A New List

Go here, go there. Do this, do that. Buy for him, buy for her. Make those lists and check them all twice. With all of the hustle and bustle that usually comes with the Christmas season we often lose sight of what really matters. We are often overcome with anxiety and hurriedness, instead of experiencing the peace and joy that Jesus came to give at this miraculous and holy time of year. At that first Christmas so long ago in a stable full of curious animals, Mary and Joseph had their minds filled with a singular focus; the birth of their sweet baby Jesus.  The shepherds who watched over the flocks by night heard the angels declare with joyous song the arrival of The Son of God; The Savior of the world. Filled with awe and wonder they hurriedly ran to join the celebration in Bethlehem. Everything centered around the birth of Jesus on this most special night in all of history.

 It is time to make a new list- Put Jesus first. Remember the simplicity of His beautiful and humble birth. Appreciate the grace and mercy that God has shown to me through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son.  In His honor, love, give and show kindness to others. Give smiles, hugs and encouraging words freely. Slow down and appreciate the time with loved ones. Make memories. Bless others.

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, 
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

For Keeps

 

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

There are many things that can worry and upset us; troubles, hardships, and like Martha even busyness. I can so often identify with Martha and her misplaced focus. “Tracy, Tracy, you are worried and upset about many things. Things that seem good and important at that instance, but have no real lasting value. Oh, to be like Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus. Soaking in His presence, letting Him revitalize my soul.  When I make time with Him my number one priority I am then able to tend to the things of this world with a peaceful, proper perspective. Time with Jesus is always a wise investment, which holds eternal value. The treasures that come from these encounters will not be taken from us; they are for keeps.

Doggone Good

                                                        

 God is so good!!! Earlier this summer we were dog sitting a relatives’ black Lab puppy. She was a big cuddly, bundle of energy. She was a wonderful, sweet, floppy addition to our family for about five weeks. Over the course of her time with us I would take her on daily walks through the neighborhood. She was a pure delight to watch as she discovered new sights, smells and sounds at every turn. Everything was a curious adventure. Most days as we walked I would laugh to myself and sometimes out loud at her silliness. One day however made me cry instead of laugh. We were minding our own business strolling down the sidewalk enjoying our evening together, when all of a sudden a vicious, wildly ferocious Chihuahua (yes, I said Chihuahua) came charging at us. It was yapping like crazy and nipping at the sweet innocent Lab. The Lab just looked at her very bewildered, not understanding why they couldn’t be friends. To defend my dog I bent over and scooped up this out of control beast. I held it in my outstretched arms facing away from my body and face. All the while it continued in its’ frenzy. I saw two men up the sidewalk a couple of houses away watching the whole situation. I tried to tell them that this dog was terrorizing us but they just smiled and went on with their conversation. I turned and started walking down the street in the direction of my own house which was quite a distance away. I couldn’t let the dog down or it would continue biting mine.  So, I stopped and I went to the gate of the first house I saw and slid the little brute through the bars of someone’s gate. Well, unbeknownst to me it was the house of one of those men. He came over immediately, completely outraged that I would possibly put a dog into his yard. I tried to explain, 1- I didn’t know it was his yard, 2- I was going to come back for it and help find its home once I had gotten my dog to safety. He wanted to hear none of my explanation, so he opened the gate let the monster out and it began biting his own little dog. I asked him how he liked it. The Chihuahua ran away and I began my very emotional walk home. I was so angry at his heartlessness and also frustration at my motives being misunderstood.

Over the past few months I have only passed by this man a couple of times. One of the times I accidentally said hi to him (because I usually say hi to everyone I pass). I had been praying for a chance at restoration, and forgiveness in my own heart towards him.

Well, today was that day. God is so extremely good. He desires reconciliation for all relationships. After all He is the Ultimate Reconciler. He reconciled us to Himself even though we didn’t deserve His grace. This morning as I turned the corner to enter my neighborhood I encountered a couple of women trying to entice and corral a little dog who had wandered into the rather busy intersection. I pulled over and joined in the effort. We got him away from the intersection and onto a side street which was still pretty busy. One lady got out her dog bones to lure the dog. The dog was very skittish and would bolt anytime we got too near. Soon another neighbor stopped to help with his leash in hand. He did get close enough to get a glimpse of the dog’s name. Then yet another couple tried to use their own dog as friendly bait. Still the dog wouldn’t come close enough for anyone to grab. I was praying that God would calm the dog and cause him to come to anyone us of. Suddenly it dawned on me that I might know which house he belonged to. I hopped in my car and drove up the street and around the corner and parked in front of the house where I had had my previous encounter just months earlier.  I walked up to the porch, knocked on the door and a woman answered. I asked if she had a dog with the same name as the one wandering around.  Indeed she did. It was her dog!! It was the dog of the man I had been avoiding, yet praying for. I told them to hurry and follow me to where their dog was at. We rounded the corner, they got out of the car, and their dog ran immediately to them. He was now safe and sound!!! Relief was felt by everyone involved. The couple thanked us all. The woman came up to my car window followed by her husband and asked how I knew it was their dog. I told her that I had remembered seeing a small dog at their house before and thought it might belong to them.  I didn’t  make any mention of the previous encounter. That was in the past. But, I am pretty sure I saw recognition in the husband’s eyes as he gratefully smiled at me. Only God could orchestrate reconciliation in such a way.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19, All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.