Christmas Revelations Part Two

Christmas is so different this year. For one there have been so many changes in my own life: new friends, new opportunities and a new living situation. A year ago, never would I have imagined my life being like it is right now. God has closed many doors and is opening up new ones even as I write this. Besides those things, 6 months ago my dad lost his job and my brother has been away doing study abroad in Turkey. For the longest time it didn't feel like Christmas at all. In fact, I wondered if we were just going to "skip" Christmas entirely with my dad being out of work and my brother overseas. I figured we would "just have Christmas" when my brother was home.

All of these changes have helped me to experience something just a little different than I've ever experienced on Christmas in the past. Instead of things being stressful and busy, the entire day has been relaxing and easy going. Instead of fussing about presents, we had an early dinner and focused on each other. All afternoon we have spent time with family friends....and I feel so blessed. 

Although lights, gifts, trees, tinsel and the Christmas spirit are nice and all...there are things way more important. This Christmas has really helped me to focus on what's really important: family, friends, and the birth of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for the opportunity to really meditate on and remember the meaning behind it all. I am so glad God has orchestrated life events in such a way to allow me to embrace the gifts He has given me. Especially in such a different way....and especially at this time of year.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" -Isaiah 9:6

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel" -Isaiah 7:14

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” -Matthew 1:21

God is good. Merry Christmas, everyone.

Christmas Revelations Part One

I grew up in church, so I've heard the same Christmas story for at least the past 20 years of my life. This year, I heard a little something different.

"The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." -Luke 1:28-33

At this point, I can just imagine Mary taking a huge breath as she tries to swallow what she just heard. How strange it must have been for an angel to appear to her and say, "Oh, by the way, you're favored! Good job, Mary! Now, you're pregnant with God's son. I know you are going to get married and all, but it will all work out." I mean, there are so many things about that which should truly have shaken her.

1) An angel just appeared to her and told her something that literally just rocked her world and would change her life forever2) Mary now had to go tell her fiance that she was pregnant3) Not only does she have to tell him that she's pregnant, but she's pregnant with God's son

I think this kind of news would have thrown any of us for a loop...but not Mary.

Truly the best part about all this is is her final response.

''How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God...For no word from God will ever fail.' 'I am the Lord’s servant,' Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.' Then the angel left her." -Luke 1:34-35, 36-38

Think about it, how awesome is it that this girl's life had literally just been turned upside down, and instead of running away she chooses to believe exactly what the angel said and trust in God  Wow, what a testimony!

I don't know about you, but sometimes I have a hard time accepting things God says to me. Sometimes he tells me things that I don't want to hear, or sometimes he allows things in my life to happen that don't make sense or that hurt me or throw my life on it's side. He will even keep me places that don't make any sense or put desires in my heart for my life that confuse me to pieces.  Some of these things are literally life altering, or they can just FEEL life altering and a huge deal (but they really aren't).  I am convinced that how one responds to situations such as these says SO much about who you are and about your faith in God. Mary must have had a crazy amount of faith in order to have responded that way, and I think she's so awesome for it.

It really challenges me to have so much faith and trust in God, that when he throws a curve ball and wants to do something big in my life (even if it's the scariest thing in the world) to respond just like Mary.

"'I am the Lord’s servant,' Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.'"  -Luke 1:38

That One Time I Prayed For Patience

Have you ever heard the saying "Be careful what you wish for"?  Well...sometimes I wonder if we should say "Be careful what you pray for" instead.  Now, I don't mean to say you should question what you are praying for, that's not it at all (although motives are always a good thing to consider!).  No, what I mean is, if you're going to pray for something you better be prepared for God to answer it!

Sometimes I think we become careless in our words, flippant in our vocabulary and even in our time alone with God, we pray for things without completely thinking things through.  Then, when God answers our prayer, we get surprised when we actually get a chance to practice that character trait we had been praying for.  And if you're anything like me, then you get frustrated with God....in your impatience.

Patience...patience is by no means a strong aspect of who I am.  Everyone who knows me well, knows this about me.  But don't get me wrong, I have my moments.  I will be patient with that slow driver in front of me, that new cashier at the store, or long waits for whatever I might be doing throughout my day until the cows come home.  I will be patient with that one friend I've been trying to offer guidance and advice to even if it goes in one ear and right out the other.  I will love until my love tank runs dry and then I'll love some more while just waiting and being patient.

But when God tells me to wait for something my heart so deeply desires?  That's when everything screeches to a halt.  Whatever the situation may be, I am TERRIBLE at waiting on God.  It's so hard for me to look at a situation and not get my hands dirty and fiddle with it.  It literally takes every part of me to sit back, grit my teeth and let things be.

I have a few things going on right now that I have talked to God about.  I have prayed for guidance, wisdom, for the strength to wait on Him and let Him control and for yup, you guessed it...PATIENCE.  I know my heart behind that prayer, but I really don't think I was prepared for what was to come afterwards...

Ever since God has made it absolutely clear that I must stay in those situations I previously mentioned and wait for his cue to move and to let Him handle everything.  The good news is that He heard me and answered my prayer.  The not as exciting news is that He has given me the opportunity to practice the patience I so desire.

Now begins the long drawn out process of waiting.  It's so hard for me when God only gives me enough light to see my feet!  I get so impatient and frustrated when he doesn't give me enough to see where to take the next step.  But that's where faith and trust come in.

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" -Hebrews 11:1

And there is more good news!  God is so full of grace and good things despite my weakness.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" -2 Corinthians 12:9

Don't get me wrong, I by no means regret praying for patience, I'm actually glad I did!  I know the season He has me in will grow me beyond my wildest dreams and that's pretty exciting.  Is it hard?  Oh yes, but when is growing in an area of life you struggle in ever easy?

"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently" -Romans 8:25

The lesson I learned is to realize what is coming out of my mouth so that I can prepare my heart accordingly for what is to come, moments to practice those Christ-like traits that I so desire.  Next time, maybe I won't be as surprised by all that comes my way.

My hope for you is the next time you pray, think about the words and be prepared for God to answer and help you to practice what you're praying for too.

God is so good and I so look forward to what's coming next!