Tomorrow is Christmas! Do you find it hard not to get caught up in the frenzy of what this holiday has become? Shopping, shopping, shopping! I too have felt the pressure to make this holiday what I know it is not. Today I paused and just sat and reflected. A passage from Luke guided my thoughts. Chapter 2 is the story of the birth of Jesus. Verses 16-20 say, "So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."
The shepherds left their flocks to go to Bethlehem to behold the baby Jesus. The sight of this baby compelled them to spread the word about his birth. They weren't rushing to the mall to buy gifts, they were rushing to tell others about the greatest gift that would ever be given.
Mary's response was to treasure up all these things and ponder them in her heart. This baby was a gift from heaven not only to Mary, but to the world. Her only response was to ponder upon the reality of what she had been given and then to treasure these thoughts in her heart.
As you reflect on this past year, what are you pondering on and treasuring in your heart? Many of you have suffered at the hands of the economy. Some of you have dealt with death and sickness! Others of you may have felt the pain of a broken heart or relationships that have been strained. Yet in all of this there is a gift. The gift of God's constant love and care for you. His presence is greater than any present you will unwrap this year.
I encourage you to give God the gift of your presence this season as you ponder the good He has done in your life this past year. Treasure them in your heart and then, like the shepherds, glorify and praise God for all these things! Never forget the gift you unwrap each and every day, which is the gift of His son so you can have life, and have it abundantly!
This is the true meaning of Christmas!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
In the midst of affliction
These are some excerpts from my devotions lately.
"Suffering is a wonderful fertilizer for the roots of character. The great objective of this life is character, for it is the only thing we can carry with us into eternity. And gaining as much of the highest character possible is the purpose of our trials."
"We often pray to be delivered from afflictions, and even trust God that we will be. But we do not pray for Him to make us what we should be while in the midst of the afflictions. Nor do we pray that we would be able to live within them, for however long they may last, in the complete awareness that we are held and sheltered by the Lord and can therefore continue within them without suffering any harm."
Suffering ourselves or watching others suffer can be at times unbearable. The weight of suffering can crush the soul. No man can bear up under suffering. Christ is the only one able to shoulder the intense pain of our suffering. Casting our cares upon him is crucial if we are to stand under the weight of our sorrow.
Saturday will be the memorial service for Danica, a friend who died at the young age of 31, leaving behind a sweet husband and 2 darling children, ages 3 and 9. God has led our family to bear the burden of grief with this family. Deep sorrow has washed over my heart time and time again as I have reflected on what a life without mom and wife will mean in the days and years to come for this family.
Last week a dear friend and fellow colleague of mine had to undergo surgery to remove part of her colon and some tumors that were found. Terri has battled cancer for these past 7 years. I have prayed with her, walked alongside her the entire journey and asked God to heal her. She is Taryn's senior English teacher and one of the most loved teachers on campus.
Beth is our librarian and another good friend of mine for these past 8 years. She was diagnosed with colon cancer a few years ago and was in remission. She is now battling cancer again. Beth is one of the sweetest people I know. She is suffering intensely and yet every time I speak with her she is concerned about my health!
And then there is Brittany, a former student of mine who just turned 14. She has had several surgeries to remove a brain tumor and is in and out of the hospital now as the doctors are trying different treatments. The suffering this young girl has endured is more than most adults could bear.
I sit here writing in wonderful health with my cancer in full remission, wondering, "Why not me?' How have I managed to free myself from the clutches of this insidious disease while others have not? My gratefulness to my Heavenly father is indescribable. I will never have the answer this side of heaven but I know what I must do. With the health and strength He has given me, I must let Him use my life every day to encourage those who are suffering around me. The strength He gives me is not meant to be kept, but given away. His word must fill my life so I can use it to help anchor the soul of those who are being tossed by the storm. My peace will be found in silence and solitude. So will yours.
Terri, Beth, and Brittany, you are my inspiration. Please know there is not one day that I do not pray for you, think of you and hurt deeply as I watch you suffer. I have wept many, many days as God has gripped my heart with a powerful love for each of you. Psalm 39:12 says, "Hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping." Psalm 40:1 says, "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry."
I know you are holding on with all your strength to the hand of our Father. Don't let go! I love you!
"Suffering is a wonderful fertilizer for the roots of character. The great objective of this life is character, for it is the only thing we can carry with us into eternity. And gaining as much of the highest character possible is the purpose of our trials."
"We often pray to be delivered from afflictions, and even trust God that we will be. But we do not pray for Him to make us what we should be while in the midst of the afflictions. Nor do we pray that we would be able to live within them, for however long they may last, in the complete awareness that we are held and sheltered by the Lord and can therefore continue within them without suffering any harm."
Suffering ourselves or watching others suffer can be at times unbearable. The weight of suffering can crush the soul. No man can bear up under suffering. Christ is the only one able to shoulder the intense pain of our suffering. Casting our cares upon him is crucial if we are to stand under the weight of our sorrow.
Saturday will be the memorial service for Danica, a friend who died at the young age of 31, leaving behind a sweet husband and 2 darling children, ages 3 and 9. God has led our family to bear the burden of grief with this family. Deep sorrow has washed over my heart time and time again as I have reflected on what a life without mom and wife will mean in the days and years to come for this family.
Last week a dear friend and fellow colleague of mine had to undergo surgery to remove part of her colon and some tumors that were found. Terri has battled cancer for these past 7 years. I have prayed with her, walked alongside her the entire journey and asked God to heal her. She is Taryn's senior English teacher and one of the most loved teachers on campus.
Beth is our librarian and another good friend of mine for these past 8 years. She was diagnosed with colon cancer a few years ago and was in remission. She is now battling cancer again. Beth is one of the sweetest people I know. She is suffering intensely and yet every time I speak with her she is concerned about my health!
And then there is Brittany, a former student of mine who just turned 14. She has had several surgeries to remove a brain tumor and is in and out of the hospital now as the doctors are trying different treatments. The suffering this young girl has endured is more than most adults could bear.
I sit here writing in wonderful health with my cancer in full remission, wondering, "Why not me?' How have I managed to free myself from the clutches of this insidious disease while others have not? My gratefulness to my Heavenly father is indescribable. I will never have the answer this side of heaven but I know what I must do. With the health and strength He has given me, I must let Him use my life every day to encourage those who are suffering around me. The strength He gives me is not meant to be kept, but given away. His word must fill my life so I can use it to help anchor the soul of those who are being tossed by the storm. My peace will be found in silence and solitude. So will yours.
Terri, Beth, and Brittany, you are my inspiration. Please know there is not one day that I do not pray for you, think of you and hurt deeply as I watch you suffer. I have wept many, many days as God has gripped my heart with a powerful love for each of you. Psalm 39:12 says, "Hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping." Psalm 40:1 says, "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry."
I know you are holding on with all your strength to the hand of our Father. Don't let go! I love you!
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