Because December...

We hope your holiday preparations and travels are blessed this week! Let's pray we're women awake to God's presence in every passing season. Joy is ours in Him! Check out the link below to an article inviting us to consider living aware, hope-filled, and grace covered this Christmas...

"Because December..." at Unravel Grace


Merry, Merry Christmas!

Women of Advent Part 3

Anna the Prophetess

Invariably as the Christmas season draws to a close, well meaning friends will inquire, “Did you get all you wanted?” or “Was time with your family everything you hoped it would be?”

There are any number of answers to these questions. Some years we do, some we don’t,  and some fall exceedingly short of any semblance of “happy” holidays. Truth is, what we expect from these sentimentally charged days, changes from year to year.

Anna is a church figure fondly esteemed. Her personal biography impressive; from the tribe of Asher, daughter of Phanuel, a prophetess. Her legacy impeccable; never leaving the temple, she worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. And many a beautiful baby girl has been named in her honor.

What isn’t talked about as much is, she had a husband she shared a home with for seven years. Then, for some sixty four years, she lived as a widow...no husband, no home. I wonder how long it took her to turn the life she thought she would have, and the life she actually had, into grateful devotion? I wonder, if asked if she got all she wanted, what she would’ve said in year 3 at the temple, or year 12, or year 49?

It’s emotionally easier on us to sum up a life well lived than to chronicle the years one by one. But 64 years is 64 years, regardless of the era in which one lives. Days are long, challenges arise, expectations shatter, friendships wane. And Anna was no less a victor and a failure than we.

Yet her life is celebrated because of the faithfulness it displayed. The accumulation of all the lonely days and sleepless nights didn’t distract her from her worship, but became a part of it. As a result, she was present when Mary and Joseph brought the baby to the temple; she was there to touch the tender cheek of the one she’d prayed and fasted decades for. In living every day, come what may, she didn’t miss the moment. She saw the Lord, her promised king, in infant form.

Isn’t that what we really want?  To see Jesus face to face? To know him so well, we’d recognize him anywhere? Then take heart, dear soul, your years count; each empty, tragic, wonderful one of them.

Love the Lord, all you his saints. The Lord preserves the faithful... Psalm 31:23

- Elizabeth D. 

Our God Shows Up Big

God did save us once for all eternity by his son on the cross. But he didn’t just save us once – a long time ago. He saves us moment by moment and day by day because all of our moments matter to God and he shows up big in each one of them.

As I sat on the couch the other day, a particularly dark moment came over me. It was just one of those moments that happen when life is hard and it hasn’t been easy for quite awhile. I couldn’t pick up my bible to read any encouraging scriptures, or pray and get close to God through communication, or even turn on Pandora to the praise and worship station. I couldn’t get to God. So I prayed, “I can’t get to you, but I need you right now.”

At that moment, my 8-year-old son came down the stairs to put on his shoes. As he was tying his shoe, he looked up and asked, “Mom, do you ever feel like you’re all alone?” 

I fought back tears because I know that God speaks to me through my son. “Yes,” I said. “Sometimes I feel like I’m all alone.” 

He shook his head up and down and then stopped again, looked up, and asked, “Mom, do you ever feel like even God isn’t with you?”

Fighting back tears even harder now, I said, “Yes, sometimes I feel like even God isn’t with me…But I know that’s a lie. I know that he is always with me – even if it doesn’t feel like it.” 

“Ok, I was just wondering”, he said nonchalantly. And he went outside to play.

Then I cried and thanked God for coming to me in a moment when I couldn’t get to him. And I realized he always does that. Our God always shows up. That’s what the cross was about - our God showing up for us when we couldn’t get to him. He never changes and is still that kind of father and that kind of love. His compassion, mercy, care, and comfort is big enough to continue to show up in all the moments after the cross for all of us– especially in the moments when it doesn’t feel like it. 

Our feelings, thoughts, moods, or suffering does not determine the degree in which God is showing up in our lives. Our God always shows up big – whether our pain or joy is big or small. And we feel saved every time we realize that it’s God who is showing up in our lives. Even when it looks like our child, spouse, friend, doctor, career, diet, exercise, medicine, supplement, vacation, or finances – it’s always a resource from God, a good gift, reaching down from heaven and touching the boundaries of our lives – showing up to save us.  

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV

~Tara Godard

Gifts, Beauty, Twinkle Lights & Mangers

It is strange to sit in a quiet house in this stage of my life and especially during this busy season.  These days my life is typically anything but quiet.  Tonight my husband took our daughter on a “date” and our son is asleep in his crib, leaving me with an evening to myself full of uninterrupted quiet and I have loved every second of it!  It has been awhile since I have felt full permission to slow down and just be still.  No one was watching. No one needed dinner.  No one was calling for my attention.  No one needed me to do anything for them.  I had waited a long time to experience this; simply being present and it felt like a gift. 

This is the time of year when we rush.  We hurry.  We over schedule.  We squeeze in as many errands, parties, events and celebrations as we possibly can.  We over spend, over eat, over indulge and we generally pay the price.  We set and succumb to unrealistic expectations.  The Most Wonderful Time of the Year often feels like anything but.  Our schedules swirl, but the true spirit of Advent, - this most special time of year- calls us not to just slow down, but even asks us to wait.  It asks us not to spend a dime, only receive.

It is always a struggle to slow ourselves down and savor the true meaning of the season. Children count days until packages can be unwrapped, adults count hours of opportunity to accomplish our to-dos.  We strive and always wonder if we have done enough.  I think what God wants us to remember during this season is that its not about whether we have done enough, it is that He alone is enough.  He is always enough.

This year as I practice celebrating Advent, I am also trying to give gifts that matter along with the gifts I’ve purchased.  I’m trying to give the gift of my full presence wherever I might be (not over-scheduling and giving my planner realistic boundaries).  I am offering my loved ones the gift of my full attention when they are speaking to me (this is hard for me because I often like to multi-task while I’m listening).  I’m working on giving the gift of encouragement wherever I see the opportunity and I’m trying to practice receiving the gift of grace.

I love this time of year.  With faith, we welcome this season of Advent, filled with beauty, twinkle lights and mangers.  We sing familiar songs and bask in the candlelight.  We remember the story that changed the world as we re-read scriptures depicting the birth of our Lord and Savior.  As we journey through Advent, we sing with the angels, remember the shepherds and celebrate with the wise men.  We excitedly wrap beautiful gifts and place them beneath our decorated trees as we anticipate the arrival of God’s gift to us.  We are present as we revel with our families in the wonder of it all.  It is in these moments of anticipation where it feels impossible to forget that life’s truly important gifts are always worth the wait.

Oh, come let us adore Him.

~Sarah L.  

Women of Advent Part 2 ~ Mary

If you’re a parent, then you know the beauty of watching a little life grow. You know what it is to mold character and hone skill; to share afternoon cuddles and races around the house.   And although some days are long, you know, deep down, they are the sweetest you will ever see.

Now imagine.  

You’re an unassuming, somewhat ordinary teenager - albeit engaged to be married - when the angel Gabriel appears to you.  And through his celestial greeting, you learn you’re highly favored of the Lord.

And you are troubled by these words.

As Gabriel assuages your uncertainty, he goes on to explain the Holy Spirit’s plan; that you will conceive a son and call him Jesus, Son of the Most High, and he’ll reign on David’s throne forever.  Being a virgin, this is hard to fathom, so by way of solidarity, he informs you your cousin Elizabeth, who’s old enough to be your grandmother, is also pregnant.  The intended message:  nothing is impossible with God.

And you, defined by your willing service, sign on. 

Then quickly make your way to Elizabeth’s house!  Such wisdom she has.  She knows!  She affirms!  She blesses you and your fears give way to praise and adoration.  

And you stay with her for as long as you can.

But all too soon, decrees are given, hometowns departed, journeys made.  With belly in full bloom, you go to a place you’ve never been, to do a thing you’ve never done, to observe a group you’ve never met, bow before the babe now wrapped warmly and securely by your side.  And you listen, as shepherds recount, while the light of the most significant star illumines the scene.  

You take all this in and hide it deep way down in your heart.

 Mere days later, you present this precious child at the temple, where Simeon, a God-fearing man, prays over him and proclaims he sees the salvation of Israel, and all mankind, in the face of your sweet boy.  

And you marvel.  

But he goes on to say that the little one you cradle is destined to be a figure misunderstood, spoken against, and rejected.  And you, dear mother, will feel the sword thrust through your own soul.

Now Imagine.  

Knowing parental challenges like conquering homework, navigating relationships and teaching the art of good decision making, would pale in comparison to watching your son breathe death for the whole of humanity.

Imagine.  Knowing at the tender beginning, it would end in piercing pain.  

And just a few short months ago, you were a kid without a care in the world.

~Elizabeth D. 

Light of Life

The Light of Life

Standing outside in the sunlight holding a candle, it’s shining but it's light blends with the sunlight around it. So often, only when we cling to that same candle in the darkest of nights can we fully appreciate it and allow it to light our way.  These dark times are most definitely pointing us to the light…

                                                                             

     Sunlight and the Light of Jesus 

You know the light is there. You can see it if you turn your eyes to find it, the candle that you hold. The sunlight causes you to look here and there, taking in all of the beauty that surrounds you.  It isn’t difficult.  It’s as easy as breathing because darkness is nowhere to be found.  The sun is warm on your face.  Each step is illuminated with brilliant rays of golden goodness.  There are too many distractions to name, the green fields, the flowered valleys and the blue skies dotted with clouds.  All is well.  The world is as it should be.  You feel sure footed, stable and secure.  All the while, holding your candle close knowing how valuable it is, knowing that it will be the only source of light to guide your way should you ever end up in pitch black.  You are thankful for the sunlight, thankful for the song in your heart and the skip in your step.  Why would you ever want to leave its splendor?  If darkness was your home how could you sing of joy, find your way or be thankful for it?

 Darkness and the Light of Jesus

You know the light is there. It is all you can see, the candle that you hold. You turn your eyes to find the sunlight and it is gone. You hold on to the candle with a mighty grip. You look here and there and all you see is darkness.  It’s the hardest thing you have ever done. You can hardly breathe because sunlight is nowhere to be found. You are cold. You shake with fear. You cannot find your way out of this pitch black. Where is the goodness you once knew?  It is no more. All you know is sadness and despair. The world is chaos. The darkness closes in around you and you lose your way. You feel volatile and alone. You hold your candle close, knowing how valuable it is, knowing that it will be the only source of light now that you have ended up in pitch black. How can you be thankful for this darkness? How can you be thankful for the ache in your heart and the paralyzing fear in your soul?  There is one thing that is the same, one thing that has accompanied you in both the sunlight and the darkness.  That one thing is the light of Jesus.  He shines bright in your darkness. He is all you have in your darkest of nights. You draw closer to his light than you ever did in the sunlight. His light is the only warmth on your face, the onlylight for your path. He becomes your all, your everything. He shines his light into your very soul, giving you a song to sing when you don’t have your own, teaching you that darkness can be just as beautiful as sunlight when he is in it, slowly replacing your fear and heartache with joy and faith.  Keep hold of your candle and never let it go and whether in sunlight or darkness, all will be well with the world.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

...“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12                                                                                              

May His light shine in your darkness,

Debbie Kirk