Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, 

stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

~Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

 

"For my eyes have seen your salvation, 
which you have prepared in the sight of all people." 
~Luke 2:30-31

This Is The Way; Walk In It

"In every community, there is work to be done.  In every nation, there are wounds to heal.  In every heart, there is the power to do it.  
~ Marianne Williamson

Before moving back to my hometown, between here and there, I never really understood what people meant when they said they loved their community.  I knew what it was to feel the love of church family, to know some of my neighbors, to see the beauty of the nature that surrounded me; but when it came to hometown parades, and community events, not so much.  Things have changed.  I am thankful.

For part of my childhood, I was raised in the country, near a small town, which I felt didn't fit me.  I married the love of my life, drove off into the sunset, my wedding veil blowing in the breeze and whispered within my heart, "I'm never coming back!"  (insert laughter)  Does the Lord have a sense of humor or what?

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." 
 ~Psalm 32:8 (niv)

Since finding myself right back where I started, staring at the familiar landscape before me, I learned, be it ever so slowly, to stop giving God directions.  Its funny how God changes our hearts; draws us back, moves us forward, places us here, there and in between.  Yet, at times, we fail to see "here" is where He has planted us, right where we stand.  That was me three years ago.  That's not me today.

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." 
 ~Psalm 143:8 (niv)


The journey from resentment to acceptance isn't easy.  At times, it's difficult to see that we are not at the end of the road, but waiting upon the paving of another. However, there comes a moment when the "why" is easier to understand.  When joy comes down and rays of sunshine warm the weary traveler.  That's where I am.  Slowly, I've come to understand bits and pieces of "why" and as I walk down the streets of this tranquil small town, I no longer feel that it doesn't fit me.  For once, I almost feel I have a place in the community picture.  It's sweet.  God has a plan for me and mine here "in between".  To be a blessing, to be a joy-giver and a bright light in a sometimes dreary land.

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  
~Ephesians 2:10 (niv)

It's not the life I imagined, however, it is God's plan for my life.   This song speaks my heart.  Community.  May Jesus be the center of mine.

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." 
~Isaiah 30:21 (niv)

Food For Thought

 "Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light." ~Helen Keller

Its all about becoming a city on a hill.

Being salt.

Being real.

"You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by man. You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5: 13-16 (niv)

 

Who Am I?

On this Sunday evening, I am reminded of who I am, who I am not, and why I am; and its not to build a pretty castle, in between here and there, rather to build an eternal one.  I am not defined by whether I have a beautifully decorated home or five-course dinners upon the table each night.  Rather, I am destined to be remembered by whether this home sweet home was a holy and joyous one; and whether I reflected the love of Jesus to those He placed in my midst and under my care.

I think the quote below pretty much sums it all up.  God has placed me here, at this time in history for a reason.  I am safe in the shelter of His wings, and regardless of whether I shine well in every moment of the appointment, I am still loved and ever in His care. Though I don't have the details and often ponder the when, where, why, and how's of life, I am where I am at this time for a reason.  I don't have to understand why I am where I am.  I simply have to, by faith, keep on keeping on, believing that He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it.  

"Let me say I am here,

(1) By God's appointment,

(2) In His keeping,

(3) Under His training,

(4) For His time."

~Missionary to Africa, {Andrew Murray}

So.  Who are we?

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"  ~2 Corinthians 5:17 (niv)

Dear Lord, I pray that you will reveal your truth in our hearts today and always.  That we will live our lives authentically for you.  May those who call you Father, be reminded in this moment, that you are making everything new.  Glory be yours, glory be yours...

"He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"  Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."  ~Revelation 21:5 (niv)

In Between

"How wise should we be if, with joyful certainty, we accepted each unfolding of His will as a proof of His faithfulness and love!" ~Susannah Spurgeon

Just over three years ago, we packed the moving van with our belongings and drove out of Southern California.  Seen in the photo are, two, of our four, little superheroes. They still remember that giant, yellow moving van, still talk about it.  I remember that day vividly when Los Angeles became, at long-last, a smoggy blur in my rearview mirror.  I remember the incredible moment when I could see the bright blue sky that surrounded us and take in the scent of clean air.  It was amazing!  However, even in that moment, I knew there were challenges ahead of us and they're were.  Through each challenge, by the grace of God, 1,100 days later we're still standing.  Not only are we standing, we're growing, and that's a good place to be.

Just over three years ago, we thought we were headed for the South.  Yet, three years later, we're still in between here and there.  However, the longer we are "in between" the less I feel we are supposed to be "there".  It causes me to ponder, it brings me wonder, as where we are begins to feel more like home, if perhaps "in between" was where God desired us to be all along.

So sweet South, I am thankful to say your fireflies aren't as shiny in my memory as they once were, nor the thunderstorms as wondrous, nor the warm summer evenings as tranquil.  No, as the days go by, I have grown to love this community in which we now live.  The breeze is gentle and the rain a whisper that gracefully descends upon me.

Yes.  Its a beautiful thing to be "in between".   Grace, like rain, fall on me.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

~Jeremiah 29:11

Its a new day...

...and I decided, time for a new blog.  So welcome to this glimpse of my world.