Christmas Lesson 2012

Every year at Christmas, another part of the Christmas story comes alive to me in a personal way.

Some years, it comes to me in a song lyric that I must have missed the million times I have listened before.
Other years, it's a line or theme from a Christmas movie that sticks with me.
Then, there are the years of a major life event that causes my view of Christmas to change yet again.

God has consistently changed the lens of how I view the Christmas story in so many different ways over the years.
I now look forward to how He will do it yet again in the weeks leading up the actual day.
This year was no different.


God has been dealing with me a lot about obedience lately.
There is this amazing verse in the Old Testament that has been rolling around my head. Saul (the king at the time) has taken what God had asked him to specifically do and changed it.
In Saul's eyes, it was just a little change.
In Saul's eyes, he was choosing something that he thinks God would want.
In Saul's eyes, he was exchanging obedience to God for a sacrifice to God.

God's reply is priceless as He speaks through the prophet, Samuel:
"Then Samuel said, "Is the LORD as delighted with burnt offerings and sacrifices as He would be with your obedience? To follow instructions is better than sacrifice. To obey is better than sacrificing the fat of rams." I Samuel 15:22



This morning when I was in church, I was reflecting on Christmas and wondering what God was going to show me this year. One word came to me: Obedience.

The Christmas story is a perfect example of
a bunch of ordinary people
being obedient
to Him.

Jesus was obedient to come to Earth --
even though it would make him human.

Mary was obedient to carry this child --
even though it would bring her shame.

Joseph was obedient to stay with Mary --
even though it would bring him shame.

The angels were obedient to announce His birth --
even though it was to a lowly bunch of shepherds.

The shepherds were obedient to go and worship Him in the stable --
even though they were probably tired and had lots of work to do.

The Wise Men were obedient to follow that star --
even though it cost them untold amounts of time and money.

They Wise Men continued their obedience to not tell Herod of who the child was --
even though they were promised good things by him.

Joseph was obedient (again) to leave his home and move to Egypt --
even though he would be living in a foreign land.


Ordinary people -
being obedient to Him.

Ordinary people -
Not choosing sacrifice in place of obedience.

Ordinary people
choosing obedience that led to a pleasing sacrifice for Him.


This becomes my lesson this year:

Christmas 2012.
Me
being obedient
to Him.

Dirt Path Beginnings

This morning I woke up in a funk.
I was mopey and sad and couldn't put my finger on the reason.
Even my dear Hubby commented that I looked upset.
I had not even realized that I was showcasing all the glumness until he mentioned it.

Yesterday, I was around a bunch of babies.
I love babies.
I LOVE THEM!
However, when you are waiting for another baby to come -- sometimes the aftermath of no new, sweet bundle of baby in your arms can remind you of that big hole somewhere in your heart.

So there I was.
Perched on the tub.
Bottom lip puckered out.
Moping in my laments.

B tried to cheer me up with a pep talk and sweet encouragements.
I just nodded.

I know that SOMEWHERE down deep - he is right.
I don't need to worry.
Everything will work out.
It will be another amazing story of God's promise fulfilled.
But I was still melancholy.

Then, I blurted ou:

"I almost feel like I am walking down this old dirt path -
kicking stones -
because it's hot on this trail.
I am at the beginning of this loooong journey
- to who knows where???
And even though I have left the place I started -
I still got a long ways to go!"

And then I felt God say:
"But at least you are outside!!!"


***FLASHBACK TO MY JUNE 3rd POST***


And then I just laughed. I started laughing!

I AM OUTSIDE!!!

I AM OUT OF THE HOUSE!

THE SCREEN DOOR HAS SLAMMED BEHIND ME AND

I


AM


OUTSIDE!!!!!!



And isn't that just like a human?

We can't wait to get outside,
and then when we get there -
it's hot
and dusty
and a lot farther path to take than what we thought
on the inside.

I told B God's gentle reminder.
I repented of MY humanity -
for being a never-content child of God.
And the rest of the day, I smiled.

In my mind, I turned around on the dirt path -
noticed the house wasn't even that far behind me -
yelled a "Thank you!!!" to God -
And turned around to keep walking.


The journey has begun.
I am outside the house.
The screen door has closed behind me.
I am on my way to that beautiful place He has for me.

5.

5.

Starting to Lose Teeth.

Half-Way Through the First Decade.

Using All the Fingers on One Hand.

Yet, Still So Young.



5.

Taller than the Table.

Taller Than Momma's Hips.

Big Enough To Ride A Bike.

Yet, Still A Lap-Cuddler.


5.

Strong Ideas for What He Wants.

Strong Ideas for What He Likes.

Strong Ideas that Sometimes are Hard to Express.

Yet, Still Figuring Out So Much.


5.

Best 5 Years Ever.

Best 60 Months Ever.

Best Beautiful Son Ever.

Yet, Always My Baby Boy.


Happy 5th Birthday, Son!
You are My PRECIOUS JOY!!

I Love You!
From Now, Until ...

Growed Up Me

Some mornings as I quietly pad around my kitchen and brew my coffee,
I look around my house and think,
"How did I get here?
This is SO much better than I could have ever imagined."

Some days I want to go back to 15 year old Stacy and say:
"Your life will be better than you could ever imagine in 17 years!
Don't take yourself so seriously,
breathe a bit more
and forget the haters."

But I doubt I would listen to myself.
And would I be here if I hadn't been so uptight?
and not been scarred by those haters?

Maybe all that crazy worrying of 15 year old Stacy
got me to the Zen place of 32 year old Stacy.

I know people have said that everything works together for good
... But it really does.
And as someone looking back at their life right now,
I see that it actually works out BETTER than good.
It works out to amazingness!

So hold on 15 year old Stacy!
You are doing just fine
and life just gets better and better
Than you can even imagine!

I wonder what 70 year old Stacy would say about that?

Worst Day Better

So I had a bad day today.

One of those days where you cry the entire way home from work ... Even though your 4 year old is sitting in the back.

One of those days where you realize you are making a wrong turn and instead of just laughing it off - you cry even harder .... Even though your 4 year old is sitting in the back.

One of those days that when you hear someone's voice on the other end of the phone - you can't even talk because you are crying so hard... Even though your 4 year old is in the back.

And then ... from the 4 year old in the back:

"Mommy? Here! (passes me a Smartie)

What's wrong? If you are still sad about school, you just need to not think about it! You aren't there right now! That's what I do ... and then I forget about it forever. Get your mind off of it. Look!!!!! The sun is shining through the clouds! Isn't that pretty?"

My worst day just got better ... From a 4 year old in the back.