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I have been quite slack in keeping up with my blog this year! Woops! I wanted to post something for Christmas and hope that it encourages you. These thoughts are from a devotional I am sharing with our Woman's ministry at church.
What comes to mind when you think of Christmas? First thoughts... what comes to mind? Gifts, lights, music, family gatherings, yummy food? We have this quaint idea of what Christmas looks like. It is all "holly and mistletoe". But the reality can be quite different. If we give ourselves time to think about what Christmas "is" rather than what it is "supposed to be" we might think of words more like debt, stress, loneliness, loss, regret, fights, complicated families, etc. Let's be honest, sometimes Christmas is a messy affair!
When you think of the very first Christmas what words come to mind? Angels, wise men, shepherds, baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph? We automatically think of a sweet little manger scene.
Recently I had the chance to take my girls on a field trip to an Abby that had 73 different Creche displays from all over the world. Each manger scene was beautifully crafted and pictured relatively the same thing. A quiet little scene where everyone was adoring baby Jesus. But when we take the time to dig a little deeper into the story of Jesus' birth we will find that the first Christmas was a messy affair as well.
Think of these things as they relate to the birth of Jesus. A scandalous pregnant teen mother. A long, painful journey at nine months of pregnancy. A difficult, first time birth on a filthy cave floor surrounded by the stench of dung and sweaty animals. Imagine using bug infested straw as the only ground cover for your birth. Think of placing your newborn baby in a rickety old feeding trough because there was nowhere else to lay him where he wouldn't get trampled underfoot by the animals. And the first visitors to see this newborn king? The very dregs of society. Men who slept with sheep and seldom bathed, were the first to hold this precious child. Then a crazed king plots to hunt down and kill Jesus causing the slaughter of hundreds of innocent baby boys who were ripped right out of their mother's arms. A whole city grieved and weept for the loss. Truly the first Christmas was a messy affair.
But here is my point. We think that everyone has it together. We go to church and only see those around us when they are at their best. Best dressed, best smiles, best worship... We think we should have our act together like "so and so" who sits up front with her flawless makeup and heart of praise. But the reality , if we look deeper, is we have our messes!
Psalm 40:2 says "He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of a miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings"
We were all rescued from a pit. A pit of sin, pain, brokenness, heartache or loss. Every single one of us. That is the whole point! Jesus left the glory of heaven to rescue us from our horrible pit, and miry clay that was sucking us down. Almighty God with all His glory and power, all His wisdom and strength, His peace and hope. In His righteousness and justice compelled by His love, looked down and saw us. He saw the loneliness, abuse, loss, divorce, heartbreak, fear, doubt, depression and grief... He saw it all and He came as a baby in a manger.
Philipians 2:7 says Jesus made himself of no reputation, and took on himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men
He came born of a virgin who's life was filled with scandal, in a stable filled with filth. He was greeted by the dregs of society and hunted by a crazed king. His birth was surrounded by death and loss. All so that he could pull us out of our messy pit and set our feet on a solid rock.
Isaiah 61:1-3 referring to Jesus says "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek, the poor and afflicted; he has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those that are bound;... to comfort all that mourn;... to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit..."
The reason I celebrate Christmas with such joy isn't because it comes neatly wrapped in perfect holiday cheer. But rather, because God in all His mercy and grace looked down on this mess I call life and, in His great love, sent His son as a baby in a manger to bring me everlasting hope. He took my broken heart and made it whole. He took a hurting, abused girl from a broken home and gave her peace and hope and a reason to rejoice.
Life is messy. If your life is a mess right now remember, that first Christmas was a messy affair as well. Jesus came to give you forgiveness, hope and peace. He came and reached down into your horrible pit so he could set your feet on a rock to stay.
So maybe this year we shouldn't wish each other a "merry" Christmas, but rather a "messy" Christmas as a reminder of the hope Jesus brings to our mess filled lives. Truly we have every reason to rejoice this Christmas. "For God so greatly loved the world that he gave up his only son that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life"
I wish you a Messy Christmas!
Sunday, December 5
Saturday, May 8
Happy Mother's Day
Tomorrow is mother's day. As a mom of three small girls, I wonder what word of wisdom, or encouragement I might have to offer other moms. So often I find myself struggling through my days. Frustrated with the daily things that frustrate moms. Messy rooms, meals to cook, muddy feet, running late, attitudes that need adjusting, whining voices... need I go on. So if I find myself struggling as a mother, how can I give any advice? What possible word of encouragement can I pass on to you? I suppose if I looked to myself I wouldn't find much to offer other moms. I think most days I am the one in need of a word of wisdom and encouragement. Thankfully I do know where I can find something to encourage all you moms out there.
I don't believe I have ever met a mom who was confident in her skills at parenting. Most moms I talk to feel inadequate. I think it is safe to say most moms feel like they fail in some way nearly every day. We all want to be that soft spoken women with unending patience. We wish we were a cross between Mary Poppins and June Cleaver. But we aren't. We are women who get frustrated, impatient, even angry. We are mothers who love our children with all our hearts, but sometimes don't quite know how to show that love. We get emotionally drained and fed up with laundry and dishes. We wonder when in the world the underwear will pick itself up, cause it sure seems like no one is going to get around to doing it. I doubt that I am the only mother at night who sighs a huge sigh of relief when we realize that the last glass of water has been given and the kids are finally asleep.
There is something about having children that shows us who we really are. They are like little mirrors that reflect our hearts. On a good day we see love shining on their faces and believe that we are raising incredible children. But what about those not so wonderful moments? You know the ones I am talking about. The ones where the reflection we see in our little mirrors shows that our heart is anything but perfect. You know, that moment when you can hear your bossy 6 year old telling her little brother exactly what he can do and how and she is using that "tone" that just makes you cringe. But as you get ready to put her in her place you realize that just yesterday you said those very words and used that very tone to speak to your kids. And you cringe. Or maybe the image in the mirror is an angry voice saying things you swore you would never say to your kids. Or perhaps you see your own selfishness when you realize that you really would rather meet your need before you meet the needs of your kids. After all reading that book is a lot more relaxing than helping your kids figure out how to play a new game. Sometimes it can be hard to look at the image in the mirror.
So where is my word of encouragement? It is this. None of us is perfect. We all fail. We all mess up as mom's and we all wish we could do better and be better. But there is someone who sees us in all our mess. He sees all our weaknesses and he loves us still. I am not talking about your husband! I am talking about Jesus.
As I was thinking about how unlovely I feel at times as a mom I remembered just how deep God's love is for me. Just how unfailing and unconditional it is. And I was reminded of the book of Song of Solomon. It is a book that describes a plain young woman who was forced to work in her families vineyard. She felt ugly and unworthy. And yet the King fell in love with her and pursued her. It is a beautiful picture of the power of unconditional love.
My favorite passage in the book is chapter 2:10-14
My Beloved spoke, and said to me, Rise up, My love, My beautiful one, and come away.
For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over; it goes to itself.
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land;
The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, My love, My beautiful one, and come away.
O My dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let Me see your face, let Me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is beautiful.
The King is calling her to a place of being close to him. He wants to spend time with her and drawn near to her. And I love the image that is painted in that last verse. A dove will find a crack in a rock to hide in. It will seek out protection and safety there. When a storm rages, or there is a threat, the dove will flee to the cleft and find refuge there.
What a beautiful image that paints in my mind. Sometimes I feel like that trembling little dove who needs a safe place to seek refuge. A place where I can draw near to God and find that he longs to fill me with his love.
The Song of Solomon continues as the journey of the couple develops. The young girl faces difficult circumstances, she is beaten for seeking the one she loves, she seeks through the night and can't find him. She feels lost and alone and yet doesn't give up. In the end she finds her love and she clings to him and doesn't let him go. She has come to depend on his love and rely on the truth of how he sees her. No longer is she unworthy or unlovely. She is a princess among queens. She has also come to value who the King is. She understands his strength and the depth of his love.
The final chapter of the Song of Solomon says "Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her Beloved?" What a beautiful picture that is. Of a woman so in love with the King, who has been so consumed with his love, that she can come out the other side of a "wilderness" leaning on him. Close to his side.
When I remember these verses and I think of this story I am so encouraged. I know that I have a long way to go as a mother. But I also know where I can go to find protection from the storm. I know where I can go when I need to be reminded of my value. I know that I have a King who is so consumed with love for me that He was willing to die for me. He died so that I don't have to remain the way I am. So that the image in the mirror can change day to day. So that I can become the mom I hope someday to be.
As a mother you may feel overwhelmed and frustrated. Remember there is a rock you can flee to. A King who wants you to draw near to him so he can lavish His love on you. You are not alone in your battles. There is one who will stand with you. Run to Him!
Happy Mother's Day!
I don't believe I have ever met a mom who was confident in her skills at parenting. Most moms I talk to feel inadequate. I think it is safe to say most moms feel like they fail in some way nearly every day. We all want to be that soft spoken women with unending patience. We wish we were a cross between Mary Poppins and June Cleaver. But we aren't. We are women who get frustrated, impatient, even angry. We are mothers who love our children with all our hearts, but sometimes don't quite know how to show that love. We get emotionally drained and fed up with laundry and dishes. We wonder when in the world the underwear will pick itself up, cause it sure seems like no one is going to get around to doing it. I doubt that I am the only mother at night who sighs a huge sigh of relief when we realize that the last glass of water has been given and the kids are finally asleep.
There is something about having children that shows us who we really are. They are like little mirrors that reflect our hearts. On a good day we see love shining on their faces and believe that we are raising incredible children. But what about those not so wonderful moments? You know the ones I am talking about. The ones where the reflection we see in our little mirrors shows that our heart is anything but perfect. You know, that moment when you can hear your bossy 6 year old telling her little brother exactly what he can do and how and she is using that "tone" that just makes you cringe. But as you get ready to put her in her place you realize that just yesterday you said those very words and used that very tone to speak to your kids. And you cringe. Or maybe the image in the mirror is an angry voice saying things you swore you would never say to your kids. Or perhaps you see your own selfishness when you realize that you really would rather meet your need before you meet the needs of your kids. After all reading that book is a lot more relaxing than helping your kids figure out how to play a new game. Sometimes it can be hard to look at the image in the mirror.
So where is my word of encouragement? It is this. None of us is perfect. We all fail. We all mess up as mom's and we all wish we could do better and be better. But there is someone who sees us in all our mess. He sees all our weaknesses and he loves us still. I am not talking about your husband! I am talking about Jesus.
As I was thinking about how unlovely I feel at times as a mom I remembered just how deep God's love is for me. Just how unfailing and unconditional it is. And I was reminded of the book of Song of Solomon. It is a book that describes a plain young woman who was forced to work in her families vineyard. She felt ugly and unworthy. And yet the King fell in love with her and pursued her. It is a beautiful picture of the power of unconditional love.
My favorite passage in the book is chapter 2:10-14
My Beloved spoke, and said to me, Rise up, My love, My beautiful one, and come away.
For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over; it goes to itself.
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land;
The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, My love, My beautiful one, and come away.
O My dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let Me see your face, let Me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is beautiful.
The King is calling her to a place of being close to him. He wants to spend time with her and drawn near to her. And I love the image that is painted in that last verse. A dove will find a crack in a rock to hide in. It will seek out protection and safety there. When a storm rages, or there is a threat, the dove will flee to the cleft and find refuge there.
What a beautiful image that paints in my mind. Sometimes I feel like that trembling little dove who needs a safe place to seek refuge. A place where I can draw near to God and find that he longs to fill me with his love.
The Song of Solomon continues as the journey of the couple develops. The young girl faces difficult circumstances, she is beaten for seeking the one she loves, she seeks through the night and can't find him. She feels lost and alone and yet doesn't give up. In the end she finds her love and she clings to him and doesn't let him go. She has come to depend on his love and rely on the truth of how he sees her. No longer is she unworthy or unlovely. She is a princess among queens. She has also come to value who the King is. She understands his strength and the depth of his love.
The final chapter of the Song of Solomon says "Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her Beloved?" What a beautiful picture that is. Of a woman so in love with the King, who has been so consumed with his love, that she can come out the other side of a "wilderness" leaning on him. Close to his side.
When I remember these verses and I think of this story I am so encouraged. I know that I have a long way to go as a mother. But I also know where I can go to find protection from the storm. I know where I can go when I need to be reminded of my value. I know that I have a King who is so consumed with love for me that He was willing to die for me. He died so that I don't have to remain the way I am. So that the image in the mirror can change day to day. So that I can become the mom I hope someday to be.
As a mother you may feel overwhelmed and frustrated. Remember there is a rock you can flee to. A King who wants you to draw near to him so he can lavish His love on you. You are not alone in your battles. There is one who will stand with you. Run to Him!
Happy Mother's Day!
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