Santa's Socks

Christmas Eve was two days away. Santa and his elves were polishing the big, red sleigh beginning with the narrow, strong runners to the wide, circular carriage. It was a big job, but by whistling and singing, the work became fun. By the end of the day, however, Santa was tired and worn. When he entered his cozy, warm cottage at the top of the North Pole, he was greeted with a smile and a hug from his favorite partner, Mrs. Claus.

“My, you and the elves really outdid yourselves today,” she said. “Come, dear, rest for a spell while I fix you a cup of hot chocolate.”

“That sounds wonderful,” he said, giving Mrs. Claus a kiss on her cheek.

After Santa sank into his pillow-lined rocker, he took off his old work boots and noticed a toe or two sticking out of his socks. However, Santa didn’t complain. In fact, to Santa his socks always felt much more comfortable when there was a hole or two.

 When Mrs. Claus returned with his hot chocolate, she found Santa sound asleep. She also noticed Santa’s socks. “Oh dear,” she thought to herself. “Santa mustn’t deliver the Christmas toys with holey socks. There’s still time for me to darn him a new pair.”

She set the cup beside the snoring Santa and hurried to her sewing room.

With the arrival of Christmas Eve, Santa began dressing for his annual world trip. He grabbed his shiny black boots and began to put them on.

“Wait, Santa!” Mrs. Claus exclaimed. “I’ve made you a brand- new pair of woolen socks so your feet won’t get cold as you travel tonight.”

Santa was speechless. How could he refuse such an unexpected gift of thoughtfulness? Little did Mrs. Claus know that Santa preferred to wear his holey, comfy socks over new, itchy ones. But not wanting to disappoint Mrs. Claus, he took off his favorite socks and put on his new, woolen ones.  

           

At the beginning of Santa’s journey, the socks felt good against the cold, night air. However, with the continual stopping, dropping down chimneys, and other places, Santa noticed that his feet were becoming quite warm. In fact, they were HOT! He loosened his bootstraps and aired them out. But with the exposure to the cool, damp air, his feet began to itch. He tried to ignore the itchiness, but it was becoming a nasty distraction.  In fact, his itchy socks were turning jolly Santa into a grumbling grouch.

 Entering a tiny log cabin through a close-fitting window, Santa hobbled to a low-burning fireplace where he found two socks hanging from its mantel. He began putting goodies into the socks, but just as quickly as he filled the socks, the toys and candy fell onto the floor. Taking a closer look at the two socks, he discovered several holes in them.

 Suddenly, Santa had an idea. He found a chair, took off his boots and replaced his socks with the holey ones. He tied his bootstraps and stood straight once again. A smile broke across his face. “Oh, my, what relief,” he sighed.

He placed his new woolen socks filled with Christmas gifts upon the fireplace mantel. He knew that once he explained what he had done with his new socks, Mrs. Claus would understand. Hopefully, the children he left them with would understand too.

  

Homesick

                                                        

                                                         “Sometimes I grow homesick for heaven

                                                                 And the glories I there shall behold;

                                                        What a joy that will be when my Savior I see

                                                                   In that beautiful city of gold!”  - - Anon

               That phrase, “homesick for heaven”, struck me as I realized that at times, I, too, experience a homesickness for Heaven.  After all, Heaven is our eternal/everlasting home.  We are here on earth temporarily; earth is not our permanent home. As written in Hebrews 11:13 – 16, “These [referring to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Sarah] all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. “ 

               As a child I remember being homesick while staying a few days with relatives.  Coming home after a visit felt secure and comfortable because I was in the presence of my mom and dad again, and yes, even my older brother J  Being reunited with my earthly toys also brought me joy.  But now, as a grown-up, I long for that same sense of security, comfort and love that awaits me in Heaven.  Plus, I get to see Jesus face to face first off and then my earthly believing family and friends. But, you know, there’s even more to look forward to in Heaven.

               “Perhaps one of the reasons that we are given eternal life is that we will need an eternity to get to know all of the people to whom we are related by grace.”  Pastor Jon Anderson      Think about it!!  All people who have been saved by grace will be inhabitants of Heaven.  Beginning with Adam and Eve, there are going to be lots and lots of people to visit. Won’t it be amazing to meet the Biblical people…to be able to talk to your favorite ones?  I look forward to meeting Sarah, Queen Esther, Ruth, Deborah, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and other women who lived throughout Bible history.  Of course, the men stand out too: Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, the 12 disciples, Paul and Timothy.  So much knowledge to reap from these men and women. 

               But not only will it be exciting to encounter the Biblical people, it will also be grand to run into other historical, Christian men and women as well.  However, the people that I want most to be spending eternity with are my believing family members and all my personal brothers and sisters in Christ.  Separation, loneliness and sadness will be replaced with unity, togetherness and joy!!  Our new home will be beyond description, prepared by Jesus Himself. (John 14:2)  Homesickness will be non-existent because we will finally be home!!!

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”  Phil. 3:20-21

Full Circle

The following piece demonstrates the role that prayer played in bringing God’s Word to a Bibleless peoples group.  Never doubt the power of prayer even when years may pass before its results are seen.

At this time I want to thank Misriani Balle for assisting me in writing this post.  Together with the Holy Spirit’s help we created “our” story.

            In 1991 one of our friends who had begun working for Wycliffe Bible Translators spoke at our church.  He told about the Bibleless Peoples Prayer Project which involved praying for missionaries who were trained to be sent to groups of people throughout the world to translate the Bible in their native languages.  I had never given much thought to the fact that many language groups did not have Bibles.  In the United States as well as in other nations, the Bible (often taken for granted) was common in most households, so this new information of a need for Bible translators stirred my heart. I felt it most important for people of all civilizations to have the availability to read God’s Word.   After all, His Word is for everyone!

            When I was in college, I pursued a position of teaching English in a foreign country with hopes of becoming a missionary, but God led me down a different path.  However, the desire to serve God in the mission field never entirely left my soul.  Consequently, when I heard about the Bibleless Peoples Prayer Project, I wanted to learn more.  After further questions and answers from our friend, I felt the Spirit urging me to become a prayer partner.  Prayer partners would be assigned a Bibleless Peoples group, and our part of the program was to pray specifically for translators and their needs.

            Several weeks after I had signed up for the program, I received information to pray for a group in Indonesia.  At the time, this group did not have a translator so I began praying for someone to commit to the task ahead.  My desire for this person or persons grew stronger as I prayed.

            Throughout my faith journey, the Bible has been my life source. Hearing the stories read to me by my mom at home and again at Sunday school was the first step.  When I turned 13, I received my own, white Bible with my name on it. I began reading it for myself. As I read the words, new and fresh insights were revealed.  I felt drawn to its truths and it became a valuable resource for me.  In fact, it was a treasured gift.  Consequently, I wanted this special group of people to have the same opportunity I had had…a Bible to read in their own language so they could know God in a more personal way.

            As time passed, I was kept informed of the progress of this particular group.  I must admit I failed to pray consistently, especially when challenges in my own life surfaced.  BUT God kept me on track by sending reminders and encouraging updates of my Bibleless peoples group from Wycliffe.  Then, in June of 1998, I received a post card informing me that translators had been assigned.  I was overjoyed and very thankful to God for opening doors for this language group in Indonesia.  Once the translators began, I was sent a list of suggestions with which to pray.  I immediately began to pray for the translators’ abilities to work together and to communicate openly…to be trusting and respectful to each other.  In 2001 one of the four members in the team got very ill and passed away. Then, in 2003 a missionary for Helong, the language group I had been praying for, found a new member on an island called Semau in Eastern Indonesia. I found out later that this new member was Misriani Balle. As my association with the Helong project continued, I prayed that the translation would be accurate, precise, and easily understood.  I also prayed for the Helong people. I wanted them to be receptive of the translation and to recognize as well as to learn about God’s love for them through His Word.

            Several years then passed. It was during these years that I felt the Spirit nudging me to inquire about communicating with a translator.  I prayed about it and contacted a Wycliffe representative via email.  She replied by giving me Misriani Balle’s email address.  SO I emailed Misriani and introduced myself.  God connected us immediately and our long distance friendship began.

            Being in contact with Mis enabled me to follow the team’s progress as they translated the New Testament and Genesis into the Helong language.  Mis and I exchanged emails regularly.  She kept me updated on the project through the following years, and in 2011, the translation was completed.  At that time, Wycliffe sent me a notice of the completion with a picture of the Helong Translation Team and that was when I first saw Mis.  My heart jumped for joy as her smile shined with the love of Jesus.  Continual prayer from 1991 to 2011 brought SUCCESS!!!  Time is not a factor when it comes to God’s timing!!!  

            Once the translation was finished, it was then sent to be printed. And on May 29, 2012, the Helong New Testament was dedicated on Semau Island, Indonesia and distributed to the excited and anxious Helong people.  It was a festive occasion with all praise and glory going to God.  Thanks to Mis I was able to share in this awesome celebration even though separated by distance.

            Before the dedication service, Mis sent me an email message that I want to share.

“Talking about favourite verses in the Bible, I used to love one the most: NRSV Matthew 6:33 but strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Now I almost love each verses in the Bible since they are in my Helong language and directly talking to my heart. They are just so clear and close to my heart and understanding.

I pray that the Holy Spirit works in the Helong people hearts and leads them to meet Jesus themselves through this Bible that had been translated into Helong.

Oh sister, it’s hard to express my feeling. I am so overwhelmed and looking forward to the launch especially seeing people holding the Bible as their own, reading it and meeting Jesus themselves.”

Her message brought smiles to my eyes, joy to my heart, and Praise to God, our Father. Her prayer was as mine…for the Helong peoples group to meet and to draw close to Jesus through His Word in their native language!  What a tremendous answer to prayer!!!

            Even though the translation of the Helong New Testament was finished for Mis, she and I continued our “sister” relationship.  We both agreed to pray for each other and to keep in touch via email and eventually face book. Then, in 2016 good news came when Mis informed me that her brother and sister-in-law were now living in Colorado. She had hoped to visit them some day and that we might meet in person.  We both prayed about our meeting and left it in God’s Hands.

            Early in 2017 I heard from Mis that she was going to apply for a visa to visit the United States. Her brother and sister-in-law had had a baby girl and of course, “Auntie” Mis wanted to meet her niece. She was thrilled at the possibility of coming to the states not only to see her niece but to see me as well. I was in disbelief at first, but joy overcame my disbelief as I thanked God, knowing He was responsible for this unexpected opportunity.

            When Mis arrived in Colorado, she contacted me and working around our schedules, we arranged both a date and a location to meet. As a result, our meeting face to face would take place on the second Sunday in October at Limon, Colorado.  Since my husband had a previous engagement, I drove myself and as normal, I arrived early J  While I waited, I thanked God for this event. When I began praying for the Helong Bibleless group, I had no idea that this commitment would run a full circle.  What an amazing journey, but the journey was not quite complete.

            It was shortly after the noon hour when Mis and her brother’s family entered the Flying J truck stop where I awaited.  We immediately recognized each other because we had exchanged photos online.  We greeted each other with hugs and huge smiles. J Both of us stood in awe as our long distance friendship had become “real”.  After further introductions were made, the five of us enjoyed a meal together.

            Before, during, and after our lunch, Mis and I talked non-stop. We had so much to share and to learn more specifically how God had worked in both of our lives during this project.  I discovered that Mis had wrestled with being a translator, but she felt God calling her to undertake this enormous job. She credited my prayers for her decision to undertake this challenging task. I was deeply touched by her words.  I shared how the Spirit had urged me to connect with an on sight translator and eventually we were brought together. She, too, felt gratitude for my commitment.

            We could have talked for hours, but as always there came a time when we had to stop.  Before we parted, we exchanged gifts. And this was where the journey was made complete because lying in my hands was a copy of the Helong New Testament that Mis had placed there.  It had been her brother’s and now it was mine. Tears formed in my eyes. Of course, I couldn’t read the Helong language but I didn’t need too. I knew what it said! Praise God!!!

            It was hard to say “goodbye” for both of us. But we were tremendously blessed by God for giving us this time together.  God had completed His plan to have His Word in a language that the Helong people could read. They could now discover the great treasure of God’s word as I had many years ago. Through the continual activity of the Holy Spirit within us, Mis, the other translators, and I were God’s instruments in accomplishing His work. What a humbling experience for me. Sometimes it’s hard to find words to describe one’s emotions, and this is one of those times for me.

            May God’s work of Bible translation continue to all people’s groups, large or small. And may willing and dedicated individuals step in faith and trust to do this amazing and fulfilling work, not only in the field but in the quiet room of prayer.  TO GOD BE THE GLORY !!  Amen

“I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.”  Psalm 119: 162

“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” I Thessalonians 2:13

A Personal Hurricane

             While hurricanes Harvey and Irma were leaving their marks upon Texas and Florida, a malfunction in our refrigerator left a mess in our kitchen.  Our incident by no means could compare to the destruction those hurricanes caused, but what struck me was how God took care of our minimal crisis in the midst of the gigantic ones.

              Upon arriving home from a weekend stay with our daughter, discovering the puddle of melted, chocolate-chip mint ice cream in front of the frig was our first clue that a problem existed. My husband immediately found materials to clean up the ice cream while I sorted and tossed all the defrosted food.  Fortunately, in our recent move we had decided to keep our own frig and had placed it in the back entry room to the house so I transferred some non-perishable items to it.

               After our unexpected clean-up job, we drove to town to buy a few essential items to put into our standby frig.  Since it was the Labor Day holiday, we found many of the items we needed as well as other food products on sale.  I smiled and quietly thanked God for these bargains.

               Then, on Labor Day we drove to a different, larger city to shop for a refrigerator.  As it turned out, refrigerators were also on sale.  After checking at several appliance businesses, we found an affordable one that would fulfill our needs. Again, God provided.

               Observing God’s Hand through this incident, I was once again reminded of His gentle, loving care.  No matter the size of the circumstance or situation (hurricane – broken refrigerator) He is there to help us before, during, and after the event. He looks after us even when we fail to ask Him for help.  To me that’s a very special Father.

“Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”  Psalm 55:22

Forgotten Treasures

               Recently, my husband and I moved to a new location after 28 years at our second country home.  In the process of sorting, packing, discarding and recycling, I found all kinds of forgotten treasures.

               Some of them went back to my childhood days when pictures of my school classmates stared at me from an old cigar box.  I had to smile when I ran across a picture of my third grade teacher who was my inspiration for becoming a teacher. More pictures of friends as well as family were uncovered.  In fact, discovering all these forgotten pictures detained me from my packing chores. J

               As I sorted through another box of keepsakes, other items of interest caught my attention.   Letters from the past lay dormant in a snuggly-fit stack:  one from my brother when he was serving in Vietnam; another from my husband when we were dating; one from my dad (and the only one) when I was in college. More remembrances emerged from that box, such as unique birthday cards, both boughten and homemade, cards/notes from family and friends who have passed away, and of course, those carefully prepared cards that only my children could have created. Tears crept into my eyes as memories overwhelmed me.  And then, just when I thought I was ready to move on with more discarding and packing, what should I stumble upon but yearbooks.

               Yearbooks halted my progress once again.  In my school days, yearbooks or annuals were only distributed in high school, unlike today when every level of education receives yearly ones.  Of course, flipping through those four years of my high school era brought chuckles and fond flashbacks as I read the various comments my classmates had written.  I must confess, however, that some of the adventures that were penned had faded from my memory…hmm?? J

               By experiencing this packing process and by re-discovering forgotten items, I caught a glimpse of my past…my life’s history, sort to speak. This awareness made me realize the importance of life and how quickly it passes. But I also came up with another realization. There’s another life importance to me and it lies in my spiritual walk with God.  Just as hidden treasures exist in boxes of belongings so do treasures lie within God’s Word, His written communication to each and every one of us.

               In my hurried life I sometimes forget I have His source to guide, to instruct, to encourage, and to comfort me. In fact, one such jewel spoke to me as my husband and I were deciding our next step after selling our farm land. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”  Psalm 32:8.  And guide us, He did. 

               Another verse hiding in one of the books of the Minor Prophets captured my attention. “The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.”  Habakkuk 3:19.  Even when I am weak and ready to stop the packing and unpacking process, not only in moving but in life’s daily struggles, God will provide me with strength and energy to endure and to finish.

               Finally, the priceless gem that drew me even closer to my Heavenly Father was found in the words from Psalm 36:7, “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!  Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.”  I am protected by a Father who loves me and whom I can trust. I consider that a HUGE treasure to hold onto and well worth searching for!

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

Another Dime Incident

Many of you who read my blog know how I collect dimes (“Dimes and Hearts”), and I have come to identify dimes, especially those I unexpectedly find lying on the ground or pavement or wherever to be my reminder of God’s Presence.  Well, my friends, I have another “Dime” story to shareJ

              

It has been a custom in my family to commemorate our departed loved ones by placing flowers on their gravesites over the Memorial Day weekend.  As long as I can remember, Memorial Day was a very important holiday for my family.  Perhaps it was because my dad’s parents had died in their 40s, and my mom’s dad had passed away in his 50s that made remembering them on Memorial Day a special occasion.  Or maybe it was because my Grandmother Phares (my mom’s family) along with my aunts and uncles planned family reunions on that day.  Of course, the reasons don’t matter how or why the custom began. It did, so now as long as I am able, I want to continue it. So…

On Memorial Day 2017 my husband and I drove to my hometown of WaKeeney where we met my Cousin Julie.  This was the first time that her mom, my Aunt Margaret (Phares) Dietz (“Wise Words”) would be among our relatives to honor.  After lunch we drove to the county cemetery and began distributing our flower arrangements.  Our first stop was at the Dietz family gravesites (my dad’s family).  My Grandpa Dietz had foresight to purchase several plots in one area. As a result, all five Dietz brothers with their wives lay near to their parents. Having them all in close vicinity to each other made it convenient in placing the flowers.  When we had finished decorating the graves, we stood with respect and admiration as we shared a few special family memories before heading to our second stop.

The graves of my mom’s family were next on our list.  My mom’s family also claimed WaKeeney as its hometown.  Even though six of my mom’s siblings had relocated through the years, one of her brothers and one of her sisters had bought plots beside their parents. Consequently, we placed more flowers upon their gravesites and once again reminisced.

Ready to proceed to our final destination, we climbed into the car and drove next door to the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery. Several years ago WaKeeney was chosen to be the site of this special cemetery. Since its completion, it had become the final resting place for veterans of all military branches. Included among these servicemen and women were two friends of my family that I wanted to remember with flowers. Once we left the car, we couldn’t help but be in awe of the rows of identical, white tombstones representing our fallen military men and women.  It was quite a solemn sight.

 We found the first friend’s gravesite rather quickly, but it took some searching before we found the other one.  When I discovered it, I knelt to place the bouquet of flowers AND what should be staring up at me in the short-cut grass but a bright, heads-up, shiny DIME!!  I couldn’t believe it.  I looked at Julie and she saw it too.  My heart pounded because I knew God had dropped it there for us. And His timing was PERFECT because this was our last flower placement.  He was reassuring us of His Presence! This Memorial Day held mixed emotions for Julie as well as for me because of this being her mom’s, my Aunt Margaret’s, first year in the cemetery.  And the first time of placing flowers on a loved one’s gravesite is the hardest. But God, our Father, showed His love and tenderness by reminding us that everything will be okay. He is and always will be with us no matter what life experiences we are facing. He is our constant care provider.  I picked up the dime and placed it in my pocket. A sense of peace came over me and I silently thanked Him for His surprise in the grass.

When we left the Veterans' Cemetery, we drove down WaKeeney’s memory lane.  For Julie, this had become a closure for her.  In years past, Memorial Day had always been a big annual event for our family.  Now, our older generation is gone and WaKeeney is no longer our meeting place. However, no matter where our lives may take us, we have some of the best memories as a family in that small, rural town. And someday our family will be together again in a larger, eternal home!!

”The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

I'm Hungry

               A couple of weeks ago while I was taking care of Nora and Evalyn, two of my granddaughters, Evalyn, who is two, approached me in the kitchen. “I’m hungry, Grandma. I’m hungry,” she said. I checked the clock to discover it was indeed time for an afternoon snack. In fact, I joined her and Nora for a brief break as we watched the Disney movie, Finding Dory.  When we finished our snack, Nora and Evalyn continued to watch the movie while I returned to the kitchen to create a casserole for supper.

               I hadn’t been in the kitchen ten minutes when I heard tiny steps draw near behind me. “I’m hungry, Grandma.” 

               I looked at Evalyn. “You’re still hungry?”

               She nodded her head, “Uh huh.” Now who could resist that sweet face??                                 

Since the first snack consisted of a fun-size packet of teddy grahams, I cut up half an apple for her.  However, it hadn’t been but twenty minutes or so when Evalyn approached a third time.  Still hungry!!

               I asked Nora who was happily playing with a set of old-fashioned glamour gals if Evalyn was always this hungry at home.  Nora smiled and said she was, but at home her requests were often ignored, especially after her first snack. I thought that was probably the case. BUT, this Grandma gave in and Evalyn enjoyed a third snack, a small cup of cheese puffs.  Yes, I’m a “sucker” when it comes to my grandkids J

               Several days later as I was remembering the grandkids’ visit, I thought of Evalyn and her hunger for snacks. I was reminded of another kind of hunger…a spiritual hunger. Just as Evalyn sought me to satisfy her hunger with a snack so can I seek my Heavenly Father to satisfy my hunger. When I find my faith wavering and growing weak or when I’m depressed and doubting myself and others, I realize I need nourishment. So….I approach my Father by talking to Him, sometimes out loud and other times in silence.  As I express my concerns, my worries, my failings as well as my joys and blessings, I begin to be filled with His assurance and hope.  However, if I’m still not satisfied (still hungry), I turn to the pages of His Holy Word which not only reveal new insights and answers but also provide comfort and confidence. These help in subsiding my hunger pains, but then…like Evalyn, I’m still hungry…so…God in His patience, kindness and goodness leads me to other Christian materials as well as to trustworthy Christian friends who bring me encouragement.

               Now, with all these spiritual “foods” to satisfy my spiritual hunger, my craving subsides but is never complete because my hunger for God’s Son, Jesus, never stops.  That’s the way it is with a personal relationship with Jesus. The more I have and receive from Him, the more I want of Him. Like a Grandmother who responds to the wants of her grandchildren, Jesus fills the emptiness of all who hunger.

“And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.’”  John 6:35

Smoke Below

               In August of 2015 Larry and I took a trip to Oregon to visit our oldest daughter. As our plane flew from Denver to Seattle, I noticed that the usual scenic view below was not as clear as on other trips.  Of course, weather conditions always played a factor, but this time the atmosphere was different.  The further west we travelled, the less landscape we could see.  Then, it suddenly dawned on me.  Our view was obstructed by smoke from the fires that had invaded the states of Washington and Oregon.  In fact, when I looked from the plane’s window, I saw fire lines and smoke rising as the lines stretched across the land.  It was a concerning sight, to say the least.

               When we arrived in Eugene, we had distanced ourselves from the devastating fire lines, but hazy conditions from the smoke had settled over the city.  Our daughter commented that warnings of unhealthy air quality had been issued off and on since the fires began.  This kind of health warning was relatively new to Larry and me since the quality of air in Western Kansas was seldom questioned.  However, if it were, ours would probably be a warning dealing with dust rather than smoke.  Throughout our stay, the haze remained.  Consequently, much of our sightseeing ventures weren’t as breathtaking as if the atmosphere would have been clearer.

               The wildfires of Washington and Oregon continued for several more weeks. In fact, the 2015 wildfire season was the largest in the state of Washington’s history.  Having witnessed a small portion of this historical event later brought some thoughts to mind.  Just as the smoke from the wildfires prevented us from enjoying the beauty of the landscape so does sin prevent us from enjoying a close fellowship with God, our Heavenly Father.

               Those wildfires in Washington were ignited by something, whether it was a single match or a campfire or an act of nature. Likewise, sin begins with a temptation, whether it is by thought, by word or by action.  Once the temptation takes hold, the flame is lit and spreads its influence throughout all areas of a person’s life.  No matter whether a person is a Christian or not, sin corrupts us all. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)  However, when the Washington wildfires were finally contained and the smoke began to clear, the landscape soon became visible from the air.  Despite the destructive force of the fire, with the clearing came new growth along with new beginnings, although both would take time to heal.  Such as it is with our fellowship with God.

               Sin separates us from our communion with God, our Father. But once we come to our senses, we can find ourselves back to Him.  How?  By admitting our sins to Him.   As King David of the Old Testament admits to us in Psalm 32:5, “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah” Also, another verse in the New Testament from I John confirms King David’s testimony.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9

               I know from personal experience that when I have turned my back away from Jesus, I have felt guilt, stress, and shame. BUT as soon as I apologize and admit my wrongdoings, I feel a freshness of life and my fellowship with Jesus returns even closer than it was before. The smoke has cleared.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Christmas Memories

              Some of the most cherished Christmas memories I hold snugly in my heart center around the kitchen where my mom and my grandma would prepare trays filled with an assortment of homemade cookies and candies to be delivered to family and friends.  For several days a variety of sweet-smelling aromas filtered throughout our house.  At times the temptation to sample the once a year delicacies was too much so I would snitch a Christmas tree sugar cookie or a piece of divinity.  Yes, I was usually caught but kindly forgiven.  However, once the trays were completed for delivery, our family enjoyed the leftovers. J

               But it wasn’t until Mom asked me to go with her to deliver the trays that I discovered the true meaning of giving.  The look on the recipients’ faces when Mom handed them a tray and their words of gratitude brought joy to my heart. Something inside me transformed as I witnessed the Spirit of Jesus in action. It was thrilling to be a part of this Christmas gift.

               Another special memory of mine took place at the annual children’s Christmas Eve program at our church.  I was cast as Mary from the Christmas story.  Being a second or third grader ( I don’t recall which one), I was excited to play the part of Mary. There were no speaking parts, just action.  I remember walking down the aisle with Joseph beside me and taking our places around a wooden manger in front of the altar.  As the narrator told the familiar story with the coming and going of angels, shepherds and wise men, I felt honored to be portraying Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Even now after all these years, the scene remains vivid in my memory and warms my soul.

               Of course, included in my Christmas memories were the gathering of family and the exchanging of gifts.  One special gift that surpassed all others was the arrival of a puppy that welcomed me with whimpering and licks of love as he leaped from a decorated box lying under the tree. I was so surprised and thrilled that I called him “Happy.”  Happy, part Chihuahua and terrier, became my best buddy through my junior and senior high school years.  His devotion and affection brought me joy, comfort, and unconditional love, characteristics of Jesus who entered our lives at Christmas.

               And because of Christ’s arrival, my Christmas memories wouldn’t be complete without those simple but significant Christmas Eve candlelight services.  In my home church the children’s Christmas program was held on Christmas Eve at 6:30 and then at 11 o’clock, the candlelight service began. As I grew older, I came to understand the candlelight service with a deeper spiritual appreciation. The special music, the Christmas hymns, the message of Christmas, the lighting of the candles, and the silence upon departure drew me closer to the heart of Jesus, who was born for me and for the entire world.

               Since our home was only a block from the church, my family would often walk the short distance, weather permitting. I remember one night in particular when I walked ahead of everyone else. The stillness of the night surrounded me while the cold, crisp air refreshed me.  I looked up and what seemed like thousands of bright, glittering stars covered the ebony sky. It was breathtaking!!  When I turned the corner toward our house, I imagined what the shepherds must have felt as the angels appeared with the announcement of our Savior’s birth.  Truly, the ultimate GIFT!!

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’”  Luke 2: 13-14