NOW WHAT?

Christmas is over.  Now what?  For many people, this means going back to work.  Back to the office.  Back to the ole grind of day after day after day.

Jesus was born.  The wise men were headed to Bethlehem.  King Herod was about to get very upset.  (Nothing new for him.) Matthew 2:11 says that the wise men saw “the young child with Mary his mother.”  There is no mention of Joseph.  That made me wonder why.  Where was Joseph?

Then it hit me.  Christmas was over.  Joseph was at work.

Can you imagine Joseph’s surprise when he looked up and saw wise men coming into town? There would have been support people with them.  No way were the wise men traveling by themselves.  They were busy looking at maps and stars.  They did not have time for normal things like cooking, setting up and tearing down of tents, and cleaning up behind who knows how many camels.  This would have been a parade through the streets.  People would be staring and following them.  But where were they going?  “Oh my goodness,” Joseph thought.  “They have stopped at our house.  I hope Mary is home and not at the market.”

The wise men worshipped the child, presented him with gifts, and left town.  Joseph had a dream.  By night, he took the young child and his mother and left for Egypt.

They fled to Egypt.  Now what? Joseph went to work.

Herod died and Joseph dreamed.  The family left for the land of Israel.  Joseph had another dream and they came to dwell in the city called Nazareth.

The family arrived in Nazareth.  Now what? Joseph went to work.

Other than when Joseph and Mary headed home from Jerusalem, when Jesus was 12, there is no further mention of Joseph.  Some say Joseph died and that is the reason we do not hear of him during Jesus’ ministry.

What do I think?  Joseph went to work.  He needed to take care of his family.

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I think the same thing about Jesus.  For 30 years he studied and learned.  Then one day, he laid down his carpenter tools, shook his father’s hand, kissed his mommy on the cheek, and said, “It is time for me to go to work.  I must take care of my Father’s family.”

And Jesus went to work.

 

GIFTS

There they stand.  A row of gifts.  They are not under the tree and they are not wrapped fancy.  A broken leg has changed a lot of “traditions” this year.  And that made me think.  What makes Christmas?  There are so many things — things — that are required for us to have a merry Christmas.

That Santa ornament must hang on the tree first.  Four kids and we each had one.  Mine was marked by a piece of tape that had turned yellow.  Even as an adult, that ornament was the first on the tree.  But one year I could not find it.  It was not in the ornament box.  Somewhere, in a move, that one ornament had disappeared.  Maybe it had gotten thrown out.  It was not very big and, wrapped in newspaper; it could have easily been considered trash.  And, just like that, a tradition ended.

Of course, Santa’s gifts were to be seen first.  He knew just what the kids wanted.  Presents from parents and siblings would come later, but first there was the “look at this” and “how did he know” and the “this is just what I wanted.” Our two children got married and moved to their own homes.  Santa did not come anymore.  And, just like that, a tradition ended.

The strange part is that we believe traditions will last a lifetime.  They do not.  We believe traditions must be carried from one generation to the next.  They do not.  We believe traditions cannot change.  They can.

Christmas morning begins with Bill and I getting ready to have breakfast with our daughter’s family.  We have done this for a number of years now and their four boys think we have always come for Christmas breakfast.  They believe it is a tradition.  It is now.  It is a new tradition

Only two children and six grandchildren, but finding a time to get together for Christmas is a challenge.  There is no tradition on this.  (I refuse to play the “you have to be here on __insert date___.”)  We do Christmas when the majority can be here.  This year we are doing it tomorrow — December 23rd — because that is when the grandkids decided to have it.  After the date was set, we told their parents and invited them to join us.  Some of the kids are coming early to play games, to talk, or to look at old pictures.  Some will be here later.  And, hopefully, all will be here for pizza and presents.  A new tradition?  No, but if it happens two years in a row, it will magically become a tradition and how we always did it.

What is required for us to have a Merry Christmas?  Only one thing.  Only one thing — and it does not require us to be surrounded by family or have a big meal or even a Christmas tree.  What is that one thing?  It is very simple.

What is required to have a Merry Christmas?

To BELIEVE

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.  Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  Luke 2:10-12 KJV

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.  Luke 2:21 KJV

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16 KJV

What is required to have a Merry Christmas?

To BELIEVE

MERRY CHRISTMAS,

Mary

THE PUZZLE

Another birthday gift has given me Christmas inspiration.  

Our son gave me an Advent Puzzle.  Each day I open a box and work those pieces. 

I work puzzles all year long, so why is this one worth writing about?  Because this is not about working a puzzle.  It is about a journey and this time I will work the puzzle in sections – each section leading me to the next and the next and the next, until I reach the end. 

I always think my life is a puzzle.  I sure do not know what is happening next and the pieces of my life do not seem to go together in any certain order.  I cannot find the border pieces and it is difficult to tell the real me from the reflection in the water.  AND when I think I am getting this puzzle of me put together, I realize there is a piece missing.  That is the absolute worst! 

A puzzle lays still.  The pieces just waiting to be put together, BUT in real life, not only do the pieces not lay still, the number of pieces seem to increase.  I will almost have a section completed when I meet someone new and they become a part of my life.  My life puzzle gets larger.  Or someone I care about will die and my puzzle will have a hole.  Or my puzzle will take a twist, such as a broken leg, and a whole new section is added.  Or my mind – okay, best if we don’t try to understand my mind.

Does any of this make sense to you?  If you are not a passionate puzzle person, you might not understand my analogy.  Putting together a puzzle is a process and I usually think I have the process figured out.  Life is a process and we often think we have the process figured out.  BUT often God has other plans and that is why a Christmas puzzle is an inspiration.

I think Mary’s life was pretty straight forward.  She was espoused to Joseph and they had all their plans made.  She knew exactly what would happen next.  She would move from her parent’s home into a home with Joseph.  That was the plan – until -- her life instantly became a puzzle and the pieces no longer fit together.  Gabriel, in one visit, placed Mary on an entirely different path -- a path that had never been taken.  The only instructions came when Gabriel told Mary, “No word from God will ever fail.”  With that she found puzzle piece number one:  TRUST.

After that, Mary found many pieces for the puzzling road ahead of her.  Elizabeth proclaimed “blessed is the child you will bear” and her “baby leaped in her womb.”  Mary’s second puzzle piece was AFFIRMATION.  Mary received two puzzle pieces from Joseph.  Joseph showed Mary great RESPECT when he decided to not expose Mary to public disgrace.  He also gave her SUPPORT after the angel commanded him to take Mary as his wife.

You see, the pieces we need to complete our life puzzle come from many, many sources:  Our family, friends, and church.  Our experiences and strangers.  What we see and read.  Life.  Yes, pieces are found everywhere.

AND the puzzle of my life – the puzzle of your life – is surrounded by the secure love of God.

THE ANGEL

Last week I told you that our Nativity was placed where all could see it and this year it had flowers around it.  They are to remind us that Jesus came to be with us spring, summer, fall, and winter…..   no matter what season of life we are in and to remember Jesus will still be here even after the Nativity is put back in the box.

This week I did find inspiration in another decoration.  I received an angel for my birthday and she is just the right size to fit in our dining room window.  The dining room is decorated very simply -- the angel plus some garland, a lamp, and some Christmas globes. 

  

 

I think the angel needs a name — GT.  Yes, I shall call her GT.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”       Luke 2:10 KJV

Now that she has a name, I will continue.  For some reason, maybe it is her size; the angel makes the room feel safe.  As if she is standing guard.  Wait till you see her once she is plugged in.

GT is an infinity light angel and, when plugged in, it is as if she goes on forever. 

I had this blog finished and had made a good point about being plugged into the power of God.  Then I looked closely at this next picture and that point was evident.

Do you see it?  The first angel picture shows how we look to others when we live for earthly things. They see what we have  --- wealth, possessions, family, and health.  They see what we do.  They see a reflection of the world.

BUT – that is not what people are to see in believers.  They should see the power of God.  They should see the hope and joy and peace and love that came to earth one night, when a baby was born, and placed in a manger.  A baby who came to bring the light of God into the world.  Into our souls. 

So this Christmas, plug in those Christmas lights, but first plug yourself into the one power source that will shine through you so brightly that all will see the grace and mercy and forgiveness and eternal life – all will see the light of God.

Next week?  I have already found my inspiration.  That means I will not have to puzzle over an idea.

 

THE 2023 NATIVITY

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas …”  It is looking more like Christmas.  For me that means the Nativity is sitting for all to see.  We have had this set since 1965.  One sheep has a broken leg and the manger has a repaired leg, but I figure that is pretty good considering it has gone through six moves.

Do you think the setup looks a bit unusual?  Are you wondering, “Why would Mary put flowers around the nativity?”  As I began to set the Nativity in its place, I thought the fall garland looked good.  Besides, it already had lights.  It was going to stay.  The Nativity was in place.  The lights were strung.  (Don’t ya love those battery lights?).  The family, shepherd, and wise men were in place.

Then I looked at a box with some flowers to be stored.  Oh, those pink flowers were pretty.  It was then that the idea hit me.  Why not?  Next I placed some white flowers.  Then the sprigs of pine branches.  I stepped back and looked.  Perfect.  The wise men were having a conference because they were lost.  The shepherd was on his knees before a baby.  Mary and Joseph were beside the manger.  Jesus was lying in the manger.

Do I have you wondering yet?  What idea hit me?

The minute I added those pink summer flowers, the white spring flowers, and the pine branches to the fall garland the Nativity was complete.  You see, Jesus did not come just for Christmas.  He did not come for the lights or the singing or the candy or the presents.  He did not come for us to work ourselves into exhaustion getting ready for a one day, birthday celebration.  No! Jesus came for so much more.  Jesus came to be with us spring, summer, fall, and winter…..  no matter what season of life we are in.

Enjoy the decorating.  Enjoy the lights, singing, presents, and the birthday cake, but remember Jesus will still be here even after the Nativity is put back in the box.

I wonder what meaning I might find in other decorations.

Thanks Giving

Although many families will gather at various times over this weekend, Thanksgiving is over. For the first time we did not celebrate with family. Life steps in and traditions are broken. I did think about things I am thankful for. Here is my list:

I am thankful for the gift of hearing. I cherish the sound of a door opening as a loved one comes home. It means they are safe. The sound of the furnace means we will be warm. I love to be a part of a good conversation, but often silence is what my soul needs.

I am thankful for the gift of touch. I love the feel of a hand gently touching my cheek. The warmth, as I hold a hot cup of coffee, is the way to start my day and the sun on my face, as I watch the waves come and go, makes that coffee even better. I love the feel of turning the pages of a book.

I am thankful for the gift of taste. The sweetness of homemade fudge brings back memories. The saltiness of potato chips is perfect when dipped in chocolate ice cream. The first strawberry is a taste to be savored, but barely beats the first, dripping in butter, roasting ear.

I am thankful for the gift of sight. Watching buffalo is something I could do for hours. Being able to see the colors as God paints the sky is a reminder that our Creator thought of everything. I have seen baby calves stand, on wobbly legs, as they nursed for the first time. I have seen our children seconds after they were pushed into the world.

I am thankful for the gift of smell. I love the smell of leaves burning and the air after a summer storm. The aroma of a good ole, bone-in ham makes me hungry. The best smell of all is .. drum roll .. a baby after a bath.

On this Thanksgiving, I am Giving Thanks for the five senses which God blessed me with.

 WINNING THE LOTTERY

Of course I would give some to the children and grandchildren.  Family members and special friends.  I would give to charities.  I would set up a fund to help people who need a hand up: A car to get to work or a new fridge.  Those things most of us take for granted but would make a world of difference in their life.  Finally, since I won $774 million, I would buy a condo in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Have you ever played the “If I Won The Lottery” (IIWTL) game?  We played that game a few weeks ago when the payout was an unbelievable amount.  Hubby spent his half quickly buying farmland, with the goal of finding a way to help young men and women, who could not afford to farm, but had a desire to farm.  I had trouble spending my half: $387 million.  I mean — who thinks in terms of millions?  Even after placing more money on the charity block of the IIWTL board game, I have millions sitting in front of me.  Millions! Even after doubling the cash for charities, family, and friends, there is money sitting in front of me.  Think Mary.  What would you do with $387 million?

Sigh.  We did not win.  IIWTL game is over.

What did I expect?  The odds were 1 in 292,201,338. 

“Mary did you even buy a ticket?”

Hi God.  We bought one. 

“Did you really think you would win?”

No.  Just dreaming of what I could do with that much money.

“How much money do you need?  How much will make you happy?”

Oh God.  The IIWTL is just a game.  The lottery wouldn’t make me happy.  Besides, I have everything I really need. 

“My goodness.  Have you been paying attention when we have conversations?”

Maybe.   I notice you do not have the 2 X 4 with my name on it, so apparently you do not intend to use the “get Mary’s attention” device.

“You are funny.  People are reading this so how do we get them to realize that money will not buy what they need to be happy?”

Well, if you don’t know how to get them to realize that, I don’t have a clue how to do it.  Money is a tool.  A tool we work for and use to get the things we need and the things we want.  I think the problem is that people allow the list of things they want to keep growing.  The list never ends because, when one thing gets marked off, we add another. 

“Of course, you are not guilty of this.”

There is sarcasm in that statement!  Of course, I am guilty of this, but I have learned that the things I really need and want do not require money.  And, when I accepted the gifts of grace, redemption, forgiveness, mercy, and hope, my want list changed. 

“May I see your want list?”

Really?  You know what is on there.  I will show you after I take a few things off.  Let me see.  Nope.  That can go.  This too. 

“Mary.  You keep going over that list.  I’ll be back to check it later.  And when you get to item 27, give it some real thought.  I do believe you can mark it off.”

But God, I really, really want a new computer.  God.  God.  I knew it.  He gives me something to think about and then lets me toss it around and around in my head. 

My computer works.  My computer does everything I need it to do.  My computer… Item #27 on my want list is now deleted. 

——————————————-

How often do you take a look at your want list?  This is not your need list which includes food and shelter and health care and ….  This is the list that makes you think, “If I only had __?__, I would be happy.”  How often do you take things off your want list? How often do you add things to your want list?

Now you have something to think about.  What item would God tell you to mark off?  Toss this around and around in your head.  Would the things on your want list really make you happy or would you find the next thing and the next thing … and never be happy?

 

 WHAT MAKES GOD SMILE AND BE FILLED WITH JOY?

There are many words we use to describe God: Powerful, Wise, Judge, Forgiving.  But I think there are traits we need to add to our lists. Words like smile and grin and laugh. I know. I know. I am applying human traits to an Almighty God, but think about it. 

I asked this question to other people and have used their replies.

WHAT MAKES GOD SMILE?

Does God get a chuckle watching us sit anywhere except the front pew?  Does his grin turn into a full smile when there is a good discussion in Sunday School?  How hard does he laugh when a child asks a teacher, “If Zacchaeus was a wee little man, how did he get up in the tree?”  I bet God laughs at a lot of things that happen in church.

Do you think God smiles when he sees a dad sit still while his daughter puts makeup on him? Or when a mom only watches as her son makes a cake “by myself.”  

Terri read some of the names in Numbers and said, “I am sure God laughs as we try to pronounce them.  It is really hard to keep Elijah and Elisha straight.”

Janet seemed to think, “God would smile when we are so happy when a plan comes together and that is what He had planned all along.”

WHAT FILLS GOD WITH JOY?

Can you imagine the joy God feels when he sees a family pray together?

Brenda believes God would be filled with joy if he saw children coming to the altar and other children surrounding them, laying hands on them, and praying.  I think that would fill all our hearts with joy.

Bill told me that God would find joy in people getting along. 

Jon commented, “People helping others when it was inconvenient for them would make God joyful.”

Janet said the same thing.  “God would be filled with joy when His people are kind, loving and happy doing His work.”

WHAT MAKES GOD SMILE AND BE FILLED WITH JOY?

Actually this is an easy question to answer:  His children do.

This leads to another question, maybe a question that is not so easy to answer:  Are you one of his children?

 JUST ONE

Our son-in-law, Jon, sends me a message almost every day.  A couple weeks ago, he was busy and missed three days.  I asked him where my daily message was! He told our daughter that I had gotten after him.  It is a good relationship when you can give your son-in-law what for.  Anyway, the messages he sends are scriptures and often includes a question or short comment.

Sometimes I give him a thumbs up.  Sometimes a short comment.  Sometimes a very long comment. Here is our October 31st exchange:

FROM JON:  “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.”

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

MY REPLY:  But I am not righteous like Noah and Lot.  I sin.  I make mistakes.  I, at times, am anything but righteous.  My prayers are selfish.  I can never be good enough for God to save me from a flood or fire and I fear what is happening in our world.  I am lost.  I will drown or burn.  I will be destroyed.  I will fall way short of the Glory of God.  I will grieve God (It stabs my heart every time I think that I grieve God.).  I say no to God’s plan and want God to approve my plan.  I am lost!

I sent that, waited and moment, and then continued:  EXCEPT, God knit me in my mother’s womb and has led me to the one place I realize I am not lost.  He led me to the Cross.  He saved Noah out of a flood.  He saved Lot out of a fire.  He saved Rahab out of the destruction of Jericho.  And he has saved me from death to eternal life.  He saved me by sending His Son.  I am not lost.  I am saved.

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I did have to get after Jon about sending the message at the extremely early hour of 5:30 AM.    Like a good son-in-law, he now waits until 6:30 - 7:00 AM.  Bless his heart.  

Jon sends these scriptures to a number of people and I do not know how many respond.  It really doesn’t matter.  Jon does his part.  He is spreading the Word.  Sorta like my blog.  I put it out there and if it helps one person, that is all that matters.  

If each of us helped one person to Christ, think how the world would change.

 A NEW CHAIR

There are people who will shop and shop and shop for new furniture.  Oh the joy of a new chair.  Or table.  Or couch.  Or even a new pillow.  I am not one of those people.  I am not a shopper.  Notice the period after shopper.  I have never been a shopper, except in a fabric store or book store. Nope, once I find the furniture I want it stays where I put it.  No moving the couch across the room.  No moving the table under the window.  And yet, I have a new chair and it does not stay put.

Because of being over confident and not paying attention, this week I landed on the ground when I tried to get in the car.  I was putting one foot up and it was then that the other foot found the wet leaves.  This is not a good combination. Now that a few days have passed, you have my permission to laugh at the image of my being upright one moment and flat on the ground the next. What does this have to do with a chair?

The chair has wheels.  I have to stay off my right leg (broken bone) and my hubby is pushing me to various locations in our home.  Poor guy!  “Would you please get me a drink?”  Or a lot of other items I might require.  “I would like to sit in the other chair.”  This means getting up, getting in the wheelchair, and being pushed across the room.  “I need to go to the bathroom.”  And this is where the challenge comes in.  Our home was not built to accommodate a wheelchair.  Even with the door off (There are now three doors not hanging on their hinges.), the chair barely fits through the bathroom door.  And I wish the person that designed the nice little entry into the bedroom had to try and maneuver the chair around that jog.  Bill gets me where I need to be and he has done this with great patience.

I have learned many things.  It is hard to stand up and not put pressure on my leg.  It is hard to move around to get in and out of a wheelchair on one leg.  It is hard to get into bed with the boot on.  And I cannot get to my computer.  I now have a new understanding of what life is like for anyone who has to use a wheelchair and has limited mobility.  

I have been guilty of observing a person’s medical needs without stopping to think what those needs require.  I will no longer look at a wheelchair as a convenience that got me through the airport.  I will look deeper to see the struggle.  

Even though I have had many health issues, I have always been able to do many things myself.  I never imagined how hard it would be to ask Bill for everything I need.  Remember these words from a song:  Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.  I have always known I wasn’t perfect, but I now know I am humble.  I learned humility the instant I had to say, “I need to go to the bathroom.”

OPENING AND CLOSING A DOOR

Have you ever thought about the number of times you open a door in one day?  It took opening/closing ten doors just to go get my driver’s license renewed.  I cannot imagine what that number would be if I counted all day.  Cabinet, bathroom, closet, appliances, and car doors.  Doors when I go shopping.  The front and back doors, of the house.  The garage door.  That is a lot of doors!

Opening a door is simple.  You put your hand on the door knob and turn it.  Then out or in you go.  Simple unless the door is one of the tricky ones.  Do you push or do you pull?  Sometimes you have to look for the door, because it is hidden in the wall.  The big thing now is barn type doors on rollers.  All through life we are opening and closing doors.

OPENING AND CLOSING A DOOR – BUT WHICH DOOR?

I remember watching “Let’s Make A Deal.”  The contestant had to make a choice between Door 1, Door 2, or Door 3.  They couldn’t see what was behind the doors, but usually one door contained a joke prize.  Zero value.  How to decide?  The doors were all pretty colors and sometimes decorated with ribbons and bows.  Choices.  Choices.  Choices.

In life, opening or closing a door often requires making a choice.  Choices are not always easy and some do not turn out so great. 

Eglon made a choice to send his attendants away and to stay in a room with Ehud.  Later the servants found the doors locked so they waited and waited and … finally unlocked the doors.  Oh my.  Oh my.  The king of Moab lay on the floor dead.  (Taken from Judges 3:19-25)

Guess he should not have chosen to close those doors.  Our choices are influenced by what voice we listen to and too often we are not able to hear the voice of Jesus because we listen to Satan.  We listen to the devil who has no truth in him.  “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”  part of John 8:44  Maybe we are blinded by the light of Satan when he masquerades as an angel of light.  2 Corinthians 11:14

In life, opening or closing a door often requires making a choice.  Sometimes those choices are spot on.

At the ripe age of twenty-five years old, Hezekiah became king and it says right there that “he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.”  My goodness!  No question about it.  He would have won the big prize on Let’s Make A Deal.  Not wasting any time, he opened the doors of the temple of the LORD and repaired them.  Then he made others get their act together.  He told them to remove all (not just some) defilement from the sanctuary and told them to roll up the sleeves of their garments and get to it.  So the service of the temple of the LORD was reestablished.  (Taken from 2 Chronicles 29)

Hezekiah made the correct choice and opened the right door.  “This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God.  In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly.  And so he prospered.    2 Chronicles 31:20-21

OPENING AND CLOSING A DOOR – BUT WHICH DOOR?

In life, opening or closing a door often requires making a choice.  Do you want to hear, “Were you born in a barn?” or “If you open it, you close it.”  Very simple.  Close the door.  Other times, we listen to the liar.  Your mother asks, “Are adults going to be at the party?” and “Yes.” comes out of our mouths when we know the answer is no.  Sometimes, well sometimes,

we open a door and …… there stands a Shepherd.

Jesus answered,

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

John 10:27

“Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock. 

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,

I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Revelation 3:20

Would you recognize the Shepherd’s voice?  Would you throw the door open …. or … would you listen to the liar and stand there staring at a closed door?

OUR CHILDREN

Unlike my Facebook page, my blog is rarely political, but this week my soul will not be quiet.  As hard as I have tried to not write this, I must.  

I am not a prophet, but sometimes I can understand how the prophets in the Bible felt. I post often on Facebook and it seems as if I am speaking to the wind.  Things I see so clearly, as a threat to the very foundation of our country, others shrug off.  Why can’t I just shake my head and continue on to the next post which is funny or sweet?  Why can’t I just stop posting when I know people go, “Oh, Mary is on a rant again.”  I hold my faith above all.  My family after that.  My country next.  And through each of these I value children.  I have taught children’s Sunday School, led a Brownie Troop, worked with a Kid’s Club, and advocated for children through CASA.  But now my heart breaks for our children and as I listen to the news of the beheading of children in Israel, the tears cannot be held back.  Children are no longer valued.  They are now a political commodity to be killed and mutilated.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: And the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Psalm 127:3 KJV

How did this country – this world – get to the place where babies can be aborted up to the time of birth?  An unborn child has such little value that one breath means the difference between death and life.  The fruit of the womb is no longer a reward.  This heritage of the LORD has become something to toss in the trash.  And my heart breaks.

There are voices being heard in support of the actions of Hamas.  The killing of children -- The raping of women -- The murder of men, women, and children is being justified by the terms “right to resist” and they should not be condemned but understood as “a desperate act of self-defense.”  The actions of Hamas have nothing to do with resisting or self-defense.  The actions of Hamas are pure evil.  Life has no value.  Life is now political, to be discussed in the halls of political power, universities, and on the street.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27  NIV

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

Psalm 139:13-14  NIV

I believe in the 27th verse of Genesis 1.  God created them; male and female.  I also believe in the 13th and 14th verses of Psalm 139.  Each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made.  And yet, based upon flawed studies, now called scientific fact, we are allowing our children to become sexual objects.  Our children, our very young children are now being taught they can be any gender they want and are encouraged to make decisions as the wise age of 2 or 4 or 6 or ….. years old. And the world is falling in step.  Parents no longer have the right to make medical, emotional, or mental decisions for their children.  They can be imprisoned and have their children taken away if they do not agree with the decision of a 2 or 4 or 6 or … year old. 

Children, who should be playing with toys and wiggling their toes in the mud and protected from evil, are being given drugs that will change their bodies in ways no one yet understands.  Children, who should be amazed at the birth of puppies, are being taught that they are a sexual being and can pleasure themselves.  Young girls are being allowed to mutilate their bodies by having their breasts removed and young boys are advised on surgical procedures to forever change their bodies.  And business makes profits and hospitals rake in the dough and politicians and educators jump on the new god bandwagon:  transgenderism.

And I wonder, “How did this happen?  Where did reason and common sense go?  When did we turn our children over to such teachings?  Why do we allow this?”  And my heart breaks.  The tears fall. 

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Unlike my Facebook page, my blog is rarely political, but this week my soul will not be quiet.  As hard as I have tried to not write this, I must.  Why?  Because I fear for the souls of those that no longer value our children.  I fear for the souls of those that have allowed our children to become a political commodity, to be sexualized, to be mutilated, and to be killed.

“If anyone causes one of these little ones – those who believe in me – to stumble,

it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck

and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 

Matthew 18:6  NIV

 

 HI.  I AM ….

How do you introduce yourself?  Or how would others introduce you?

Since 1965, Bill has introduced me as, “My wife, Mary.”  When the kids were in school, I was Bill’s mother or Terri’s mother. I became someone’s grandma.  Before hubby retired, I was known as Bill’s office manager.  When I worked auctions, I was Mary, the cashier.  I am sometimes introduced, “This is my sister, Mary.”

I am introduced as my wife, my mother, my sister, my grandma, or my friend.  At church I am introduced as our Sunday School teacher, our social media manager, and our Mary.  I really like that “our Mary.”  Bill calls me “My Mary.”  Those make me feel special.  Like I have an identity that is not connected to a skill or activity or family.  Just ME.

Now don’t get me wrong.  I like being honored with the tags wife, mother, sister, grandma, or friend.  I appreciate that the people in our Sunday School class are willing to recognize me in public.  And I was darned good at being an auction cashier.  But I have hit an all-time low…

Our mailman started attending our daughter’s church.  Last Sunday he went up to our son-in-law and said, “Hi.  I know Norman Frog.”  He did not say, “Hi.  I know your in-laws.”  No -- he says NORMAN FROG!  When being introduced, I now rank below a stuffed frog.  For anyone who does not know, I have a stuffed frog with an Instagram account.  (norman_frog)  He has more followers than I have Facebook friends.  He sends Christmas cards to people in 23 countries.  How does Norman introduce me? He says, “This is my human.”  If he has to admit I am the one that sends those cards, he calls me his assistant.

For all my accomplishments, I am most recognized as a stuffed frog’s assistant.  Now doesn’t that just knock me off my pedestal?

All this to ask a question:  When talking to family, friends, and strangers, how do you introduce God?