The Gift of Heaven

 Looking down, the view was heartbreaking. Sin was rampant in every corner of the world. Lust, hatred, violence, and deceit. Lying, betrayal, pride, and jealousy. Sinful behavior resulted in crime, broken families, broken marriages, and broken hearts. It would be tempting to look away, and never allow the planned rescue, but that was not a part of God's plan.

Can you imagine the anticipation of Heaven, all through the period of time before Christ came? They waited—longing for the day He would come in human form as the ransom needed to redeem our sin, setting us free. The thrill they must've felt as the angel appeared to Mary, knowing the time was drawing ever so close. The stories we love to read from Matthew and Luke's gospels were known to them long before it ever happened. The star? The shepherds? The wisemen? The angels? All of these were placed right where they were needed to usher in the best gift this world has ever been given—Emmanuel, God with us.

If you're anything like me, you're busy right now. You're baking, decorating, shopping and wrapping. The tree is up, and you're basking in the warm glow of lights and the wonderful scents of Christmas. Cinnamon, clove, pine, and orange scents, are some of my favorites of the season. Even with all the differences this season with Covid 19, there are still many of the traditions we are enjoying as we anticipate the big day. And yet our anticipation pales in comparison to that of Heaven, as the day of His birth finally came to pass. They were sending the best—God's own Son. And even though Heaven knew He was our Rescue, they also knew the rest of the story.

The truth is, we didn't deserve that Gift. We certainly didn't merit a rescue, yet Scripture tells us love was the reason for both the Gift, and the motivation for the rescue. As humans, we can't understand a love like this. Our love is always based on relationship, or mutuality. God's love is unlike any love—unconditional, and unprejudiced. We can't earn it, because our sin disqualifies us. So when you think of this Gift—Jesus, we can't help but feel unspeakable joy for the sacrifice God made to send His Son to be our Rescue. 

It's easy to get sucked into the traditions of the season, allowing them to get much of our attention. These traditions are not bad—but they aren't the reason for all we enjoy and anticipate at Christmastime. The reason is Christ, and the great sacrifice of Heaven as they sent Him not only to be born, but to die so that we might have hope! I love to give gifts, and I love to receive gifts. It's an exciting part of the season. But there is no gift like the One Heaven sent, when they sent the long-awaited Messiah. Receiving Christ was the best gift I have ever been given. It will not expire, or go out of style. It won't break or disappoint. It's eternally valuable, and indescribably wonderful. May each of us who have received Him, remember the price Heaven paid to send this Gift to us. As we do enjoy the season, and all it brings—may our primary focus be on the beautiful Gift of Heaven, and may we remember to be thankful for our Savior's willingness to come down for us. 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14, ESV).

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21, ESV)." 

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman (Galatians 4:4, ESV)...

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14, ESV).

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the incredible Gift of Jesus—sent to save us from our sins and provide the Rescue we desperately needed. You are so good to us, and we thank You for Your willingness to redeem us. In Your name we pray, Amen!

The Remember Stones

          As a little girl, my sister and I loved to collect pretty rocks. We had some shiny, smooth black rocks given to us by a sweet older gentleman. I don't have mine today, but I kept them for years. We had some crystalized purple and green rocks we bought from the gift shop of a mine. In all honesty, they were pretty, but apparently worthless, if they willingly sold them to little children for a couple bucks. And then we loved to find fool's gold. These rocks were plain, other than the dusting of gold that covered their outer layer. We always hoped that somehow, they weren't fool's gold, but rather authentic, and we would be rich from our fortunate find. Sadly, that was never the case for us. 
     These rocks were significant to the two of us, because they had sentimental meaning to them. There was no real value in them, other than our memories. I wonder if the children of Israel had those same sentimental thoughts, when they looked on the twelve stones retrieved from the bottom of the Jordan River. These stones had no value, other than they signified how God had opened the river to allow them to cross with the Ark of the Covenant. Joshua had one man from every tribe, carry a stone from the Jordan to where they lodged. While these rocks were likely plain to look upon, they told an amazing and miraculous story that pointed those who would look on them, to the redemptive and unmatchable power of God. 
     Wouldn't it be amazing if we had rock memorials from the many times God has touched us- rocks that signified His redemption and healing in our life events? If it were so, I would look behind me and be blown away by the sea of rocks telling stories of my own deliverance. I would see piles that showed how He saved me from being eternally lost, at the tender age of eleven. I'd see how He helped me through school, and provided opportunities for college and a degree. I would smile at the ones that reminded me of how He opened the door to being married to my best friend. I would be touched at the healing of multiple sicknesses, and heartaches. I would shed tears over His faithfulness in blessing me with a son and daughter, after years of infertility and pregnancy loss. And my heart would be undone each time I looked upon the rocks that reminded me of how He is restoring our hearts and our marriage, after being shattered by infidelity. 
     Yes, my past is littered with beautiful stories that point to a Savior- One who is intimately involved in my life. Answered prayers. Healed hearts. People who call me "mom". Each story is a testimony to who He is, and what He does. And should I have a rock in place to remember, it would cause me to overflow with gratitude each time my eyes fell upon them. While I may not have rocks to remind me of His goodness, I do have memories. How thankful I am for all He has done, and will do for me. I challenge you stop today, friend, and remember the times He has worked mightily in your own life. We serve a God who loves to save, deliver, restore, and work- His purpose for doing so isn't just to make us happy, but rather to point others to His Son. Celebrate with me, the goodness of our Father, and the wonderful works He does for His children.

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. Psalm 77:11 ESV
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the works of your hands. Psalm 143:5 ESV
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, Psalm 103:2 ESV
Then take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and out of the house of slavery. Deuteronomy 6:12 ESV

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the many times You've saved and delivered me from danger. I thank You for the countless blessings I've received from Your gracious hand. I praise You, Father, for Your gift of salvation. Help me to recall the many wonders You've done for me. In Your name I pray, Amen!

God's Purposes in Bad Life Events

     Why does God allow bad things to happen to us? There are so many painful situations we are called to experience in life, and we wonder sometimes- why me? None of us are untouchable, and we all have our painful seasons. I've seen so many that I know, lately, walk through an unexpected tragedy, and it hurts to know they are in their season of pain. But we all have those seasons, some a little more painful than others. 
     Where is God in all of it? Does He plan these things, or does He allow them? How can good come out of something so bad? We know God is good, and He isn't the Creator of evil. When He created the world, He said "and it was good." And it was good, until the fall of Adam and Eve to sin. In that moment, our world was broken, and will remain broken until Christ returns and makes all things new. Our painful seasons are a result of living in a broken world- a world broken by sin. 
     While God is good, and doesn't create the things that cause us to suffer, we do know He will use it for His ultimate good. We often don't see the good in it for quite some time, and sometimes, we won't see it on this side of glory. But scripture tells us that all things work together for good, for those that love the Lord (Romans 8:28). For each painful season I have been called to walk, I have seen good grow out of them. God is faithful to His Word and His promises to us, and while I hurt in those hard times, I can have faith that He will use them for His good purposes. 
     Are you walking through a hard season right now? You may be facing a marital crisis, an illness, an addiction, the death of a loved one- these are hard spots along the road we are traveling. When we are hurting and suffering, God hurts with us, but He also comforts us and offers us His faithful love and healing. If we are christians, our time of suffering is short in light of what awaits us in Heaven. We can take comfort in knowing that what lies ahead, is so much better than what we are living in this broken world. Our painful seasons are seasons- not meant to derail us for life. We can allow them to help us grow in our faith, or allow bitterness to take root. Just as God wants to turn them around and use them for good, we have to allow Him to do it for us. He will use them either way, but I want to come out of the season with a stronger heart for God, trusting Him to transform my pain into something amazing. I've witnessed it in my own life, and I can tell you He is able!

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4 ESV
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 ESV
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for redeeming our pain, and bringing good out of it. Some points along our journey would be almost unbearable without You, and how You will use them for good. Thank You for carrying me through my darkest times, and for preparing a home for me where suffering will no longer touch me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

Picking A Different Version

  When I was a little girl, I had some pretty big    pipe dreams about life. In my mind's eye, everything went great. There were no bumps in the road, and no seasons filled with pain or sorrow. I had fairy tale ideas of what marriage was like. And to be honest, most of my thoughts of marriage centered on the wedding. Most of us girls dream about being a bride, and wearing the fancy dress and planning a beautiful day. But marriage is about so much more than a wedding, and as Hollywood can attest, many fall apart afterwards because we believe the wedding day is our grand crescendo. 
     While a wedding is a special day, and one to celebrate, it's no finale- rather, it's the beginning of learning to serve. It's putting myself after the needs of my spouse, and learning selflessness over selfishness. We don't see these things when we are young and eager to be with our person 24/7; we see with rose-colored glasses. If we could see what would follow, would we pick a different version of our life, if it were possible?
     I've thought of this often, since my husband's affair. Would I wish for a different life story- one that is easier, and less painful? Would I choose a path that was absent of heartache and loss? Would I wish my husband out of my story? And even in the darkest days of my marriage, the answer is no. I wouldn't pick a different story or a different life. If you have lived a fairly easy life, you are missing out on knowing a lot about God. You won't know how He redeems our pain, and turns it into something beautiful. You won't know how closely He walks us through our darkest valleys. You won't feel the comfort of His whispers to your wounded spirit. And you won't know how good it feels to feel His blessings after pain. 
     If you have been betrayed in your marriage by an affair, I pray you'll use it to reach others that are hurting. I pray you'll be willing to share your story with someone who needs to hear the hope you have experienced. God doesn't orchestrate any form of sin or pain in our lives, but He does want to use it when we experience it. He wants us to use it to bring glory to Him. And the more that we allow that to happen, and use our story to help others, the more our own season of pain will heal. This is how He will take our most difficult seasons, and redeem them! So I'm thankful for my life story, and I pray that through it, I will have the opportunity to reach others for good, and His glory!

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 ESV
For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:3-4 ESV
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the version of my life that I'm living. It isn't the easiest, but through those hard times, I've witnessed You in ways I never would have without those trials. I thank You for redeeming pain, and for allowing situations that will bring help and hope to others who are suffering. Help me to have the courage to share my story, and not be ashamed. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!