Treasures of the Snow

 No, this post is not about the value of snow. With -30 something windchill factors these days and blizzard warnings, I'm not thinking I'll find many treasures out there!

This post is rather about a beautiful story of forgiveness and it's power in our lives that impacted me greatly when I was a young girl.

Many years ago my Aunt gave me the book Treasures in the Snow by Patricia St. John. I was an avid reader, so I was excited about the gift (not a given for gifts from aunts, but this aunt had a knack for knowing what I would like). Of course, I dove right in, and unknowingly began the journey that would end in my salvation. My parents brought my to Sunday School fairly regularly at this point in my life, but that was the extent of any teaching about faith, so while the seeds had been planted by SS teachers and watered through the prayers of extended family, it was through the reading of this book that for the first time I grasped the offer of forgiveness and salvation. I don’t remember the exact moment or day of my decision, I just remember that it was through the story that I received Jesus into my life and heart.

I have read the book countless times in my youth and even adulthood, and I’ve read it through once to my children. I plan on reading it again this Christmas season to my youngest daughter, since she was very little when I read it to them the first time. It’s a simple story, but full of beautiful relationships and truth, so I look forward to visiting the mountains of Switzerland through it once more.

I am humbled by the impact of a simple gift. My aunt probably has no idea of the influence she had in my life (I must tell her soon), but I am challenged to consider who in my life could use the simple but timeless Truth told to them. I am prompted to consider the value of sharing the Truth with others, not worrying over much about whether or not they will agree or value it right away. I am also prompted to plant seeds and water them through prayer, just like others in my life have done for me.

The story of forgiveness and redemption is ageless. Let’s continue to share it.

What Else

You know what else I love about Christmas? The secrets.

How can I not love a celebration that causes my 60 something parents to giggle and tease and sneak presents into the house? I grin from ear to ear when I see them do it-and they do it every year.

How can I not love a season in which my "too cool to care" teenagers can be found under the tree shaking presents with a twinkle of expectation in their eyes. They'll go to amazing lengths to try and get a clue or a slip up of the truth out of me, loving the whole game.

One of those same teenagers, who's never been able to sleep on Christmas eve, will still not be able to sleep this Christmas eve. He just can’t, because he’s so excited.

And so am I. This year will be no different than the others, and my heart will be full as I watch it all again.

Sappy, I know, but real, and in the midst of recession and hate and heartache, let’s embrace a season of loving secrets and surprises.

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.

Hamilton Wright Mabie

I love Christmas! I love a season, like the quote above mentions, in which even the most jaded or cynical of people look for ways of expressing or receiving love. It's OK for us to buy or make little expressions of our love and appreciation at this time of year, like it is in no other. It's still OK in many places to be singing about Jesus and His love in public places. We light up our houses, string lights and tinsel on anything that stands still, and feast. We make the time and effort to see or connect with people we seldom see the rest of the year.

All of it to celebrate the greatest of all gifts-Jesus.

I freely admit that all of this also leads to ridiculous levels of stress, expectations, and expense, but still, how beautiful that most of the world (even those who don't believe it) marks this special remembrance with celebration. Let us freely celebrate and honor God's gift and presence to and in our world. May our hearts and deeds reflect our acknowledgment of His love and sacrifice and the change in us because of them.

That's something to celebrate!

Healing

OK. I'm back after a long hiatus. Not a planned one. Just one that happened.
Bob had a planned surgery at the end of October that ended up being more involved than we had anticipated, which translates to a longer recovery than we had anticipated, schedules that are thrown off, and energy spent in different ways than usual.
He is doing well now, but in the last 4 1/2 weeks I've had time to consider healing and was interested to find that spiritual and physical healing have many similarities. Whether the healing is the result of loss, wounds inflicted by others, or even the fallout of decisions you yourself have made, healing takes time and work. Here are some thoughts:

1) The process of healing involves significant pain.
2) There are moments, especially at the beginning of the journey, where you wonder and doubt you will ever feel well again. The road seems endless and the memories of previous wholeness fade quickly. You can't imagine ever feeling well again. It's tough to keep going at this point.
3) The love of friends and family is incredibly encouraging, motivating you to continue the work of healing. You are often unable to express this appreciation as they come alongside you to encourage you, but the truth remains. Their understanding and support save you from despair.
4) The friends and family of someone struggling to heal feel helpless and find it difficult to stand by and watch someone they love, hurt.
5) As the healing progresses, glimmers of wellness emerge, and you begin to hope again for the day you will be well.
6) For every glimmer of wellness, there is a set back, and the discouragement at those times is very real.
7) Moving ahead too quickly results in set backs as well. Slowly allowing the healing that is often unseen takes discipline and patience, not to mention trust in the Healer. Running ahead of His plan and timing often hurts more than helps.
8) Healing does come. Not nearly as quickly as we would like, but it comes. And not usually because of something we've actually done, but because of resting and trusting in the Hand of the Healer.
9) And then the day comes when we are whole and well again. The memory of the pain does not go away, but the realization of how far we've come humbles and moves us to thankfulness. The scars remain, pointing to where we've been, but also testifying to how far we've come.

I praise our Healer, Who loves us enough to allow us to go through the pain with Him in order to heal and grow. His patience and grace humble and move me as I consider how He draws us through these times.

A Fortress

"There will always be a million nagging tugs on our time and
attention, and somewhere in the middle of all the tugging it is
essential we build a fortress wherein only God, His words,
and our heart exist together for a time.
It rarely happens accidentally."
(Kelly Minter, "No Other Gods")

I read this today in preparation for a study I'm leading tomorrow and the truth in it really hit me. There's been much conversation around me lately about why we aren't reading the Word, and why our relationships with Jesus aren't growing. We ask ourselves and each other why it's not a priority and what we have to do to have time to read our Bibles and be with God.

I think this statement answers the question and offers the solution. I love the image of "building a fortress", since a fortress doesn't happen by accident, nor does it rise up over night. It is intentional, protecting, and solid. May my time alone with Jesus be the same.

I welcome your thoughts and further comments on this topic. I’ve only scratched the surface here-what can you add?

Giving Thanks

It's Thanksgiving here in Canada so I am taking a moment to list some things I don't want to take for granted. Of course, this could never be an exhaustive list, but here goes anyway:

-a beautiful corner of the world to live in
-breathtaking fall colours on the trees that lasted way longer than usual this year
-my friends and family living near by
-a great job with perfect hours and flexibility when I need it
--Bob having his dream job-so clearly a gift from God
-safety in worship and in everyday life
--friendships that you thought had faded away but have now been renewed
-new “blogger” friends that encourage me, teach me, and make me laugh
-strength that could never be your own to do the tasks you've been given
-a cozy, full of personality cat named Dennis curled up beside me
-people who know the real you-but love you anyway
-a husband who so faithfully models Christ's love and sacrifice on a daily basis
-having children with such great senses of humor that you regularly roll with laughter
-seeing growth in those same children as they face life's challenges and pain
-seeing growth in myself (never as much as there should be-but growth all the same)
-the promise that some day soon we will be with Jesus and in a place where there will be no more tears and no more sorrow. I long for that day.

So, with a thankful heart I wish you and yours a very special Thanksgiving .

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakeable, let us be thankful
and please God by worshipping him with holy fear and awe.
Hebrews 12:28

Hold on to Your Kids

I went to a seminar last night that was taught by a Dr. Gordon Neufeld. I have a friend who had read one of his books (I believe by the same name-Hold on to Your Kids) and really liked it, so I thought I would make the time to attend this free offering. The seminar really was good-it clarified so many things and gave hope.
Dr. Neufeld's focus is on relationship. He says that children in good relationship with their parents are easy to teach and parent. They trust you and move to the place in their relationship with you in which they desire to please and emulate you. He had some very good points, which I won't begin to try and write here, but the focus was on "Do you have your child's heart?" He reminded us that even with a multi billion dollar industry in parenting help, we are losing our kids at a record rate. It's not a "how-to" issue, it's a heart issue.
So, I want to hold onto my kids and I certainly want their hearts. I want to delight in them and enjoy them and meet them where they are, so that they in turn know that my love for them is solid-it will never change. I want them to know that no matter what, they have parents who will do their job of parenting. In a world that offers fleeting pleasure and empty promises, I want our home to be stable and safe. A sanctuary filled with love. Sounds easy, but it's so easy to lose sight of!
Here's a link to his sight, if you're interested. I encourage you to check it out. He'll say it much better than I ever could! http://www.gordonneufeld.com/