End of the Year word of Encouragement

I was asked to give a devotion for the teachers.  Here is what I said:

As we near the end of the year, often we enter a time of reflection.  What was good about this year and what was bad.  We think about what we should of done or could have done.  We look to our graduating seniors and we want to send them off with hope for a bright future.  We want to encourage them to take on the world.   I don’t know about you but when I look in the mirror at this time of the year, I find I am without.  I am tired.  I am done.  I want school to be over soooooooo bad I can taste it.  I am not full of hope or encouragement, I am full of survival.  I am just surviving.

Then I came across these verses:

Deuteronomy 6:5-9

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.  6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.  7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead.  9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” 

You see so many times in life, I am unsure.  I make decision after decision for my home, for my family, for my job and most of the time it is an educated guess.  Earlier this year I was reveling in a mistake walking around telling myself how foolish I was and basically telling myself I was no good for making it.  Then I had an epiphany!  If I am truly living my calling, in this job, in my home, and as a parent; then I am exactly the one God has chosen.  You see, God knew before time.  He knew that I was going to be in this position; He knew that he was giving me a family and home to care for.  His knowing all of these things also means that He knew my flaws and picked me anyway.  I am hopelessly flawed.   He knew.  He knew that I would make mistakes, but He picked me anyway.

I am chosen and so are you,  and as a chosen followers of Christ, He asks  us to love my God with all my heart, all my soul, and all my strength.  He doesn’t ask for  perfection.   He doesn’t expect it.  He wants us to trust him, and love him.  He wants us to take His words and hide them in my heart,  for those times when we question what am I doing.  He wants us to use HIS words about us and His calling for on our lives, so that in Him we can be secure, not in ourselves.

Then as we settle into the security of knowing we are chosen, He says, “Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up .”   I love that!  As teachers you get to repeat this to His children everyday.  You get to share His truth, but today, you need to take His word, and believe it for yourself.

One thing I have learned over my Christian years is that the world will fill you up with everything that is wrong.  The world will tell you, you are failing.  It will say you are fat.  It will say you are not beautiful.  It will give you an excuse to not try.  It will celebrate your failure and reward your laziness.  BUT GOD has a very different view of His chosen ones.  God says all things are possible for those in Christ Jesus.  He will say that we are loved with an everlasting love.  Psalms 91:11 says “He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways.”  Did you hear that, the GOD of the UNIVERSE orders His Angels to protect YOU! The Lord says ask and you shall receive, knock and the door shall be opened.  He says that condemnation is not for those in Christ Jesus.  If you talk about God’s word all the time, then there is no room for the condemnation and negativity of the world.  “Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead.  9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”    In other words, live the words God gives you every day!  Do not conform to the patterns or words of the world, but be renewed by God's word as your guide and as your value.

As we close out this year, while we may be tired, and while we may feel defeated.  We may need school to be over soooooo bad we can taste it.  I say let’s finish strong and in truth.  Let’s show our students that even until the end we can be an example of God’s word.  Let’s show them that the future is bright and promising, and that even in our flaws, God has chosen us to love Him, to Love one another, and to Trust His plan for us. 

 

The mom my daughter sees

The holidays are a notorious time for me.  They often make me sad.  I long to feel them like a child, and not like a responsible adult. Today was one of those days.  I walked around my house thinking of all the things I am not.  I walked around wishing I had more self control, wishing I was better and I even thinking I am not good enough.

 

Then I had an epiphany.  I stopped and thought, oh my gosh I sound like my mother!   The thing about my mom is this, she is partly cloudy with a chance of  hurricane.  She can not see the good when it quite literally lands in her lap.  She has spent so long thinking of all that could go wrong, she has missed all the things that can go right.  You see a few years ago I read this blog that said something like, watch what you say in front of your daughters because your daughters want to be you when they grow up.  I never wanted to be like my mom. *** Disclaimer, my mom is a talented and very accomplished woman.  She has achieved many things almost completely by her own ambition.  However, she has never celebrated her accomplishments she has only focused on those things about herself she doesn't like. As a result, I never wanted to be like her. ( I just know she is going to read this and miss the bold and underlined section, and think I am condemning her, when I am not.)

 

As I walked through the house today finding fault in myself, criticizing and rethinking decisions I've made, having a mini melt down, Brent stood there trying to help.  He gave me words of encouragement, that were met with anger and a leave me alone attitude.  He looked at me and told me how much he loved me, and I stood there and thought how can you love a mess like this? I realized that I was repeating the celebration of condemnation.  I was laying a foundation for the things my daughter Mackenzi will hate about me or worse think she is, because she is mine.  She still looks at me and says things like you are the best mommy ever.  I love you and I want to be just like you when I grow up.  If all sher hears me say is that I am fat or not good at this or that, then what will she take in?

 

The Bible is clear on condemnation.  Romans 8:1 says: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" 

As a mom, I am constantly thinking what am I doing to her?  Or She is going to need therapy because I said or did this or that.  I've look at her and pray these desperate prayers, please Lord, don't let me ruin her.  Let me remember she is yours first, and that no matter what I do, you have control in her life.  Lord, let me not stand in the way when she has a lesson to learn.  Being mom is exhausting, on top of all the other things we have to keep track of.

It is so easy to get caught up in the desire of perfect living. I am not delusional enough to think that anything that I do could be perfect.  I would like to feel as though some things I do are great, instead of feeling like all the things I do are ok, just enough to pass.  I have said in my blogs before that I am atrociously flawed.  I am haunted by the Proverbs 31 way of life.  The model by which we church women aspire to be.  It is easy to read it and feel the weight of inadequacy, and think I am not accomplishing enough.  It is easy to get lost in the verses and pick apart all the things I am not,  and all the things I don't want to do. Someone once told me that Proverbs 31 represented seasons in a woman's life and it was not a directive for everyday.   I am not sure that theory is biblically accurate, but upon review I find that I am not failing completely and that I can claim a few verses. 

 

Proverbs 31:Mixed Verses

 

A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her    and lacks nothing of value.            
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.

 

Today, I witnessed my husbands confidence in me, and I did him no harm, regardless of how much I wanted to.

 

14She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.

 

Today, I went to HEB with the rest of the world, by the time I was done it felt like I had been afar on a ship of crazies.

 

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.

 

Today, I paid bills, and made sure there was money left over for groceries next week.  I stayed up late so I could write this blog in attempt to make me feel more productive.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

 

Today, I've been in the word, and application of the Bible helps me feel wise, secure, not alone in my journey, and encouraged.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

 

Today I have not watched tv.

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

 

I can honestly say, I believe beauty is fleeting and so is youth!  I do fear the Lord, and I honor Him, for giving me His word of encouragement to remind me I am not what I think I am sometimes.

 

The thing is that this life really is not about me, while sometimes in this mood, it feels like it is all about me and my failures and flaws.  The truth is this life is about God, and others.   The Bible is full of examples of the blessing found in serving and loving others in the midst of being a flawed and feeling insecure.  Often in the Bible when the main character of the story is most scared, lost or afraid, the biggest impact is made for God. 

With that in mind, I am the mom in my story who often feels lost, scared, and unsure of the way I am raising and the decisions I am making for my kid.  I am the character God is using to develop her story, I am the person who must show her that on the other side of the flaws, there is a blessing in obedience to God and His calling on my life.  His calling is for me to be the mother of Mackenzi, whom He gave to me.  He gave her to me knowing I am not perfect, but I am the one He has called, the one she needs, and she needs me just the way I am.  She needs me to not get worked up in all that I am not, but to show her all that Jesus is through me.  He designed me to show Mackenzi that my flaws are just stepping stones building a faith and a life dependent on Jesus for my true needs and for her true needs.

The world continues and the demands from the world continue, and I am going to continue and remember that condemnation is not of God.  That God loves me enough to leave me His words of love and encouragement for times when I feel like this.  He is constantly refining me, and  growing my walk, showing me ways to love more abundantly, honestly, and Godly.  That love not only applies to others, but I am reminded that I am loved that way by Him as well. He has called me just as I am.  Let that sink in, just as I am, not asking me to be anything more, but asking me to trust in Him for whatever more I need.

 

 

 As life continues, I want to encourage the other moms out there.  Don't get stuck being the flaws that scream at you in the mirror or in your head, but be encouraged, that God calls you to be mom, JUST AS YOU ARE.  Embrace it, have a bad day, but don't stay stuck there, be who you are and let Jesus do the rest.  If he can take a few fishes and loaves and feed thousands he can take you and give you what you need.  Ladies, today I ask you to be the mom that your daughter (son) sees.

This is my mindset, now let me  hear yours!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Prayers and Mama Ramblings

I find myself sitting here tonight on the heels of rushing through homework and dinner so my husband and daughter could make their first basketball practice.  I have been gifted with a rare night alone.  I have almost 2 whole hours.  While typically I would try and watch a TV show that is neither a cartoon or a kid friendly show, I find myself reflecting on all the goings-on in life.

Thanksgiving has just past and we are headed full steam into Christmas. Parties, concerts, gifts, and gatherings all pulling everyone in a mad frenzy to end the year well.  In my precious alone time I find myself lost in prayer asking the Lord for meaning.  As I write that, I want to clarify, I do not need definition.  I am defined by my Father in heaven who loves me and calls me to love.  This frenzy, this time, I need to remind myself of the meaning and purpose, because in the hustle and bustle it all seems to get jumbled.  I find myself praying that the things I do, still reflect Christ.  Lord, help me to glorify you in my actions and words.  Lord, help me to teach my daughter to know her worth in you.  This is a  desperate prayer bogged down by the sounds of a retail Christmas where, "Every Kiss Begins with Kay."  This is a cry out, how am I going to keep myself and family from being swept up in the intoxication of Amazon and it's impending 2 hour same day delivery?  I ask the Lord open my eyes to see the details you need me to see.

Then I see it.  Everyone knows the story of the manger, and the humble beginnings, of a baby King, celebrated by angels.

^{Luke 2:10-14
10} The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people. ¹¹ Today your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ, the Lord. ¹² This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box. ¹³ Then a very large group of angels from heaven joined the first angel, praising God and saying:  ¹⁴ “Give glory to God in heaven,  and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.” 


Jesus the baby came as a gift for all people, to forgive sins.  How am I celebrating Jesus?  Am I inviting those with no place to come in, even into a barn?  (Technically yes, because we actually do have an Uncle living in our barn.  This story is for another time.)  Am I greeting people with love?  Am I celebrating God's Glory and goodness?  Have I experienced God's peace?

What an interesting concept in these verses about the birth of Jesus, that the phrase, " let there be peace among the people who please God." A this time of year, there seems to be no peace for those who celebrate Christmas.  As I cry out Lord, don't let me be swallowed by the business of Christmas busyness.  

Tonight I stop, in my two hours of alone time and reflect on how I want to celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus.  Do I want to be seduced by the smell of cinnamon and the lure of a good sale, or do I want to be have the peace of God fill me to content?  My silly side says, I want both (add Maniacal Laugh Here).  In reality I want peace.  I want peace on Earth.  I want goodwill to all men.  I want the peace that passes all understanding.  I want the comfort of not owing more than I can afford after Christmas. I want to look at my child and know that she knows that Christmas is about Christ, and that true gifts are found in good character and service to others.  This is my prayer, not exactly my reality yet, but it is certainly my prayer.

In closing I pray that this Christmas there will be peace.  Peace among men.  Peace in the midst of the broken hearted.  Peace for the widows, orphaned, and alone.  I pray for the peace of God's sweet sovereignty to reign in our hearts and homes.

This is my mindset, now let me hear yours.


PS.  I know it has been quite sometime since I wrote anything, I hope that you enjoy my thoughts outloud!

By Request: An open letter about gossip and judgment.

 

 

A dear friend, asked me if I had ever written about dealing with gossip, or judging others.  I have never.  I have taken some time to think about what I might want to say on these subjects.  Here are a couple of points to remember:

• I never say something about someone that I can not say to their face.
• I heard it said one time, that if you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all.
• I've also heard that if you are struggling for the right words, you can never go wrong with God's word.

 

I think it is relevant to say that I am guilty of both gossip and judgment.  If you think that you have not done either of these things, than you are only lying to yourself.  Most people at some time or another have done both of these.  It is part of being a FLAWED human.  However, the Lord does have a few things to say about it.

 

First and foremost as a person of authority; for example, a teacher, pastor, or deacon, His word is clear on the character you should posses.  He spends a great deal of time talking about it in Titus. In the book of Titus, it describes an elder as being someone who is blameless-not overbearing, not quick tempered, and so-on-and-so-on.  Paul tells Titus rather the character of elder should be hospitable, someone who loves what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.   Pretty tall orders, but nonetheless, they are what God, characterizes for a good leader.  Dear friend you are the leader, they will take their direction from you and your actions.  Don't over-react or give value to something that is clearly a tool to destroy.  You can choose to follow God's instruction even when it seems to be fruitless, do not let gossip destroy the work of the Lord.  "The thief comes to kill and destroy, but I come to give you life to the full. John 10:10."

 

Secondly, words are hurtful.  The Bible says in James chapter 3, that not many can become teachers, and that teachers will be judged more strictly.  It also reminds us that no one is perfect, and that we all fall short.  However, it gives a warning that the "tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.  It corrupts the whole body sets the course for one's life on fire, and is it's self set on fire by hell.  All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but NO HUMAN BEING can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."  James 3:6-8  Personally, I find so much hope in these passages.  There are many days when my thoughts and mouth run away with me. I am comforted knowing that God knows I am not going to be right all the time. Having a big mouth is something so relevant that God had to specifically address it in the Bible several times.  Just go read the book of Proverbs.    In Proverbs there are several verses that imply if you talk to much you are a fool; and that the tongue has the power to give life or death.  Dear friend, remember that words hurt, words matter, and when we use them, we can apologize but that does not always remove the sting.  Remember that God is the great healer and He is the remedy for this situation, you are just a tool, not the problem solver.

 

Now to discuss judgment.  I really dislike this subject.  Overall, I do not consider myself to be a judgmental person.   Frankly, at this point, I am more concerned with what God is going to say about my sins, I have no responsibility in anyone else's, but I will be accountable for my own.   That is quite enough thank you very much!  I will start with the frequently quoted bible verse about judging: "Don't judge others, or you will be judged. You will be judged in the same way that you judge others, and the amount you give to others will be given to you.  Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the big piece of wood in your own eye." Mathew 7:1-3   This is a great example of what happens all the time.  We point out each others dust to avoid admitting we have wood in our own eye.  If someone else looks bad, than we can rest easier in our own sin, because we put it in a worldly economy of which sins are worse than another.  The truth is sin is sin and it does not matter what sin it is, it all separates us from God. I really do not like judgment, but I will say it is often confused with conviction.  It is a Biblical responsibility to share the truth of Jesus, and the truth is not at all popular in this world.  The choices that Jesus would have Christians make are unpopular with today's society, and making a stand for Jesus is often followed by accusations of being self-righteous or judgmental.  My dear friend, as you deal with these issues and you make those stands, I think the answer is clear, you must stand on the side of Jesus, and leave any and all opinions out.  Let God's word do the talking.

 

Now by definition the Bible says that Jesus is love.  It also says that love covers a multitude of sins, and perfect love drives out fear.  My friend, the only way to get past this struggle in your ministry is to love as Jesus has called you to love. You have to love the seemingly unlovable, because whether they are kind to you or down right mean to you, Jesus loves them and you are His hands and feet.  Now, how do you do that, when you don't want to?  You have to pray hard and pray big.  You have to set good boundaries so you are not a doormat for abuse, but a stepping stone to introduce the love of Jesus.  People don't believe they can be loved.  They don't believe they deserve love they have not "earned."  That is not what Jesus says.  Jesus loves and He came to give abundant life.  He chose you, and He has equipped you.  He has given you exactly what you need, and that is He who lives in you.  Lean on Him and He will direct your path.

 

Personally, you are a dear friend, that I have know many years.  You are loved, you are treasured by God, but also by me and many others.  You are not alone in this, it is just a diversion to stop the goods works you are accomplishing in His name.  The Lord blessed me with you, and you with me.  Now may you be blessed abundantly, and may the Lord strengthen your ministry and give you peace as you go forward.

 

At your request, this is my mindset, now let me hear yours!

The Danger Zone

This blog is dedicated to all the women who I know and love so dearly.  Those who are flawed, but find grace in Jesus.  The beautiful women who, "are worth far more than rubies." (Proverbs 31:10)

I have been watching you.  I have been watching how you look at yourself and talk about yourself.  I listen to the confidential words in our friendships and I ask, how did she become this way?   How did she get stuck in this trap?  How is it that she believes these lies she tells herself.  It is the small things, that are said, they seem like a joke.  Maybe it is I am fat.  Or the I can't do this or I can't do that.  I am not good enough.  These tiny conversations and revelations of insecurities start to take hold, and then you find yourself stereotyped as someone not worthy.  My only conclusion is, that after some time with these feelings you become them.

I am not sure where it starts and where it ends.  Feelings are meant to come and go.  A single feeling should not define an entire life.  However, in some circumstances we hang on to that feeling making us believe that is all we can be.  We become that lonely day.  We become that broken heart.  We become the bad girl.  We are that angry person.  We are meant to experience every feeling as real for a moment or a season, but we cannot let them define an entire lifetime.

I look at the women around me, and I wonder, feelings aside, do they believe they are more than those moments?  If you read my blog then you know I believe the Bible.   The Bible defines who we are.  Your first thought maybe, well, thank you, another disappointment, because I can never live up to that standard.  Jesus was the only perfect person and I just can't be that good.  Well, me too, that would have been my first thought.  However, as you walk further and closer to Jesus, there is something deeper that defines us.  We are defined by His love.  All the things Jesus did... teaching, serving, suffering, and dying on the cross were because HE LOVED us first.

Let's take a minute to look at ourselves the way God looks at us.  

• You are worth far more than rubies. -Proverbs 31:10
• You are fearfully and wonderfully made -Psalm 139:4
• You are chosen. Ephesians 1:4
• You are forgiven in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
• You are dearly loved -- Ephesians 5:1
• You are a work in progress. (Be confident that He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion.) Philippians 1:6
• You are loved with an everlasting love. - Jeremiah 31:3
• You are not alone. - Joshua 1:9
• You have been given a spirit of power, love, and self discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
• You are an overcomer. John 16:33

I leave you with this, how long will you stay in the danger zone?  How long will you let your feelings control you and define you?  Are you ready to look in the mirror and see hope?  Are you ready to let go forgive and be forgiven?  Are you ready to be free from fear and live secure?  I hope dear friends that you are.  I want less of am I good enough and more of I am overcoming everyday with hope. 

This is my mindset, now let me hear yours!

Where Faith Fails

Lately my life has been turned upside down.  The minute we put our house on the market, my nice left and my "tone" changed!  Enter the reaction of the stubborn, hard headed donkey, and not trust version of Miranda! Let me start with the back story.

In September, my sweet in-laws picked up and moved.  They lived across the street from us, and within three weeks, they had picked up and moved to the country.  They moved to a rural home on some acreage, and left us.  They abandoned us, or so we tease them  They are a huge part of our life.  We see them regularly, share meals, and often walked our daughter across the street just to hang out for a few minutes.   All of that has changed.

At the time I felt the Lord was saying just trust me.  Trust me, as our lives changed.   Trust me with the big things that are happening in your life.  Trust me and wait on my timing.   I even wrote a blog about it last June, where I confessed to having trust issues.  Here I am almost a year later and all that I felt is in fact true, but I am still in a season of trust, and working on those issues.  A trust season where God is in control and I am left with no choice but to trust Him.  What my trust looks like seems to changes every day.  I go from being firm in my faith, to being a real "donkey" in my reactions.

After my in-laws moved, it was a no brainer for us, we decided we would follow.  I continued to feel in my heart that God wanted us to wait and trust, as He worked out the details.  Then about two months ago, the owner of the neighboring property, called and said, "We would like to sell our property, do you know anyone who wants to buy it?"  As God would have it, it was exactly what we wanted, exactly what we prayed for.  It was the exact amount of acreage, it was the same floor plan we preferred.  Everything was perfect, and God was confirming his plans for us, and the result of waiting and trusting.

Now fast forward a couple of months.  Our house is on the market.  We have a contract on the new home, but have to sell our existing home.  God has revealed so much of HIS beautiful plans for us.  He has honored what I heard in my heart was His will.  Now I stand living out a real life Ephesians 3:20

"With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine. "

He has revealed much more than I could have asked or imagined.  I am standing at the point of great and good change. The question now is, how am I handling all of this?  I am a Christian, I read my bible and I can share many of God's promises.  I believe them, when they are for someone else.  If I am honest, I am a mess.  I am anxious and the house being on the market.  If it doesn't sell soon my hubby and I may need marriage counseling!  I am on edge.  I am reminding myself of the things I so easily share with everyone else, and am struggling to make them real for myself. 

I had a whole inner dialog about God giving seasons. I re-read the chapter on seasons.  In Ecclesiastes 3 it says," There is a time to cry, and a time to laugh.  There is a time to be sad, and a time to dance."  This is my season to laugh and dance, and what am I doing?  I am waiting for the metaphorical catch.  I am nervous and anxious about the time it is taking to sell my house.  I am looking at this season and asking am I good enough to deserve or have a season of joy and dancing?

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.  THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME.  The Lord makes promises for those He loves.  It is not really that I have a faith issue with him, it is that I have made the faith about me.  I believe that God is a big and powerful God, but I am still trying to earn His love and blessing, instead of just accepting it for what it is.  A free gift, and a grace that extends beyond what I can ask or imagine.  This is HIS grace, this is HIS house, this is HIS property and I am not going to change HIS TIMING, HIS PLANS, or HIS WILL.  No matter how much I think If I just.......

The Lord is asking me to believe in HIM, not in my own abilities.  He asking me to trust in His truths, not to try to earn or rationalize my own.  He is asking me to let go of insecurities and old sins, because they are forgiven in Christ Jesus.  He wants me to stand flawed and let HIM lead, because as my Pastor said today, "God will not command you to do what He has not orchestrated to succeed."  God wants me to trust HIM, and not overthink the details.

As I reflect on my faith and failures, I think it is a good time to remember where I should put my Faith.  My faith is not in man or in me, but in a God that is the creator of the universe.

Isaiah 40:

²⁵ God, the Holy One, says, “Can you compare me to anyone?
    Is anyone equal to me?”
²⁶ Look up to the skies.
    Who created all these stars?
He leads out the army of heaven one by one
    and calls all the stars by name.
Because he is strong and powerful,
    not one of them is missing.

²⁷ People of Jacob, why do you complain?
    People of Israel, why do you say,
“The Lord does not see what happens to me;
    he does not care if I am treated fairly”?
²⁸ Surely you know.
    Surely you have heard.
The Lord is the God who lives forever,
    who created all the world.
He does not become tired or need to rest.
    No one can understand how great his wisdom is.

I pray that God will take this reminder for me, to encourage you.  I pray you will be blessed to the FULLNESS of all God's will; not your own, or mine!  This is my mindset; now let me hear yours!

Captive to Christmas

The Holidays can be stressful.  It starts right before Thanksgiving.   There is an under toe of things to do.  The last few years I have struggled with the holidays.  It begins with gifts.  Did I get the right thing?  I don't know what to give so-and-so.  Oh NO!  I forgot about so-and-so.  Then it keeps going, work gets busy as we try to squeeze in all these things before Christmas.  Then there is baking and cooking and eating.  I look down at my waist line and shrug it off because I know there are more parties and food to come.  Then there is a little sadness.  I am sad because there are people I want to see but can't.   As I looked through my address book this year, I saw addresses for family members who have passed, and I miss the tradition of Christmas with them.  This time comes every year, but this year I was caught off guard.  As though I was just not paying attention to the time.

Some where in the middle of all this chaos, the Holy Spirit began to move.  My daughter won an award at school.  She was given the Fruit of the Spirit award for Peace.  I was so proud of her and her beautiful accomplishment.  However, I didn't really consider what God's PEACE really meant.  As I continued to stress over the Holidays and life's little struggles,  I felt like God was telling me, "I have come to set the captives free." 

“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
    I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
    to be a covenant for the people
    and a light for the Gentiles,
⁷ to open eyes that are blind,
    to free captives from prison
    and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

⁸ “I am the Lord; that is my name!
    I will not yield my glory to another
    or my praise to idols.

Isaiah 42:6-8

 

 

I was being held captive by all the Holidays of this world.  I am struggling with the things of the season that are not of God.  My internal debates about Santa, or my worries of the family get together, who will be there and who will not, are all consuming brain space, and worry.  None of those things are important, if you are focusing on what and who the celebration is really for.  Then the Holy Spirit brought back the subject of peace.

 

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

 

....Prince Of Peace, of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.  WOW!  No end to the peace found in Jesus.  What a story.  God sent His only son as a baby to free the captives, to give righteousness to a sin marred world, and give us PEACE. It started with a baby.  A baby that would grow into a man that would give us freedom from sin.  He would offer the Holy Spirit to each of us who just believed.

 

You may be thinking duh, I have heard the Christmas story a million times.  I find that as my belief and Faith in Jesus grows, the more distractions and distortions try to invade my life.  After this year, I am not sure I will ever feel the same, this year there is a new level of personal connection.  A new stronger belief that Peace is possible to an extent I never quite grasped before. The peace found in the gift of Jesus.  Going forward, I will remember that I am FREE.  I no longer need to feel like a captive to the stress of the season.  Jesus came to release me of my stress and worry.  He says in Matthew: "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"  My answer is NO.  I can say that by adding more Jesus to my Holidays I can add more PEACE.  Now for the hard part, let go of the control and hand it over to the Prince of Peace!

 

⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:9-14

 

This is my mindset, now let me hear yours!  Merry Christmas!