The Scarf Of Gold

As I carefully place the pieces of the Nativity set in it’s traditional place atop the desk, I try to find a quiet time to think about the characters and give thanks for the part that each played on that miraculous day. I place the stable along with Mary and Joseph on a gold scarf that came with the set. Of course, I recount how Mary was told by an angel that she would have a baby and she was to call him Jesus. Next to Mary I see poor Joseph who had his world turned upside down with the news that his wife-to-be was with child. I remember scripture that tells of the angel who came to calm his fears with news that this was God’s plan. Close by I place the shepherd with a lamb in his arms who gazes at the baby. Off at a distance the three wise men make their way with their gifts. The donkey, cow and sheep lay nearby to help make the scene complete. Lastly, I place the beautiful Baby Jesus in the manger over flowing with golden hay. My heart is greatly warmed at the sight of the sweet baby who came to be our savior. As I stand back and gaze at this beautiful scene, I am suddenly checked by the Lord. I began to see the scene in a different way.

The King of Kings was born in a stable, not the one that my Nativity set portrayed on it’s glimmering, gold scarf. It was a stinky place that animals stayed in and since the inn was full so probably was the stable. This weary couple may have shivered from the cold as the winds blew through the cracks of the rickety old barn. Mary and Joseph lay down, not on a bed of clean hay but probably a hard dirt floor that was hardly a place to give birth to a baby let alone our Savior. The manger was a dirty trough that was used to feed the livestock, how Mary must have winced at laying her precious baby there. The angels didn’t go to the religious leaders of that time but sang of the good news to lowly shepherds who quickly joined this scene, not smelling all that good either.

Why? He looks so good on my gold scarf, everyone is all cleaned up and looks so good I can practically hear “Silent Night” playing in the background. Why couldn’t he at least be born inside the inn? Why not a warm cradle to lay him in? I guess if the world had been the clean, perfect world that sat upon my gold scarf, there would have been no need for Him to come. If man was perfect, there would have been no need for a Savior. Jesus was born of a lowly maiden in a dirty stable and would die to save us from our dirty sins. As Mary wrapped her new born baby in swaddling clothes she wrapped God’s plan to save the world.

Don’t worry, my Nativity still sits on the gold scarf I haven’t brought in stable “dirt” to make it look realistic but I will never look at it the same. This perfect baby came down to an imperfect world to die for our sins. Why? Because he loved us so!

Luke 2:1-7
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

She Gave

My mother-in-law died yesterday at 95 years of age. She was a wonderfully generous women who loved her family and tried to help anyone in need. I was privileged to know her for almost 50 years. Since she liked to read my blog posts I tried to write a nice story about her but I found myself returning to the same scripture in Matthew. It tells the story of my sweet friend and mother-in-law better than I ever could. Enjoy heaven Dorothy Elizabeth Seaton, we will miss your sweet spirit!

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. 35For 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, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40

Dust Bunnies!

As I sit here this morning, with the sun behind me, I see several bunnies scurrying around. Not the furry kind that play outside but the dust bunnies that huddle on my dining room floor. Oh, how the light makes a difference. In the dark these little nuisances were not visible so I didn't have to think about them, but in the morning light, there they are. I thought about how many times the light of the Lord has shed understanding into my life. Those times when wrong thinking huddled silently causing unrest in my soul.

Recently, on such an occassion, as I was praying, I realized that though I was asking the Lord for solutions, in the back of my mind I was plotting how I could help the situation in my own way or feeling guilty that all I could do was pray. How many times do we in frustration say, “All we can do now is pray”, as if that were the last resort. How much better off would I be to turn to prayer first and let God work? The bible says for all who are weary to come to Him! It doesn't say all who are weary come to him with your solutions or suggestions, He just says come and find rest.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

With the Lord's help, because He loves me enough to shine a light on those pesky “dust bunnies” even in my prayer life, I will trust Him to take my burdens on Himself! And I will rest!

I love a line from a song that says, “The One who knows me best loves me most”! I am also so glad I can say with Hagar from the bible, “I have seen the One who knows me.” ElRoi!

Now, where is that dust mop?

Gangly Pup!

Charlie, my grand-dog, came to visit today, in fact I “babysat” him for a little while. Charlie is only 5 months old but his long legs dominate his body. His long nose is into everything and his social skills surly need to be improved upon. He keeps everyone in the house on their toes, from Daisy the alpha female to Peppie the pint sized alpha male. He spends much of his time getting himself into trouble with the other dogs. He's an expert at dancing and dodging as they, in no uncertain terms, try to show him who's boss. Right now he sits at my feet, whining and has given up for the moment. I feel his pain because a few days ago I felt sorry for something I had said and I, like Charlie, sat and whined.

But.... if she hadn't said this, I wouldn't have said that. If I hadn't been tired because of my husband's restless night or if.......! It went on and on, one excuse after another. Finally, after all of the excuse making and whining, I began to beat myself up because I once again had bungled it.

My mind went back to a question in one of my bible studies. The question was something like this, “When have you said the wrong thing and felt sorry afterward?” Feeling rather self righteous, I couldn't think of the last time I had “bungled” it. “Have I arrived, I wondered to myself?” Maybe it's MY bible studying or maybe MY new journaling technique? Could it be that I am a mature Christian and this bungling at life is over? Had I moved from a baby bottle to solid food? Unfortunately pride in ME had reared its ugly head! I am sure that the Lord was not proud of me at that moment but, I'm sure He knew a time would come when I would be humbled.

While my heart broke because of what came from my mouth, I thought of how I should never think I have arrived and especially that it was all because of MY doing. It is only through Christ that I can walk through this life without making a mess of it. It is only God who can cause me to mature as a Christian. If not for the Lord I'm just a gangly pup with long legs and a long snout getting myself into all sorts of trouble. “Don't worry, Charlie, you'll grow up someday!” And so will I with God's help!

I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. 1 Corinthians 3:1-2

Heaven is Sweeter

In the account found in Luke's gospel, there were two thieves hanging on the cross next to Jesus. One thief mocked Jesus saying “if you are so great save yourself and us too”. But, recognizing that Jesus was who he said he was, the Messiah, the other man defended Jesus and asked him to remember him when he came into his Kingdom. There is no account of Jesus examining the “good thiefs” works. Jesus didn't say you have never been a “fisher of men” like Peter or my “beloved disciple” like John. From the lips of Christ did not come, “What church board did you sit on? What Sunday School class did you teach or how much money did you throw into the offering plate?” No, Jesus simply turned to this man and said these words, “Truely I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise”.

Salvation cannot be worked for or bought with money, it is a free gift from Jesus Christ. I have never been so aware of this truth as I was a few days ago when my very sick brother accepted Jesus as his Savior. I thought that I would have time to share some beloved scripture with him and mentor him as a new Christian as the days went on but that was not to be, he was caught up into “Paradise” just a few short days later. No, he didn't have time to get to church or declare his salvation to the world he simply ask Jesus to remember him and Christ took him to himself and said, “Truely I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise”!

I will miss my dear little brother but heaven is all the sweeter today because he is there!

 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  John 3:16

Hidden Treasures and Riches Stored in Secret Places

As I sat in the doctor's office the other day I came across one of those pictures that you have to stare at to find a hidden message. Not so discreetly, I stared into the picture, hoping no one would notice. I even, less discreetly, put the picture to my nose trying desperately to find the hidden words that I was sure was there. Finally, the hidden words, appeared! I sat back in total satisfaction but could not help but notice the “eyes” peaking over the magazines at me.

What is it about something hidden that we desperately want to find? I remember Larry playing “I Spy” with Riley, our sweet granddaughter, when she was younger. He would pick out something in the room and say with great, grandfatherly, enthusiasm “I spy with my little eye” something.....blue.” Riley would gaze around the room, and with prompting from Papa, indeed, with her little eyes, find the secret object. With much happiness, she would announce her finding as if she had found a great treasure. She, as most of us, like finding what is hidden!

I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. Isaiah 45:3

I love this scripture because I have so many times found “hidden treasures” in the bible that met my need at just the right time. Sometimes it is a scripture that I am familiar with that reminds me of His amazing love or one that I have never read before, but talks to my soul, precisely when I need it. He always brings to my heart the truth, that He IS Lord of all situations and even better, He knows me by my name.

How blessed I am that my Heavenly Father shows me His hidden treasures, His riches stored in the Bible and I don't even have to put my nose on the page.

Reminded!

Two years ago my sewing machine was in full throttle, humming along, making curtains and bedding for my, yet to be born, grandson, Kellan. The theme was cowboys and horses, which I thought appropriate, as we waited for our “little Buckeroo” to be born. The stitches pulled together the horseshoes and bucking broncos to form the red and blue “cowboy” curtains. I even searched high and low for a spur to hold them back when our precious baby was not sleeping. I was “spurred” on by a statement my daughter, who lives in NY, made, “I just want something made by your hands in his room to remind me of you”!

Have you looked around lately at the handy work of our Father? Like my daughter, are you reminded of Him because of what His hands have made? The season is changing from the hot summer to the crisps days of autumn and it is wonderful. The tiny corn plants, planted this spring, has grown to over 9 feet tall and turning brown as a sign that harvesting is right around the corner. Some trees are already dropping their leaves and the birds are gathering, ready to start their journey, south. Fall is in the air, as they say! Soon brilliant colors will adorn our trees and geese will decorate the brilliant blue sky with their V formation.

It's at this time that I feel close to God because of all He has created with His hands. I feel His presence as I take in the beauty of His creation. I am reminded that He is still God and I thank Him often for His spectacular array of beauty that I behold at this time of the year. I am so glad He thought to let us enjoy these things He made with His hands, to remind us of His Holy Brilliance!

As temperatures drop, officially ushering in this Autumn, I will be reminded of my God and know that He is always with me.

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Rev 4:11See More