Until That Day, You Are Their Light

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,

may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation

so that you may know him better.

Ephesians 1:17

Do you want to know God better? Ask for wisdom and revelation. That’s how Paul prayed for the new converts in Ephesus. Paul was one of the most learned men in the Jewish community. He knew the laws of God inside and out…but until Jesus revealed himself to Paul, he was actually going the wrong way, believing the wrong things, listening to the wrong voice and getting everything completely wrong in the obedience department. In fact, Paul was doing the direct opposite of what God wanted him to do. Rather than building up the Church, by telling the story of God’s Son and his death and resurrection in order to be the atoning sacrifice for all our sin, he worked tirelessly to destroy the Church and everyone that believed that Jesus was the Son of God.

For Paul it took a Light so bright that he was blinded for 3 days. I think of this experience as God taking away our own vision… our own agenda… our own mission… our preconceived notions… our thoughts that we cling to that are way off base. Sometimes we need to be reprogramed in order to have space to store the real truth. For some of us, it may take a whole lot more than 3 days for that to happen.

As parents, we are often the ones to provide the wisdom and revelation of the reality of Christ to our children. They come to us with a weak ability to comprehend… anything. They know hunger and discomfort and self-centeredness. Their only concern is their own well-being. If that were not the case, they may not survive. We know to feed them and change them and comfort them because they let us know something needs to happen. Loudly.

As they grow, we must take very seriously the responsibility to help them know their most critical need…Jesus. I believe that He will reveal Himself to them. We can’t force them to see Him, but we can describe Him and know Him better and better ourselves. Our parental responsibility is to share our knowledge and insight with them so that when He reveals Himself to them, they will recognize Him. They will know that He longs to be their Master, to give them wisdom and guidance for the rest of their life. Perhaps, if they have been exposed to His light through you, He won’t have quite as much reprogramming to do.

Until God reveals Himself more fully to your children, YOU be that LIGHT. You be the one to expose the self-centeredness and teach them to see others and their needs. You be the light that exposes their sinful behaviors. You be the light that shows them the way to go. You be the light that helps them see that we all need a Savior. You be that voice that directs them on the right path. You be that voice that corrects them when they do not behave well. You be that authority that helps them learn the joy of obedience. You be the grace that provides love in all situations.

Take some time to think about what your children are hearing and seeing. What they are being exposed to on a regular basis. Listen to the lyrics of the songs on the radio. Take a look at the themes of their favorite programs. Open the eyes of your heart to see what sin may have found a resting place in your life that they are seeing as a normal and acceptable way to live. Prepare them for an encounter with Jesus Christ that will change their eternity in a miraculous way.

What Do You Think?

Parents, what does it take to get you to change your mind? Begging? Public tantrums? Tears? What turns your “NO!” to an “Okay, just stop making a scene!” We have all seen and heard these outbursts that get a child what they want because parents are trying to alter an undesired behavior.  It seems to me that this is completely upside down. It is our responsibility as parents to be working to bring about change in the behavior of our children. When it is the children who weaken our resolve, it is a lose/lose proposition. Kids get to raise themselves by calling the shots, shaping their own values, and making decisions based on desire rather than wisdom.

We all know where this type of leadership is taking the home and it is frightening, at best. What I would invite you to see is a similar tragedy and it is happening to adults who call themselves children of God. We have a Heavenly Father, directing us to the plan that He crafted long before he allowed our birth to take place (Ephesians 2:10). He has given us direct orders, but often we have our own agenda and we beg, defy, turn our heads, rationalize and slam the door in His face so that we can get things to go our way. Not seeing it? Let me give you a few examples…

God says… Honor one another above yourselves. We fight to be right even if it brings pain to those we have promised to love for a lifetime. The divorce rate is as high among Christians as it is in those who don’t profess to follow Christ.

God says… Put NOTHING before me. We have career goals and friends and social media all of which take more of our thoughts, time and energy than we devote to knowing and following God. Do God followers look any different than those who follow their own ambitions?

God says… Teach your children all that I have done so they will follow me. Many hours each week are devoted to the athletic or academic development of our children. Do followers of Jesus look the same as those who don’t know Him when it comes to these priorities or are they placing a higher priority of time invested in teaching their kids from God’s Word? Are they even reading it themselves?

If we are going to be Ambassadors for Christ and turn a dying world to Him, it is time to stop our defiant behavior, turning from His will, and start truly being obedient followers. The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12 that we, as dedicated followers of Christ need to stop behaving as the world behaves. We need to change our minds and stop trying to change His mind, like a stubborn and defiant child.

Paul goes on to say that He will transform us so that we don’t make the same decisions and mistakes that the world makes. He will make us different from the world. How? He will change the way we think. When we undergo a change in our thinking, allowing His sculpting of our thoughts, we will begin to see a marked change in our actions. We will no longer look like the world, but will begin to love more deeply, follow more closely and lead more wisely.

What does it take for you to change your mind? A realization that the Father knows best; that He has a plan for your life; that wearing the disguise of the lost will lead you to the path of destruction; that His laws are based in love. Let God transform you by changing the way you think. Aligning your thoughts with Divine thoughts will make you the parent your children need. Defying the God who made you and loves you never ends well. Take off the disguise of the world and let the world know that you are making a change in the way your family lives. You have chosen to find your way by following the One, not the world.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God

 because of all he has done for you.

Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable.

This is truly the way to worship him.

 ² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world,

but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

 Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:1-2

Praying On His Armor

When my kids were young I developed the practice of praying on the armor of God as I drove them to school. I made sure that they were dressed appropriately before we went out the door. Long sleeves in cool weather. Short sleeves in warm weather. Boots in snow. Shoes that didn’t make their toes curl. You know. I covered the basics for their body to be dressed appropriately, so why not their soul?

It was a good practice not only for them but for me. It made me think about what it meant to be strong in the mighty power of the Lord and put on the armor of Christ as described in Ephesians 6…

¹⁰ Finally, let the Lord make you strong. Depend on his mighty power.¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor. Then you can remain strong against the devil’s evil plans. ¹² Our fight is not against human beings. It is against the rulers, the authorities and the powers of this dark world. It is against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly world. 

We are not raising our kids in easy times. I am fairly certain that all generations would say the same. The devil truly does have evil plans for our kids and when we back down, we make his job easy. I was not willing to hand the souls of my kids over to the enemy, so I did what the next verses describe…

¹³ So put on all of God’s armor. Evil days will come. But you will be able to stand up to anything. And after you have done everything you can, you will still be standing.¹⁴ So remain strong in the faith.

That’s what I wanted for my kids… but how?

Put the belt of truth around your waist.  

I prayed… Lord, wrap your truth around my kids so that all the lies they hear about who you are, who they are, what it right and what is wrong will not sway them because they are surrounded in YOUR TRUTH. And help me, Lord, to stay true to what I profess and live honestly and consistently before them.

Put the armor of godliness on your chest

I prayed… Lord, as a breastplate guards the heart, may their hearts be protected because they are reflecting Your goodness. Place godly people along their path today, to show them the right steps and help me to be one of those people.

 ¹⁵ Wear on your feet what will prepare you to tell the good news of peace.

I prayed… Lord, it is so much a part of our nature to rush to spread gossip or complaints or negative thoughts. Open their little eyes to the tragedy those words bring and give them words of comfort and affirmation to share with those who need to experience Your peace.

 ¹⁶ Also, pick up the shield of faith. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

I prayed…Father, the world is full of challenges to our faith. Surround my children with armor bearers who will help them hold up the shield that will protect them from the attack of Satan that could cause them to take their eyes off of You and the plan you have laid out for them.

 ¹⁷ Put on the helmet of salvation.

I prayed… Father, we cannot be who You made us to be if we forget who You are and the gift of salvation You provide. Keep their thoughts according to your will and remind them constantly of your goodness and grace.

And take the sword of the Holy Spirit. The sword is God’s word.

I prayed… God, help me be faithful to the reading of Your Word so that I can know You better. You have provided a testimony to who you are in your Word. Help me to know you better so that I can be a better reflection of you for the sake of my children.

¹⁸ At all times, pray by the power of the Spirit. Pray all kinds of prayers. Be watchful, so that you can pray. Always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

And this was my practice almost daily for the years I drove them to school. I wanted them to know that I had prayed the armor of God on them and that there was nothing they could not do with that armor on.

Prayer is essential to godly parenting. Listen to Michelle's story about why she decided to bathe her children in  prayer:

http://momsinprayer.org/prayerforchildren?gclid=Cj0KEQiArou2BRDcoN_c6NDI3oMBEiQANeix5gg6TQ8P70EOzN2iRuUd2gKwapGffTQxvRYEXb2KRDAaAhnE8P8HAQ

Roots

 This is a Strangler Fig tree in the Rain Forest of eastern Australia. Beneath the root network you see a host tree that will die because the roots of the Fig will eventually "strangle" it. The fig seeds are actually deposited in the canopy of the rain forest by birds. They could never grow if planted in the soil because they would receive no sunlight there. As the sun shines on them, they reach heavenward and begin to send their roots over a hundred feet down to the forest floor, drawing nutrients from their host as they travel, so their roots can become strong and healthy. This is a process that takes hundreds of years, but happens only because nature places within that fig seed an unquenchable desire to grow and survive. It instinctively knows that, without roots, it will perish. Here is the message God gave to the Prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 17, regarding our roots...

“But I will bless anyone who trusts in me.

    I will do good things for the person who depends on me.

8 

They will be like a tree planted near water.

    It sends out its roots beside a stream.

It is not afraid when heat comes.

    Its leaves are always green.

It does not worry when there is no rain.

    It always bears fruit.”

Think about the roots of your children. Without spiritual roots their journey will not end with an eternal reward. Sometimes they grow, in spite of our failure to help them find roots and, like the Strangler Fig, they will find their way to the soil that will nourish them, providing a way for them to grow in their faith even if they are not planted by the Water of which Jeremiah speaks. But, as parents, the spiritual well-being of our children is our responsibility. Leaving that to chance, we are doing no better than planting bird excrement at the top of a rain forest and hoping for the best.

True concern for the spiritual well-being of our children means we are constantly cultivating the soil around them to help their roots grow. Planting them by the Water means we are essentially giving them constant access to the Source of goodness and godliness. We are instructing them, reading to them, growing in faith ourselves so that we are naturally seeing all the teachable moments that occur daily. We are being an example to them as we walk with Jesus in our daily life.

My prayer is that you are tending the soil of your child's soul, exposing them constantly to the Son; drenching them in the Spirit of God living in you; pruning them so that they will grow and bear fruit in their lives.

Remember the Sabbath???

The wisest man that ever lived warns us not to lean on what seems right to us but to look to the only One who truly knows the way we should go (Proverbs 3:5-7).  Solomon learned the hard way that doing what seems perfectly logical in our human way of thinking can be devastating. His home and kingdom were in a state of ruin because he made decisions based on what was wise, according to his culture. In hindsight, he begs those who will listen to find God’s path.

In children’s church this past week we talked about how Saul, persecutor of Christians, thought what he was doing was something God wanted him to do. He used the information he had and the wisdom he had gained studying under the best teachers of his time. The only thing that stopped him was to be blinded by the Truth. In essence, Saul had to have his way of thinking erased and his focus changed in order to find the real reason God put him on this earth.

That is the same kind of transformation that we need to take our focus from what the world  dictates to what God requires. If we would allow God to wipe our hard-drive clean and reprogram our thoughts, we could find the reason we are here and stop wasting so much time doing the things that seem wise to us. As I talked about how easy it is to get wrapped up in what the world says is right a 3^rd grade boy raised his hand and said, “It’s like last summer when we were in church learning about God and all those kids were outside playing baseball. They think that is what is important, but then they never get to know what we learn here and don’t get to worship God and stuff.”

Out of the mouths of babes!  We don’t have to look very far to see areas where we have chosen the wisdom of the world over the wisdom of the Word. If you truly believe it is important for your kids to find God and follow him, what are you doing about it?  You can and should be teaching them the truth of scripture at home and living your own life accordingly, but that isn’t all the Bible says about following God. Hebrews 10:25 teaches us that we are not to neglect our time of worship together. Throughout the New Testament we learn that we are to meet together to sing praise, to pray, to share and to learn together. Is that the priority in your home?

I understand that, in our society, we are compelled to have our kids in sports and in our society, Sunday is no longer a day of worship. The wisdom of the world says that sport is where we learn good habits, self-discipline, motivation and a healthy life-style. Furthermore, if we don’t enroll them at a very young age, they will not be competitive enough to play in high school. If they don’t play in high school they will not be able to get that scholarship that will cut down on college debt. That is just good stewardship, right? And besides, if God gave our kid talent in a particular sport, we have to give them every opportunity to develop it… and of course, give Him all the glory.

This makes perfect sense in our culture. But when our children are raising our grandchildren and they have no use for the church or what it represents, perhaps then we will see the dangerous, pseudo wisdom that has taken our focus off of God. It’s not too late to take a stand for what is wise according to scripture. Let God blind you to the wrong path and open your eyes to wisdom and truth according to His Word. Take a lesson from the Apostle Paul… and Cade… and realize, before it’s too late, that your kids need to “worship God and stuff.”

Going Deeper

I have a thing for trees. I love the things we can learn from them. I love the way the snow glistens on the branches in winter and the new buds full of promise in the spring. I love the variety of green in summer and, best of all the Masterpiece of color in the autumn. None of those lovely visions would be possible without roots. We don’t think about them. We don’t go looking for them, but they are there making growth and beauty possible.

Sunday Pastor Chris said something like, “You can have a great network of roots that span for several yards, but if those roots don’t go deep, when the storms come you can be easily uprooted.”  It made me think of my support system. How often do I rely on a job with a nice paycheck to keep me going? Or friends to pick me up when I am down? How many times have I leaned on my husband? Parents? Children? How long will it take me to figure out that real help comes from going deep in my faith by learning more about the only One who is deserving of my trust?

As a parent, we tend to scrutinize the friends our children want to be with. We notice quickly when they pick up undesirable behaviors and language that isn’t allowed in our home. We easily observe whining and begging that is new after a day spent with a rather spoiled child and we threaten that they better stop or they won’t be going back there to play!

 I wonder if my Heavenly Father is doing the same as He scrutinizes my relationships? Am I closing my ears to His warnings about their lifestyle, their priorities, their relationships? Or do I just enjoy them because they are fun and make me laugh and help me escape the craziness of everyday life? I think they make me a better person because they help me unwind and relax and have fun. After all, I deserve that!

As we begin a new year, let’s think about our circle of friends. Not so that we can dump anyone who isn’t following Jesus because we may be the one to bring them to Him. But, all of us should have at least one friend who will challenge us and help us to go deeper in our walk of faith. We need each other on this journey to the heart of God. We need accountability. We need the prayers of our friends. We need to tear into Scripture with someone that is hungry to understand the truth found there. Where do you find such a friend? Start by asking God to open those doors for you and make you aware of someone who may be looking for the same thing.  Maybe someone needs you to mentor them. Maybe there are people waiting for you to approach them. Pray, asking the Father who He wants in your life and He will provide. You will grow deeper with God in community. There will be no regrets. Reach out to someone this next week and start going deeper in your relationship with God!

What will your kids catch from you this season?

Decades ago, in the church, we talked about being what Bill Hybels called A Contagious Christian. This is someone that attracts people to Jesus because His presence in their lives is so obvious and attractive that people are just naturally drawn to them. It seems, however, that as believers, we are not too good at showing the peace and joy that we proclaim is the result of following Jesus. Rather, we fuss at our kids, fret over bills, get annoyed with our spouse and complain about our church. That isn’t attractive and I certainly don’t want to “catch” it!

Let’s bring that whole concept down to being a contagious Christian in our home. After all, that is where it matters most. God gave us our kids and established the family as a place to learn and grow long before He started the Church in the New Testament. Think about what your kids see at home, as it relates to your walk with Jesus…

Are your words kind and thoughtful when speaking to (or about) someone?

Are you living in a state of chaos that makes you constantly on edge?

Do you live in fear that something will happen outside your control and you won’t be equipped to deal with it?

Are you so over-extended that the rushing has left you exhausted and you have no margin in the day to just sit and listen?

Do you spend time with Jesus that leaves you noticeably refreshed?

Do you honor your spouse above yourself, or stay aggravated and irritable because you aren’t having your needs met?

If you are doing all these things right all the time, I want to meet you. Then I want to talk to you about your unrealistic view of yourself! Let’s face it, none of us are going to get it right all the time. We are human. We mess up. Period.  But, if we want our kids to have an authentic relationship with Jesus, they better be seeing it in us. We, as parents, are the ones God has given them to show them the way.

It is my observation that we should begin in our own home when it comes to drawing others to the love and grace of Jesus. I don’t mean for you to be perfect or preachy. I mean for you to be real. To own your shortcomings with your kids. To work hard to treat your spouse better than they treat you. To make family life a priority. To establish a set of godly values for your home and make all decisions based on those values. Hold yourself to a higher standard than the rest of the world. Be kind. Stay strong. Make Jesus number 1.

For most of us, none of those really good suggestions are really easy. So you better get started. We all need practice!

Parenting In The Garden

Outside the snow is blowing and it’s bitter cold, so the thought of planting a garden doesn’t quite fit… however, now is the time to prepare for the planting. The Bible tells us that we will reap what we sow. Don’t have to be a horticulturist to figure that one out. But, I’m certain that Paul wasn’t talking about a garden of vegetables we can eat, but a harvest of goodness that we reap when we plant our pure motives and good attitudes.

Mom and Dad, think about what you are planting in your children. Good hygiene? Thank you!  Good manners? Thank you!  Good study habits? Respect? Kindness? Joy? Gratitude? Thank you for what you are doing to plant good seeds in your kids!  Don’t stop! Don’t give up! Does it seem that they aren’t catching on? Does it ever seem that you are a broken record playing the same lines again and again, but falling on deaf ears? Persevere! Find ways to teach the things you want them to grasp and own as their values for life. It doesn’t sink in better when you yell or criticize or throw up your hands and give up. It sinks in when you live the life in front of them and share the joy that kind of living brings.

Our first child was very compliant. Our second child had a very strong will and would challenge me from the time he could walk until he went to school ALL DAY LONG! Had I been a single parent I wouldn’t have survived raising him, but his daddy is the one who kept me strong so that I could outlast the strong willed youngster and continue to shape him and direct his behaviors.

Be a team. Typically one parent is heavy with grace and the other heavy with truth. One heart and One mind… combined they create the best scenario for raising a well-balanced child. Learn to hear each other out. We tend to think we are right and don’t want to parent their way… because we are right! You probably are right… and so is your spouse! Learn from each other and parent as a team, allowing for grace and consequences. It is how your Heavenly Father is shaping you. And He is never wrong!

How about sowing TRUTH into your children in 2016? Show them the right way to think and behave and treat others. Show them the behaviors that will please God and the consequences of running the wrong direction. Stop excusing bad behavior and redirect them to the right behavior. Be consistent with them so that they are fully aware that what is not acceptable behavior today will not be tolerated tomorrow, either.

When you have planted TRUTH you can expect a good harvest, but only if you water it with GRACE. They will make mistakes, be crabby, act selfishly, show disrespect, and act like you never thought your child would act. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t give up. They are growing and learning and need to be showered with the GRACE that assures them that you make mistakes, too, and you will always love them through their bad choices. Remember, they are learning and learning isn’t easy. But your example and your love will make the lessons most effective.

“Those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.

 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.

At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

Galatians 6:8-9

This Year The Kids WILL See...

Sunday the Pastor suggested that we could gain valuable insights into our heart, our motivation, our priorities if our kids were interviewed and asked, “What matters most to your parents? What stresses them out? What occupies most of their time?”  Anybody want to sign up for that?!?!?  Probably most of us want to be better parents; better people…BUT, sometimes it is painful to see ourselves as others see us… especially those who see us when the world isn’t watching.  Maybe we should make a few changes before word gets out that we are a hot mess!

As we begin a new year, we have a chance to change the outcome of this imaginary interview with our kids that could occur next January. Here are some things that you may like to hear your kids say about what matters to you…

“My dad cares about my mom because when he says or does something that isn’t nice, he is sorry and tells us that he was wrong to act that way.”

“My parents care that I am learning because they stopped yelling about homework and now they sit down and help me with it."

“My parents care about what God says because they read their Bible every day and make sure we know what the Bible says.”

“My mom cares about people who have less stuff than us because when we want things, we stop and think about whether or not it’s something we should get or if we should use the money for someone else who needs something more.”

If your time investment signifies what you most value, would your child say, “my parents value their smart phone, their computer, their television, their hobby, their vehicle, their house, their garage, their games, their friends…  or will they notice a shift in the way you spend your evenings and weekends in 2016?  They could see you reading your Bible rather than a Tabloid; looking at them instead of your phone; making your own life rather than watching pretend lives on TV; giving your time to the “least of these” rather than indulging in your own desires; listening rather than shushing, demonstrating honor rather than anger…

I have never met anyone who looks back at how they raised their kids and said, “I totally nailed it! If I had it to do all over again I would do exactly what I did the first time around!”  We all seem to wish we could have a do-over from time to time. So how about we make 2016 our opportunity for a “do-over” and begin to parent in such a way that our kids will see a glimpse of Jesus as they watch us go through the year.

Now for the secret to making this all come to pass… Don’t compare yourself to others, but look to Jesus and allow Him to transform you. That requires surrendering to Him, moment by moment; allowing Him the freedom to show you the pruning needed to help you grow.

“Seek God’s will in all you do and He will show you which path to take.”

Proverbs 3:6

New Year - New You

Have you been looking back at 2015 and wondering about how 2016 will be different? Better?  It’s that time of year that we all tend to scrutinize and analyze, plot and plan. Here are a few suggestions that I have stolen from some really wise people who place great value on raising their kids to honor God. Here is what they have suggested…

Always look at the heart of your child, not just the behavior. Behavior comes from an internal issue. Listen to them and find out why they are behaving as they are and correct the behavior from the heart level.

Speak to others with respect and don’t yell. When we raise our voice we are demonstrating that we are not in control. That is NOT what we want them to believe is acceptable behavior.

Correct undesired behavior with examples of what could or should have been said or done. As they get older, ask them. “How could you have handled that better?”

Never speak unkindly or disrespectfully about others in the presence of your children. It will teach them that it is okay to be judgmental and critical of others.

Make sure that your day includes more face time than it does screen time. Social media can wait until the kids are sleeping.

If you are married, treat your spouse the way you want your child’s spouse to someday treat them. You are setting their “normal” so if you are rude to your spouse, they will likely date people who are rude to them and think nothing of it.

Plan ahead for healthy meals so that you aren’t pumping your kids full of processed food that will have a huge impact on behavior and health. Portion out your fruit and veggies in snack size bags so you can easily grab and go! Check out the website plantoeat.com for a tool that can make your life easier and healthier.

Develop routines for cleaning and organizing to minimize frustration that comes when things start to pile up. By pre-school age have your kids involved in small duties and expand them as they grow. Keep it simple: Monday, collect and empty waste baskets. Tuesday, fold towels. Etc.

Read to your children and instill the love of books in them. It will make school easier if they love to read.

Make worship a priority in your home. If something is keeping you from weekly church attendance, make sure that it isn’t keeping you from worshiping God together.

Read a book or two this year that will make you a better person. Some of my favorite authors are Francis Chan, Kyle Idleman, Max Lucado and Beth Moore… if you needed a suggestion.

Laugh out loud. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

Listen to Christian radio and keep a children’s cd of Sunday School Songs in your vehicle so the kids are learning truths from the Bible in the songs they sing.

Love your parents. Your kids will likely treat you as well as you treat your parents some day. Let them see that you value them and honor them, even if you don’t always enjoy or agree with them.

Remind your children to honor others above themselves, treat others as they wish to be treated, show respect to all people and be kind. This is not superfluous, but the behavior that honors God and creates peace in our homes. Expect it and settle for nothing less.

Apply Romans 12:2 to every waking moment and let God transform you by changing the way your think. The way you think determines how you feel and the way you feel will dictate your words and actions. Give your thoughts to God and let him have control of reshaping them. It will improve all your relationships.

At Just The RIGHT Time???

We have all heard it said, “timing is everything.” We like to align our circumstances, get our duckies are in a row and plan out the happily ever after ending. Wait until he is in a good mood before you tell him you wrecked his car. Wait until she is in a better mood before you tell her that dress is NOT flattering. Wait until the price drops to this number before you make that purchase. Wait until you have this much in the bank before you start a family. Then, at just the right time… the perfect time… things work out just as you planned.

In the story of Jesus (God, in human form coming to earth to live among us filthy, undeserving people) we hear the term, “at just the right time.” The timing must have been perfect because it was God that orchestrated the entire event. He got to choose the “who”, the “when” and the “where” throughout all of history for Jesus to make his appearance. So let’s take a look at this perfect timing of the God of the universe.

THE WHO:  First, he needed a host for the infant to make his appearance. Mary! Perfect! … wait… Mary was a single Jewish girl. This can’t be the right person to choose for the job! Jewish females were pretty much worthless in society, except for their ability to bear children. But… she was unmarried… no husband… no notoriety, no prestige. She can’t possibly be the mother of the King of the Jews! She was engaged to Joseph, however, so if she could convince him to stick around after she told him this ridiculous story about the baby within her being the child of the Holy Spirit, at least they could be a family. But what are the chances that this fine Jewish carpenter is going to believe that? He didn’t buy it and he was walking away from this scandal… at least until the Angel of the Lord appeared and changed his mind!

So this carpenter is going to be the dad to a baby that isn’t his. People will talk. People will point fingers at them. If only the timing had been different and they were already married they would have escaped all the gossip. “Why me?” Joseph must have wondered. And rightly so. Looking at his family tree you don’t find royalty for centuries past. He isn’t a priest, doesn’t live in Jerusalem, and he is a commoner who works with his hands and certainly doesn’t have the means to properly raise a King. What in the world is God thinking right now. This makes no sense!

It doesn’t get better… God literally throws this young woman into the home of this carpenter so that they can become a family. If you are married you already know that becoming “one” with that special person isn’t really all romance and bliss. There are adjustments to be made and lessons to learn. Taking into account the fact that she is a teenager, lacking maturity; is now obviously pregnant before the marriage causing stares and slanderous gossip; within her there is a battle ensuing of brand new, inexplicable and uncontrollable hormonal shifts; and the intimacy they may both be craving must be postponed until after the birth of this mystery she is carrying.

THE WHEN: The crisis continues when the decree is announced that, in her last trimester when she is feeling as big as a house and doesn’t know whether to be excited or ashamed or scared to death, she has to travel to the town of their origin to be a part of the first census. Great timing! Never before has there been a census and Caesar chooses NOW? I can hear her now, “Are you kidding me? We have to take a road trip?” We aren’t talking about just across town to visit your parents. We are talking 80 miles! How long would it take you to walk 80 miles when you are ready to be done with the heartburn, practice contractions (or are they practice contractions? Remember, this is her first child and all that she is feeling is subject to question), and… how do I say this politely???  Let’s just say there were probably a whole lot of stops along the way and no proper facilities!

THE WHERE:  Finally, the timing seems to be improving, for just as the contractions seem to be bearing down on her, the lights of Bethlehem appear. At least they will be able to find a suitable place to have this baby and he won’t be delivered on the open road!  They reach the town and, much to their dismay, every extra bed in town is already filled with others who have come to be counted in the census. If only they had been able to travel faster, they may have had a place to stay. If only there were no baby… less stops along the way… better timing could have made all the  difference!

I wonder how many times Joseph was offered a stable and how many times Mary said, “I am NOT having this baby in a barn! Keep looking!” The fear and anxiety of delivering a little baby is incomparable to any other experience on earth. “I want this baby out of me! No, wait! It hurts too bad! Make it stop! Please God, make him come! No, I am not ready to do this!” Back and forth the mind swings until the moment comes when there is no stopping the inevitable and perhaps Mary’s shrieks could be heard throughout the village. “I don’t care if it’s the worst barn in this town! I have to lie down… NOW!

We have heard the Christmas story many times and found it to be quaint and comforting, but when you really look at the story of Jesus coming on that first Christmas night, there is not a single thing for those involved that appears to be good timing in our human way of thinking.

Maybe, as you look at the things for which you are waiting in your own life, it seems that God’s timing is not lining up with yours.

“…but at just the right time, GOD…”  His timing is the RIGHT timing. We seldom see it. Life often looks like it is never going to align with what we want, the way we planned, the way it “should” be. The story of our Messiah; our Savior; our Redeemer coming to earth to reconcile us to our Creator proves that, what looks like disaster from the human perspective, is truly “just the right time” in God’s plan.

This Christmas, may your heart be renewed and your hope be restored as you take a glimpse into the greatest event of all time, orchestrated by the Master Designer,  and see that, in spite of our human understanding, God really does work things out “at just the right time.”

I am praying that, whoever you are, wherever you are, you will find a Merry Hope-filled Christmas!

Hope Misplaced

12082015 Bringing it home

Sunday the Pastor wrapped up his sermon on “The Thrill of Hope” with the question, “What is it that you stress about? What do you fear? Perhaps that is where your hope is, rather than in the miracle of Jesus.”  Emmanuel is God with us; the infant King who came from heaven to earth to be our Redeemer, our Restorer, our Hope. Yet it seems so easy to fall into the trap of putting all our faith in our own ability to provide for ourselves; to control our environment; to align our life just the way we planned.

Another wonderful conversation with my dad this week led me down the same path that the Pastor sent us on Sunday. He talked about the hope we have in Jesus, “When we truly deserved another flood, God gave us a baby. Over and over again we fail to live up to who He created us to be. We don’t walk in step with Him; we seek our will over His; we don’t listen; don’t obey. Yet, in spite of our wickedness, He didn’t destroy the world, but gave us the gift of a baby King that was born in a barn to unlikely parents of royalty. A baby that would forever bring hope to the world.

Babies are God’s way of saying there is HOPE. There is reason to believe that we can get this right. They bring us new beginnings. Babies bring joy. We have had a large crop of babies born in our church family in the past few months and more are coming in 2016. What a blessing it is to hold them and love them and teach them they are loved by the One who created them. What an honor it is to introduce them to Emmanuel, God with us. What a privilege to teach them that there is HOPE.

I encourage you to take a look at where you are placing your hope. Your job? Your paycheck? Your skills? Your health? Your talent?  Your family? Here is the thing you need to know… your kids can see it and are learning where to place their hope by watching you. Take a step in the right direction and shift your Hope to the One who cannot fail and have a Merry, Hope-filled, Christmas!