I am just now back to “real life” for a day or two before heading to the Dome for Passion 2012. Christmas was amazing, delightful, and all that one could ask for, except for missing my firstborn and his beautiful wife. Loved the cooking, baking, giving, receiving, running, worshipping, visiting, pondering our baby Jesus, and so much more. But when I try to think of a way to really express my joy over the holidays, I come up short. Max Lucado doesn’t seem to lack the vocabulary. I share a few of his words here. for you. Have a great end to this 2011, and a beautiful start to 2012. talk to you soon. God’s richest blessings to you……
The world was different this week. It was temporarily transformed.
The magical dust of Christmas glittered on the cheeks of humanity ever so briefly, reminding us of what is worth having and what we were intended to be. We forgot our compulsion with winning, wooing, and warring. We put away our ladders and ledgers, we hung up our stopwatches and weapons. We stepped off our race tracks and roller coasters and looked outward toward the star of Bethlehem.
We reminded ourselves that Jesus came as a babe, born in a manger.
I’d like to suggest that we remind ourselves he still comes.
He comes to those as small as Mary’s baby and as poor as a carpenter’s boy.
He comes to those as young as a Nazarene teenager and as forgotten as an unnoticed kid in an obscure village.
He comes to those as busy as the oldest son of a large family, to those as stressed as the leader of restless disciples, to those as tired as one with no pillow for his head.
He comes and gives us the gift of himself.
Sunsets steal our breath. Caribbean blue stills our hearts. Newborn babies stir our tears. Lifelong love bejewels our lives. But take all these away—strip away the sunsets, oceans, cooing babies, and tender hearts—and leave us in the Sahara, and we still have reason to dance in the sand. Why? Because God is with us.
He still comes. He still speaks.
“He still speaks.” He does indeed.
Praying for safe travels as you head to Passion as well as for strength and endurance for the four full days! I pray that He will captivate each and every heart in attendance.
Traveling mercies!!!!!
Love you! Mw
Thank you, Nancy! Max Lucado said it well…God is with us. HE still comes. HE still speaks! Thanks for reminding me of this today. It was perfect timing. Lots of love to you and praying for safe travels for you and Sara.
Stace
He’s going to have to come to me in a huge way in the next few weeks, because I’m in way over my head! I need a job and have never been successful in work, always being yelled at for being to slow or whatever. I have nothing to offer any potential employer and I’m not going to be able to say anything positive about myself in an interview. It’s hard enough to write down even the slightest hint of a positive on paper. It feels like a giant lie. I don’t want to tell them about all the jobs I’ve walked out of in tears and trembling, having had my worst fears confirmed. I really never will amount to anything. I just have to struggle through life and take handouts until I finally die.