JOY to the World!!

This Christmas, I'm powerfully aware of gifts. Gifts I don't deserve. Gifts I've been given...and for which I'll ever be grateful.

1. Memories. What an amazing concept, don't you think? God could have crafted us such that each day, once completed, was gone. Erased. Never to be seen or felt again. Instead, He gave us these amazing minds and spirits that hold fast to what's gone before us. So there, deep in our minds, are images, sounds, fragrances, feelings...and they bless us over and over. Thanks to memories, my mom is still here, with me, every day. Most especially at Christmas. She was the queen of celebrations, and Christmas was her masterpiece. Every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas was filled with little moments of joy and praise, laughter and celebration. She knew how to build anticipation. Big time. And as I think back on my childhood, and even the last few years Mom was with us, I can't help but smile. I can see her eyes glow as we put up and decorated the tree. I can hear her laughter as we came into the house, instructing everyone, "Don't look! I've got gifts here!" I can feel the touch of her soft hand on my cheek, and hear her sweet voice, so full of love, as she tells me how glad she is that I'm her daughter. Oh yes. Memories are a blessing.

2. Family. I know, I know, they can be a pain. But they're part of us. For many, they've made us who we are today. Not just our birth families, but our church families and extended families. Even our close friends who have become like family. Each person God has brought into my life becomes a thread in the fabric of who I am. Even the threads I never would have chosen, those I was sure would ruin the beautiful picture I wanted my life to be. All the threads impact the tapestry of my life, adding shades and tints and depth. And, ultimately, by God's hand, beauty.

3. Emotional connections. This emotional bond God built into us, this ability to connect...it's mind-boggling. That we can become a part of each other, that our hearts can warm and glow at the sight of someone's face or the sound of someone's voice...simply remarkable. I have a couple of friends in Illinois with whom I share that connection. All it takes is the sound of their voices over the phone, the sight of their faces in pictures, even just seeing their names in my e-mail in-box...and my heart smiles. Because no matter the distance in miles or time, that connection is there. Solid. Tested. True. And I'm the better for it.

4. Grace. Of all the gifts God has given us, this one is the most astounding. Humanity has done so much wrong. We've ruined relationships; shattered dreams; broken every command God ever gave us, often with an unholy glee; taken this world God gave us to cherish and all but killed it; forsaken His ways over and over... Almighty God has every right to blot us out of existence. So what does He do?

He opens His arms and heart to us and offers us Grace. Unmerited. Unconditional. Unending.

Love like that...we can't even begin to get our minds around it. But I'm so grateful He offers it. And all He asks in return is that I say Yes. To Him. To His love.

To freedom.

This Christmas, I'm praying you will know that Grace in new and astounding ways. And that your heart and mind will be aware as never before that the gifts He's given us are all around us. Ever new. Ever present.

Ever and always wrapped in love.

Peace to you...

Karen

Craziness Unleashed

It's been a day. No, make that a week. Okay, it's been a month, but let's not quibble. So much has happened--all of it unexpected, much of it negative, most of it stressful. Make that highly stressfu--

Oops, I'm quibbling again, huh? Sorry.

So here's the thing that's been gnawing at the edges of my spirit. Why--when I know God is in control, when I know that I know that I KNOW that He is at work for my good--do I freak out when something turns my day upside down? I mean, sure, I'm human as the next person. And I don't expect perfection out of anyone (not even me. Well...not often...). But it eats away at me that my first reaction to upheaval isn't peace or trust, but something more along the lines of:

"AAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!"

Not terribly trusting, huh? It's not that I doubt God's hand or presence, it's more that I'm just so tired of getting hit. And it's been coming from the left and right and underneath and behind... My chaos is omnidirectional.

So I'm sitting here, knowing I should be deep in the manuscript that I'm editing and struggling to think straight. (Not very encouraging for my author, but I promise, I'm doing a good job. Really!) I just decided I had to step back and get all this--gobbledygook out of my head. The worries over those I love, the frustration at limitations and brokenness, the anger at how unfair life can be, the weariness of trying to keep so many heaped up plates balanced and in motion... On and on it goes, until I even sound like a major whiner to my own ears.

As I thought pondered it, I realized I'm probably not alone. I'm willing to bet a lot of us feel pushed to the edge and beyond, especially this time of year. And then I thought about the people I'd passed in the course of my day today--the thirtyish guy who cut in front of me in traffic, ball cap pulled low on his head, an earring dangling from either ear, an angry set to his jaw; the old man who needed to use a cane in each hand to walk, his steps slow and deliberate, like a toddling child; the young girl with coal black hair, nail polish, and lipstick who had every inch of her personal property pierced, whose striking blue eyes all but radiated pain; the receptionist at the Eye Clinic who had to deal with two frustrated patients before she got to me; the young woman who listened to my frustration over not being able to see through the much-touted progressive lenses for which I'd just forked over $400...

All those floated through my mind, and I realized something. I'd been so engulfed in my own "stuff" today that I didn't really see any of them. Didn't register that they were anything but scenery in MY day. And inside, I wanted to weep.

I closed my self-directed eyes and did, internally, what everyone in Scripture does when God steps into the picture. Fell on my face in the dust. Apologized for missing so many opportunities to see--really SEE--others. To look into their faces and eyes; to acknowledge they not only exist, but matter. I cried out that I don't want to be this person. This woman so focused on her self that she can't see anyone else.

Funny thing, God never condemned. Never scolded. Never joined my chorus of "I'm so bad and vain and stupid." Rather, I felt Holy arms close about me, drawing me to His strong chest. Eternally gentle hands, so full of love and healing, stroked my hair, soothing my spirit. As I leaned into Him, it all fell away. The frustration. The anger. The weariness. The guilt. Slow but certain, gentle silence cloaked me. A whisper of peace caressed my spirit. And when at last I opened my eyes and looked around, I felt it.

Purpose.

To not let another day go by without seeing. Listening. Seeking His face and hearing His voice in those I encounter. To let God tune me to His presence and His call, whether to pray or speak or simply offer a smile.

So I sit here now, fingers to keyboard, acutely aware that God is.

He is.

Present. Powerful. At work. And, most amazing of all, forgiving. And as I glance out my window and see my neighbors playing with their kids, I can't help but smile. Because I'm not just looking.




I see them.

Karen

'Tis the Season

To be sung to the tune of Winter Wonderland


Folly rings, are you listening?
Jesus Christ stores are dissing.
It's okay to say, "Happy Holiday,"
But "Christmas" sudd-en-ly is not allowed.

Folks are rushed, stressed and harried,
Where's the cheer we once carried
Deep in our hearts, good will to impart,
In the wiser days when "Christmas" was allowed?

Seems to me we've lost the heart of Christmas--
It's more than just another holiday!
We've got to find a way back into Christmas,
to see that it's not bad to smile and say:

Merry Christ-mas, God bless you!
Let His peace now unstress you...
The season's a gift that's meant to uplift,
For Jesus Christ was born this holy day!

It's not that hard to rediscover Christmas--
Just get your focus on the tiny One
Who came to bring you joy and restoration,
That little baby, Jesus, God's own Son!

So remem-ber this season
There is no worthy reason
To omit the name of the Baby who came.
So let's hear it:
Merry Christmas, Everyone!