looked closer—blood. I saw a bush offering its support, but saw in time its shallow roots, which would not have stood the test. Ever onward I climbed, following the blood, using narrow ledges to rest. Upward slowly, a handhold, a foothold, a slip here and there, I dare not quit. I gained the top, surveyed the hills and valleys, covered in the majesty of Mother Earth and gave a sigh as I sat down to rest. I looked up and saw an eagle soaring on the winds. He called to me to join him, but I could not; for I am a mere mortal.

The original ends here, but I feel compelled to add this to it:

Whichever path you choose to conquer your Wall,

I will not criticize or chastise you. I will welcome you with open arms, offer you the strong right arm of friendship, and a shoulder to lean on. I will offer a cup of Water from the Everlasting Well, and have ready the Balm of Gilead to bind up your wounds and soothe your hurts. Then, we can watch the eagle together.

Selah

Green is the New Blue, Sort Of

“. . . a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” -Prov. 27:9 (The Message)

As long as I can remember blue has been my favorite color. There was once in my childhood when I had an internal philosophical debate as to the merits of red vs. blue but the former seemed to have too many negative associations. I still enjoy wearing red often, but for me, blue’s soothing qualities ultimately won out as the color to which I constantly gravitate. This spring, though, something has changed. And I have absolutely fallen in love with green. Kelly green, forest green, grass green. I should’ve seen it coming when a few years ago I painted my toenails the shade of a Granny Smith apple. Now, don’t mistake me. Blue and I will always be tight. We’ve been together far too long now to let green come between us. But green has carved out a little place in my heart and is now my second favorite color.

Maybe it’s in part because this spring, green seems an especially apt motif for me: the color and the season have long been symbolic of renewal and rebirth. New beginnings. And that’s the season I find myself in. Earlier this month I went to the mountains of Georgia on a girlfriend getaway with some cherished friends and was dazzled by the seeming rainbow of greens as we traveled. We took the trip right after Easter, the ultimate season of rebirth, and we spent quite a bit of time enjoying God’s creation. The time spent in nature was rejuvenating, and it helped me focus on God’s gifts, not the least of which are my precious friends who constantly encourage, support, and love me unconditionally. Pastor Charles “Chuck” Swindoll has been quoted as saying, “I cannot even imagine where I would be today if not for a handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.” I couldn’t agree more: I am truly blessed to have such friends who bring great joy to my life!

Sick Days

Jeremiah 17:14: “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed…”

Sick Days. I think they were more fun when I was a kid. Ok, there was still the sick part. But at least I got to miss school, stay home with Mom and watch tv all day. Except the year I first had pneumonia. That was a nightmare. That’s pretty much how I feel about sick days now. They’re a nightmare filled with wracking coughs and guilt that I’m missing work, even though I can’t even crawl out of bed and change clothes. Plus, it seems any illness I get lasts at least a week and then I’m discombobulated for days wondering how did it get to be the end of the month when the last time I checked the month had just started. I’m sure there are lots of lessons God wishes me to learn during those sick days. Patience probably tops the list. I’m guessing humility comes next, and with it, surrender. As in, surrendering to His will. There’s perseverance, of course, not to mention compassion. But surely there’s an easier way to learn all these things. Then again, maybe there’s not. Job was allowed to suffer considerably as was the woman with the issue of blood who endured her affliction for 12 years. Lazarus’s illness took him to the grave and back for him to fully experience God’s grace. So, besides taking meds and drinking lots of fluids, it seems the best thing I can do on sick days is to seek God and rest in Him.

Rx for Sick Days:

Seek God

Imitate Christ

Cease striving

Kneel humbly in prayer

Do You Have a Plan?

“We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer…Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” –Proverbs 16:1,3

January is the month for dreaming. For thinking about all the exciting possibilities of a bright new year. And so I started 2018 in my usual fashion, pondering what I would like to accomplish in the next 365 days. One thing that is really important to me is maintaining and improving communication with friends and family. I also want to visit loved ones I haven’t seen in a few years. Plus, I want to revamp my exercise program and devote more time to writing. But I know these are simply nebulous goals which I may or may not have some level of success achieving. Then last week a friend forwarded me a motivational email reminding readers that simply having a dream isn’t sufficient to make the dream come true; for that, one has to have a plan. So the email advice was timely and I’ve realized I need to come up with a concrete action plan if I want to celebrate my success next January. For now, the plan is still in the development stage, but I’ve already begun taking actions to make needed changes. Still, as in all things in my life, I am devoting the matter to prayer. After all, what better way to ensure success than to consult the One who already knows what the next year holds for me? So, I am taking all of my heart’s desires to Him, asking for wisdom, guidance, clarity, and a real, executable plan. Ultimately, if I seek Him with humility, forethought, and the right motivation, God will help me align my plan with His.