joy

May your Christmas be over-flowing with sweet peace and hope-filled joy as you celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

how to receive the good news

We slipped into the back row and waited for the music to begin.

As the banjo, cello, and guitar strummed their melodious sonnets of Christmas joy, a slow smile spread across Grant's face and he began to rock in sync with the music; his body keeping the rhythm like a ticking metronome.

Mesmerized.

When the first song ended, Grant clapped enthusiastically and bellowed his normal sounds of glee. A few people turned around in their seats to see who was expressing such loud accolades, but then knowing smiles embraced their faces as they settled back and relaxed to the next song.

All was OK.

No one was frustrated with the boy who boisterously exclaimed his joyous approval.

No one was annoyed with the boy who was... different.

Because here, all are welcomed.

The good news is for all who will listen. I marvel that God chose lowly shepherds to be the first to hear of Jesus' humble arrival... and then those simple men were serenaded by a sky filled with a heavenly host. Can you imagine being one of those shepherds as they rushed to see the Messiah?

I looked at my oldest son, who was again rocking to the music, and thought, May we all rejoice as freely and loudly as Grant when we hear the good news!
  
"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them." Luke 2:20  

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For a couple weeks we enjoyed 70 degree weather in North Carolina - in December. Believe me, the boys took full advantage of the warm weather.

prepare Him room

"The greatest gift you will ever receive will never be found under a Christmas tree. It is far too valuable to be stored in any other place but in the depths of your heart." 
~Anonymous

 

continuing Thanksgiving

The final leaves are falling and the temperature is dropping. The day marked Thanksgiving has come and gone - but I am lingering in its memories.

Too quickly the eloquent phrases of gratitude, reminiscing our blessings both big and small, are being replaced by Christmas wish lists, persistent holiday commercials and over-crowded stores. I feel surrounded by loud "hurried-ness".

I must admit, at first I was tempted to isolate myself and resist the advances of the holiday season (and risk being labeled a scrooge), but as I pulled out the advent devotional and unpacked our little manger scene, I began to realize that my soul's yearning aligns perfectly with Christmas. It is a day to give thanks and celebrate the biggest blessing of all.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

I want to celebrate hope. I want to celebrate truth. I want celebrate Jesus' birth.

I want to spend Christmas day giving thanks and eating birthday cake. :)

You can have all this world, just give me Jesus...

And so I will continue counting my blessings while joyfully celebrating the greatest gift of all... the Word made flesh.

"...let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."

Hebrews 12:28-29

As you prepare for the Christmas holiday, may you remember to marvel God and His life-changing gift to us.

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Just a few blessings that fill my heart full of gratitude...

The Autum season. Colorful, fallen leaves. Playfulness.

Smiles.

Laughter. Swinging.

More smiles.

Long walks. Beautiful weather. Fresh air. Sunshine.

A joyful heart. More laughter.

Quiet. Slowing down. Peacefulness.

Beauty. Blue sky. Creation.

Brothers. Companionship.

Grandparents. Patience. Support.

Rest. Hugs. Unconditional love.

Books. Simple pleasures. Warm home. Blankets. Husband/Daddy. Family.

Cuddle time.

May your heart be full of gratitude as you continue to ponder your blessings and remember the reason for the season.

lift up your eyes

"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 
Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. 
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 
The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life.

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore."
Psalm 121

beautiful ordinary

It has been a month full of ordinary.

Washing piles of laundry, organizing parts of the house, grocery shopping, meal-making, Bible study, occupational therapy, speech therapy, mounds of medical paperwork and play dates have consumed every spare moment of my time.

While I have ached to sit at the computer and write, my family has needed more of my attention. Mommy-duty filled with reading books, wiping noses, late-evening "flashlight" walks and backyard games of "fumble" always come first - and sometimes it requires every nook and cranny of my day.

So thank you for letting me slip away for a short spell. It has, for the most part, been good. My days have been full of beautiful ordinary.

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Even though the past few weeks have also been filled with colds and flu-like illnesses, we have found ways to weave in autumn pleasures. We have enjoyed long walks to breathe deeply the cool air, piling up leaves to jump into, apple pie, and a couple trips to a pumpkin patch at a local family farm.

where to find the Light

Thank you, Lord, for always lighting my path. Even as I am led, often one step at a time, down mysterious ways, I can trust that You are by my side as I lean on You for help, forgiveness, hope, truth and love.

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"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 27:1

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Psalm 119:105

"And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them."

Isaiah 42:16

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him."

Daniel 2:20-22

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"

John 8:12

stability {throughout all seasons of life}

heartfelt mercies

    I am so very, very thankful for the heartfelt mercies of God!

"Through the heartfelt mercies of our God, God's Sunrise will break in upon us, Shining on those in the darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death, Then showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace." 
Luke 1:78-79 (The Message)

    May you bask in the light and, one foot at a time, walk down the path of peace.

"...God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all."
1 John 1:5 (NASB)

when change demands growth

As we neared the Sunday school classroom, Grant clutched my hand with a grip that said, please don't let me go.

Eyes wide with fear, he pulled me down and placed his fingers on my mouth. He wants me to speak his words for him. He wants me to say aloud the phrases he wishes to shout. As I held him close I could feel his heart drum with an anxious beat.

My own heart melted as I soothed him into the new situation. I searched my mind for a way to make him understand that he will never be alone. He is safe here.

He doesn't know it, but this whole situation has been planned to the smallest detail. For weeks people have worked hard to pull together a team of "buddies" for Grant. They have been gathered together and trained. Nothing has been overlooked. He will be taken care of... he will be loved.

He is loved.

But Grant doesn't understand - not yet. He cannot see the big picture as I can. He must trust me. This new situation is scary and will be difficult at first. But it will help him to grow and develop. And he will never, never be alone during the whole process.

I whispered a prayer for strength into Grant's ears as I led him into his new room. I pulled him close and began to quietly sing a song based on Psalm 56:3-4; a song often sung when Grant is feeling anxious.

     When I am afraid,
     I will put my trust in You.
     In God, whose word I praise,
     In God I have put my trust;
     I shall not be afraid.

I know God is whispering the same truth to me. Trust me...

Once again, I am entering another scary situation*.  I am being forced to change - to grow - to trust.

It is not fun but I know the outcome will produce fruits of faith I long for... and I pray that it will bring glory to God.

A state of mind that sees God in everything is evidence of growth in grace and a thankful heart. ~ Charles Finney

Adversity is not simply a tool. It is God's most effective tool for the advancement of our spiritual lives. The circumstances and events that we see as setbacks are oftentimes the very things that launch us into periods of intense spiritual growth. Once we begin to understand this, and accept it as a spiritual fact of life, adversity becomes easier to bear. ~ Charles Stanley

Thank you to all of Grant's "buddies" and to the dedicated body of Christ who surrounds us with love. In just four short weeks, I have seen Grant grow. While it may be slow, he is adapting to the new challenges and it is exciting to watch his development.

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The past couple weeks have moved at a different pace. The family has been fighting colds and Grant came down with the flu. Thankfully we are all on the mend. :)

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*Will you pray?

Grant has been exhibiting symptoms of mitochondrial disease and dysautonomia.

I am still gathering information - still learning - but I have been prompted to seek medical attention.

I will keep you updated. Perhaps it is nothing... but either way, God is faithful and we praise Him!

  Thank you.