Merry Christmas!

The Great Joy

That my king would leave his home, his throne and his glory

To be born in a dirty stable, to a family of no means, to walk this dusty earth

To be man wholly and feel the depths of joy and sadness this world can bring

That he would face the deceiver and deny the temptation to avoid the cost

That he would plead with his father, if this cup could pass but be obedient still

That he would restrain himself and accept

In his humanity the beating and the mocking of the crowd

That he would suffer

That he would die

That he would descend to the depths of hell

That he would conquer death and Satan’s hold

That he would stand triumphant

For me

OH GREAT JOY!

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;

He is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)

Confession # 2: I am NOT a professional plate spinner.

Have you seen that act in the circus, where the person in a jazzy jumpsuit (with sequins up the side) spins plates on 8 foot sticks and manages to do flips and cartwheels in addition to NOT breaking any of plates. Minus the sequined ensemble, I find myself juggling my life in much this same fashion!! Unfortunately-I am not a pro. I often break plates and I have yet to land a cartwheel in the process!

Case in Point: It’s Thanksgiving week-I am in full Thanksgiving mode. The Turkey is thawing in the fridge, and I still need to grab noodles and dressing ingredients at the store. First, I have to make it through this workweek.  My Tuesday begins by confirming that my sitter’s kids (better known as my niece and nephew) still have a stomach virus-so I have to adjust-I’ll take the kids directly to the bus and go into work late. I have a bit of extra time-it’s already been a hectic week, so I let the kids sleep in, while I try to manage a few chores and pack lunches. I get the kids up, get everyone dressed and prepped for the day and race out the door. Two minutes into the ride, my son meekly asks, “Mama, is it ok if I eat breakfast at school today?” and it is at that moment I realize, oh my word, I forgot to feed my children!! Yes in my attempt to cram more into my already pressed day, I had forgotten one of my primary morning tasks, feeding my kids!! I would like to say that this was a first time offence, but I’d be lying. So immediately I go into panic mode and remembering that there is a tube of yogurt in both kid’s lunch boxes, I instruct them to eat those. Now crumbling under the guilt overload I make a desperate decision. Reaching into my purse, I pull out a tattered plastic baggy containing two chocolate chip cookies that have survived two weeks in my oversized bag. I give each child a cookie and again express how sorry I am that I forgot breakfast! We arrive at the bus stop only to discover that we are ten minutes early for the bus, go figure! I make a quick dash to the corner gas station and snag two packages of mini donuts and two juices and manage to get the kids, although not the healthiest option, at least a breakfast that won’t leave them starving until lunch rolls around. Back at the bus stop the kids reassure me that I have not scarred them for life. They tell me it’s ok, that they are ok and that they never thought I would EVER give them cookies for breakfast! We giggle and I am humbled at the ease of their forgiveness.

This Thanksgiving I find myself especially thankful for grace! Grace: the undeserved pardon of my children when I overbook, over schedule and overlook even their necessities; and the undeserved pardon from my heavenly father when I fall short in ministry, parenting and in life-when Jesus stands in the gap and allows me to dust myself off and try again. Thank you Lord for Grace!

I will never master spinning all my plates. And in fact I need to do better about not having so many plates in the air at once. So, I will happily continue to be in awe of the circus plate spinner and just really glad I don’t have to wear that jumpsuit!!

“But because of his great love for us,

God, who is rich in mercy,

made us alive with Christ even when we were

dead in transgressions-

it is by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)

Confession #1-Most of the time I totally forget that I’m not running the world!

So today, 11/19/11 Saturday, having recovered from Soccer Season (my busiest time of year, this year compounded by grieving for the loss of my grandmother and trying to lead a small church plant) we finally get to enjoy a day at home. Nothing is planned; Ron has to work, so my agenda includes cooking breakfast for the kids and doing dishes! Of course because of my over achiever-itis I start adding to my list, wash the sheets, finish the laundry, clean the hardwood floors, pay bills, workout, and quickly I see my free day fading away. After a java break-my head clears a bit and I opt to take the kids to the park-workout and kids play-it’s a win-win!! It’s one of those weird November days in Ohio where it’s mostly cloudy but the sun peeks in and out of the clouds, the breeze is steady but the temp is nearly 60. Rock on-I can soak up a few stray rays and exercise!! The kids zip away on their scooters and I clumsily follow in a slow jog/walk/jog.

Half a mile in, I am totally in my head creating a grocery list and rummaging thru the never-ending to-do items that I track in my head on a daily basis. Buy batteries for the fire alarm, pick up the kids prescription, call Papa, what am I gonna make for dinner, when’s that report due at work…and so goes the list. The landscape catches my eye and I see the pumpkin water tower in the distance and ask God to pour out his spirit on our town in a mighty way. Then my “should” switch activates and I think that I should use this time to pray instead of adding to my ever growing list.

Right then God halts my thoughts and whispers “Be Still and Know that I am God”! This is a conversation God and I have had before! He quickly reminds me that my list can wait; the constant busy-ness in my brain is keeping me from enjoying this moment he specifically brought me here to enjoy! The clouds thin and sunlight streams down on the park, the breeze blows against my cheeks and I hear my kids giggling in the distance! What a blessing and what a dummy I am! I nearly missed this-I would have mindlessly listed this moment away-Thank you Lord for your enormous patience with me, for your gracious reminding that you alone have things under control, that you can handle the bills, you’ll supply the strength to get the housework done, that you will lead our work at the church and that the final outcome doesn’t depend on whether I checked that item off my list!

I finish my 2.4 miles (‘cause 2 miles isn’t enough) and join the kids on the playground. Laughter and fresh air are always a good combination. We retreat to the truck as raindrops start to fall-perfect timing.  I can’t help thinking that’s what today was totally about, in all my efforts to keep track of everything in my world, I so easily lose track of the most important fact-God’s got my back! He’s directing my path and in his perfect timing he will work out all the tiny details!

God, help me to “BE STILL” more often and reflect on the blessings you so lovingly place in my life everyday!

“Be still and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10

(niv)