Thursday, December 23, 2010

Mary, Did You Know?

After an interesting character analysis in church on Sunday by my friend Lawrita, and then further thoughts from my friend Kristen's blog, I have found myself pondering the life of Mary, mother of Jesus, this week.

When she said, "Be it to me as you have said" to the angel, did she have the slightest clue what she was really signing up for?
I mean, really, how many times has God asked something of us and, in the beginning, we are so moved by the exhilaration of doing something great for God that we don't so much think about the reality of walking it out in the day-to-day?

I keep focusing on this one thought: Mary, did you know that in essence God was asking you to be misunderstood for His glory? 

I agree with Lawrita!  One of my biggest struggles as a woman has been being misunderstood.  Whether it actually happens or I just fear it happening, it hangs me up!

I really think if I had been in Mary's little ole shoes, I would have been overcome with the glory of the angel.  I think I would  have been in La-La Land, thinking, "Wow...I must be so special!  God picked me!  I get to be the mother to the Savior of the whole world!"

Then, when, in my excitement, I started running my mouth to tell everybody and their brother and the persecution started hitting me, I finally would have clued into how heavy the responsibility really was! 

Seriously, what all did this girl go through?  The things that must have been said about her!  And all she was trying to do was obey God and birth the greatest gift the world would ever know!

Talk about being misunderstood and having to stand strong in the face of adversity! 

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Tis' the Season to Love

I like this season...this time of year.  

I like the lights, the smells, the decorations, the get-togethers.  

I like most that people are in the mindset of giving...of putting others first...the mindset of love.

I was thinking about how many people probably say, "I love you" to others on a daily basis in the U.S.A.  


But to me, love is an action, not a sweet 3-word phrase.

Oh how many of us throw these words around or just act pleasant toward one another superficially, while secretly loathing inside or thinking nasty or negative thoughts?

How many walk away or silently cut people out of their lives?

I know I have been guilty of it!  In my immaturity or fear or intimidation, I have taken the easy way out at times.

What about those times when we get up the nerve to reach out and try to talk about our feelings and the other person is too busy or will not meet with us?

What about those people who have hurt us by walking away or shutting us out but wanna come back into our circle?  

True love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.

Always???  Really...ALWAYS?

Yuck!  Don't you hate when it's in the Word so clearly like that?

Love is hard because it lays us vulnerable before another sinner.

In this season of hustle and bustle, shopping and wrapping, take some time to examine your heart and see if there is a gift you can give that cannot be bought.


Is there anyone who needs your forgiveness? 


Is there someone who needs to hear from  you?


Is there someone who has hurt you whom you need to lay at the feet of Jesus and move on?


Do you need to love yourself and set some healthy boundaries for your life?


Love comes in so many forms...and it always costs us something.  


Does God want you to give dollars and cents this year, or is He calling you to comfort another with words or meaningful time?  


Just some thoughts going through my mind in these wee hours!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Are You Starving Yourself?

2010 is coming to a close and as we look to begin 2011, our family is gearing up for our annual fast.

This will be our third year participating in the Daniel Fast with our church family.

If you are not familiar with fasting, or have only heard of it, it can sound super weird or super spiritual.  The truth is, fasting has been going on for decades by various people groups and it's really very simple, though hard on the flesh.

The point of fasting or giving up food (though it has come to encompass giving up many things) is to take one's focus off self and put it on God and others.

We personally take part in this each year to refocus ourselves, show God HE alone is our priority, that we want to know HIS will for our lives.  We pray in unity about issues that affect all of us.

In our home, we use this time to fast a lot of media, stick close together as a family unit, and share our hopes and dreams for the year.  We don't allow sleepovers or excessive running around at this time.  We slow life waaayyy down so that we can regroup as one, especially after the busy holiday season.

If you have never done this with your family, please consider it.  Make it personal and don't get caught up in legalism about it.  Remember, you are not the Holy Spirit for someone else!  Let God deal with your heart and lovingly guide your family through this process in humility.

I believe God's promise:  if we seek, we will find.  Ask Him to show you anything you need to lay down in order to grow...to grow closer to Him, to your family, even to understand who you are more!

Fasting is an amazing gift.  It's sad how we rarely forget to feed ourselves physically, but we often starve ourselves spiritually.

No matter where you are in life or how bad things seem, God has your answers.  He IS your answer.  The Bible says the Holy Spirit will lead you into ALL truth...not partial...complete!  Rejoice in that and give your full attention to it.  

Our holiday season in America can get absolutely crazy!  But, right now is when so many start to focus on other people and giving.  It's a great time to begin asking God how you can give the beginning of the new year to Him and what your family's fast should look like.  


Every year we reap tremendous reward for our time and discipline in fasting.  I pray that each family would come back to this practice and reap as well.

Blessings to you and yours~