So, it’s my birthday today…  well by the time you read this it will be yesterday… but for right now – the celebration is ongoing.  My husband has spoiled me this weekend with jewelry, some clothes, a trip to Atlanta on Friday that included lunch at Maggiano’s and a very large piece of cheese cake.  He did piles  of laundry and the biggest surprise of all – a new Emile Henry pie plate.  Its green and white porcelain.  I am in love.

Its really about pumpkin and pecan and coconut cream, just to name a few.  This was a gift filled with expectations.  There ARE strings attached to my birthday pie plate.

Not long from now we will take part in the biggest birthday celebration known to mankind.  Its the birthday of Jesus.  He came as a tiny baby, God’s gift to us.  But His birth was highly anticipated.  The people of Israel had been waiting and foretelling the arrival of the Messiah for many, many years.  Certainly there were expectations.

Not many understood His destiny, but He knew his life would be required.  It was the greatest gift, given for the whole world.  Through His death, burial and resurrection salvation was provided for all.  Let me be clear on this point:  it is a gift that can not be earned.  There is nothing to be done, other than repent and receive.

Ephesians 2:8&9:  For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves.  Its is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.

Amazing  – this is the present from our Heavenly Father, wrapped in love and tied up with bows of grace and mercy.  But, I’ve been thinking.  It seems that, while it is received by faith, maybe there are some expectations…

Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

When I was a teenager, I remember hearing someone preach, “This is God’s gift for you.  Free of charge.  No strings attached.”  And I don’t really believe that last statement is true anymore.  It is a free gift.  There’s no way to work enough or  to be sinless enough to gain it.  But….  Ephesians 2:10.

Truly, I have to remind my heart daily of this:  His sacrifice on the cross, deserves nothing less than what He desires.   He created me with specific good works in mind that call for sacrificial living.     And how can I really give him anything less?

I can’t.   Oh, its disgraceful how often I offer Him much, much less. But even then, in my selfishness He speaks to my heart.  With lovingkindness He draws me away to a secret place where once again He plants the seeds of good works in my heart.  He gently reminds me of the things that He has called me to do.

The gift of love that He has given me has this expectation:  that I will love Him in return with my whole life.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for celebrating my 35th birthday with me today, reminding me of this beautiful gift You have given. Let me live as an expression of love for you.  amen.

Over the summer I had a membership to the YMCA.  It was a really great experience because I met a trainer there.  This particular trainer helped me to plan great work outs and  started me down the road to fitness.  I loved it.  Except for one thing.

There was one exercise in particular that I loathed.  It was with weights – and it killed me.  every time.  The trainer would push me to my very limit – and if I let my arms down too soon, well – that meant we were doing a lot more.  Of course, as my trainer he was there if I needed help, as my spotter.    The whole thing was so good for me.  I loved it and I hated it.

Our pastor spoke on Sunday about Moses.  We reviewed the story of how he held up the rod during the Israelite’s battle with the Amalekites.   If he lowered the rod, the Israelites would start to lose, but if he kept the rod up, they would continue to win the war.  Eventually he needed help – spotters, if you will to help him hold up his arms.

My every day life at home is like this sometimes.  Combat on the home front is raging.  Day to day expectations for victory are very heavy.  Lifting alone can push me to my limits.  I can’t do it.  I need a spotter.

When I’m in the middle of warfare and I don’t know what my battle plan should be, He does.  Jesus himself intercedes on my behalf before the Father.  When I don’t have the strength or the understanding of what to do next,  when I’m about to let my arms down, He lifts them up.  He continues when I cannot.

from Hebrews:

“24 But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. ²⁵Therefore he is able to save completely^[a] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

²⁶Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.”

from Romans 8:

“26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. ²⁷And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”

How invigorating to know this:  There is someone holding up my arms in the middle of the battle.  I am not alone. I do not have to depend on my own power.  I have a “spotter” who has unending endurance and knows my exact need!  Thank you Lord!

md

It was Thursday afternoon.  My kiddos were spending the afternoon with their grandparents. I had picked up some lunch and I was on my way downtown to teach piano lessons.   This is what  my Thursdays typically looks like.

Often this is my opportunity for a little treat.  If I get everything set up in time, I once in a while will walk down the block for a bit of frozen yogurt.  This particular day was hot and I was looking forward to it;  I had saved back a little cash just for this occasion.

As I pulled into the parking lot of the church where I teach, a woman approached me.  She walked with a limp, her hair was matted, and the few teeth she did have were decaying.  As she came closer, it was apparent that she had not had the privilege of bathing in quite some time.  My initial reaction was to bolt.  I wanted to run away, to pretend that I didn’t see her.  But my feet were glued to the place where I was standing.

She started talking.  Something about she hadn’t eaten in a while and needed some money, could I spare a few dollars so she could buy something to eat?  Now, normally I don’t carry any cash.  ever.  We are a debit card kind of family.  But today – there was ice cream money.  And of course she didn’t know that, but I did.  And He did.

While she continued talking, trying to tell me her situation, I had another conversation. with Him.

“Really, do I have to give my ice cream money to her?  really?”

“Would you give Me your ice cream money?”

“That’s not fair! Of course I would give You the ice cream money.  I love you!”

“You’re supposed to care for her too…  ”

Why was this so hard?  I know the Scripture.  Jesus asked us to share our blessings with those less fortunate.  And when we do that, we are actually caring for Him.  But, it was not sinking in so well here on the street with this woman…I dug in my purse, fished out the three one dollar bills and handed them to her.  She said things like God bless you, thank you and that kind of thing.  I just stood there in a haze and watched her move across the street.

Since then I’ve thought about it a lot.  I’ve wondered what she possibly could have purchased with my three bucks – did she get some water or some packets of crackers from Wal Greens?  Its not like she could go buy drugs or cigarettes with that money – she didn’t have enough…  One thing is certain :  as I stood frozen by my car  in the heat of the day, it seemed as though the noon-time sun was shining down on me, brightly illuminating my selfish, hard heart.

Its so easy for me to embrace the idea that the “least of these”  meant children, or people who are disabled – that kind of thing.  But – a homeless person, a socially undesirable person – surely Jesus didn’t really mean them too? did He?  Yes!  I think He did.

These are His words from Matthew 25:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Dear Lord,

Please give me a new perspective – one that sees You when I see others in need, no matter who they are.   Continue your work in my life so that I have a generous heart.  And thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my ice cream money with you.  I promise, I will do it again when you ask.  amen.

On May 13th, 2009 I bought a pink hippo lovie for Mackenzie. Its a very soft and small blanket that has a hippo on it. I purchased it the day before I went to the hospital for her delivery. That day I had just finished with my longer than usual doctor’s appointment. Dr. White, my OB, had decided then that we would enduce the next day due to serious health concerns. It was three weeks and a day ahead of the due date.

That afternoon, I had an unusual peace as I took a few minutes to myself and window shopped at my favorite little baby store downtown. But, I made the small blanket purchase as a confidence booster : tomorrow I would be holding a tiny little person who would need it.

And, by God’s gracious hand the next day I delivered a beautiful baby girl, Mackenzie Georgia Day. What a gift from God she is in our lives. Whenever I see the little hippo blanket it seems to be a reflection of His goodness in my life.

As I watch the news coverage from Haiti I can’t help but wonder why there is so much goodness in my life? I know that I am truly blessed beyond measure but it is really accented this week whenever I watch the news. Why are the people of Haiti suffering so much – lives destroyed, lost loved ones, homes in shambles? And me, I am here with so much – there isn’t a need that can’t be met, my loved ones are here with me, in my cozy house with a warm dinner in the oven. I struggle to understand God’s grace.

A very simplistic description of God’s grace is “God giving me something I don’t deserve.” I learned that definition when I was young, but I know now that its true of almost everything in my life. I deserve none of it… including His salvation.

Recently I heard someone pray that God would have mercy on the people of Haiti… but today as I think about God and His goodness – I have been praying that He would be gracious. Its my prayer that He would, in love reach down, and be the miracle working God that He is. I have asked God to move barriers so that His people would be able to meet the material needs of the Haitian people. And I have asked that one day they might actually know His love. My prayer is that they will be recipients of His grace, just as I have been.

From Titus 3:

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”

May we who have been shown God’s grace be quick to participate in His work – showing God’s goodness to the people of Haiti. This will be my prayer in the coming weeks, when I’m reminded of His loving kindness in my own life. When I see the pink hippo in my daughter’s crib.

Its that time of year. Christmas – the time of year for gift giving. My lists are made, I have money saved up. I am hopeful my loved ones will enjoy the gifts I’ve picked out, purchased and wrapped. There’s so much pressure to give the perfect gift – A gift that brings joy to the heart of your friend or family member.

I can remember a lot of Christmas gifts from my life time. Some were a result of great sacrifice, many out of love. There’s a particular gift that comes to mind.

Michael and I had been visiting my parents in Michigan for Christmas. We had loaded up our Honda CR-V, buckled Emily into her seat and headed for Chattanooga. As we traveled the highway south the road was packed with holiday traffic. We were approaching a complicated intersection when a large gray pick-up decided for us that we should move to another lane.

We landed on the other side of the interstate after rolling across three lanes of traffic. My baby, Emily was crying hysterically in the back seat. Michael and I, still in one piece had cuts and bruises. The car was resting on its side, so my husband was hanging from his seatbelt until the emergency services rescued us.

Really, I didn’t have a rational thought at that point. Not that I remember. Nothing spiritual or sentimental other than prayers that God would help us. This gift was NOT on my list.

If you had asked me prior to this occasion whether I believe that God is in control, and that He is the giver of all good gifts I would have said yes. That would have been the answer I would give. Its the one I learned from childhood. However, when you’re hanging upside down in a car, its hard to remember. How could God let this happen and ruin my Christmas?

When I was able to think clearly, once the cuts and bruises were healed, I came to a different understanding. You see, after the accident I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God truly was in control and that he had supernaturally kept my family safe through a terrible situation. The more that time passes, when I recall the event, my faith becomes cemented in my heart and mind – its no longer a childhood answer. It is the gift of faith, given directly and intentionally to me from the Heavenly Father.

Recently I heard of a friend who’s infant daughter is facing a life threatening illness. At first I was angry at God. How can you do this to such a precious family, God? What kind of gift is that? And at the holidays. Disgust swept through my heart. But He spoke to me, even in my anger – “The gift is not the illness, my daughter. The gift I want to give them is a deepened faith.”

What I know in my heart of hearts is that following faith is hope, joy and peace. They are just around the corner, waiting to burst onto the scene. It is a gift unlike any other. As you are able to believe that God is who He says he is, there is hope for tomorrow. There is joy unspeakable and He gives peace that is indescribable.

Sometimes His gifts are unexpected. Sometimes they do not seem to be what we asked for. But His gifts are always good. He knows how to give the perfect gift.

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gifts!”

md

(written on December 4, 2009)