Our Christmas Miracles

In the blackness before dawn, Alan and I finished loading the car and headed to our first destination. 

Carrying bags of presents, we entered Chris and Anne’s festive home. Lights sparkled inside and out. They welcomed us with hushed voices. No excited girls were in sight.

After a few minutes, Ashlyn and Emily bounded out of their room. Molly clung to her dad’s shoulder and gazed at us with sleepy eyes. 

Within a short time, gifts were opened. Giggles. Squeals of delight. Smiles all around. 

For several years we have joined Chris, Anne, and the girls on Christmas morning to open gifts and have breakfast with them. With Alan’s disease, we didn’t know if that would happen this year, but he felt great.

Our second stop was at Ken and Kim’s for the next meal with more family. With mother’s declining health, we weren’t sure if she would be up to joining the group. Thankfully, she was also able to participate. 

Though we missed having dad with us, five children kept the gathering jolly as they played, laughed, and enjoyed each other. That was one miracle.

Mother’s stamina, after days of being very weak, and being a part of the celebration was a miracle. 

For Alan there were two miracles. He had been strong for about ten hours which had not happened in months. Also, he had not used his oxygen all day even though he normally uses it full time. How wonderful for him to not be tethered to a tube.

Each part of the day gave us joy. What a blessing our family was given when we anticipated a difficult Christmas. Even though 2013 was filled with trials, God presented us with a beautifully, memorable celebration to end the year. 

Mother still can’t walk and has leukemia. Alan requires oxygen and continues to have fibrosis. Dad is no longer with us. But for one day, we rejoiced in our Christmas miracles.

Psalm 67: 1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us. (NIV)

Gracious Father, thank you for adorning your children with blessings. Amen

The Stable

Damp coldness chilled me. Clouds hovered. Trickles from the sky hit the parched earth. There was no cheery Christmas feeling in the dawn’s drabness.

Clothed in a robe and blanket, I struggled to get warm. Still I shivered. 

Memories returned me to Bethlehem. Not to the Church of the Nativity with its long lines of visitors and gaudy display in the cave room where tradition says that Jesus was born.

Instead, I remembered a simple, hillside cave. A place shepherd’s took sheep for shelter. In winter a dark, cold spot but a source of protection and refuge. 

A weary, young couple retreated there for the night too. Though smelly and chilly, it provided a sanctuary after their long journey. 

In that unlikely cave, a baby, named Jesus, entered a dark, desperate world. His cries joined the clamor and tumult of mankind. His coo’s and laughter interrupted the silence of the deep night. 

Multitudes of angels filled the sky with praises at His Presence. Unexpected, ordinary guests hurried and stumbled over rocks to see the baby in the humble stable. 

No longer did the cave seem cold and isolated. The tiny baby Jesus transformed it. Hope, joy, and holiness arrived that long ago night. 

Roman occupiers didn’t leave when Jesus came. The shepherds didn’t move to mansions with servants. Mary and Joseph didn’t experience a life of luxury. 

Though still chilly as I gazed at the gloomy morning, I knew Who warmed my heart. Who gives me peace and joy in this dark world. 

Outwardly, circumstances may not improve, but inwardly, hearts warm with His Presence.

Luke 2: 10: But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (NIV)

Holy Father, thank you for sending your Son to bring us peace and joy in our broken world. Amen

Our Special Christmas Trees

After moving into a smaller home and getting rid of many ornaments and our tree, Alan and I only had a few Christmas items out and a Molly sized tree.

Neighborhood homes blazed with lights and colorful decorations. A wreath hung on our door and poinsettias welcomed visitors on the walkway, but no lights glittered on our home or bushes. 

A few days before Christmas, dawn revealed a decorated tree behind our home. Shimmering water droplets hung on the oak near the lake. Exquisite, glistening spider webs stretched from branch to branch. Instead of manmade decorations, God’s memorable creations graced our tree.

The seven cypress trees, with light green, dark green, bronze, and rust leaves, bordered the lake and sparkled in the sunlight. Tiny fluttering birds perched as ornaments. 

We didn’t have a manmade tree or formed live one. However, we received eight unique trees specifically adorned by God.

This year for Christmas, more than ever, we are focusing on Jesus, His love, and His commandment to love one another. What better gift than that. 

With dad’s passing this year, mother’s declining health, and Alan’s disease progression, material possessions fade in importance. Relationships become paramount.

Commercialism of Christmas pressures people to buy things that aren’t needed and to spend money they don’t have. Stress pushes out the joy of the season. 

During the quietness of the dawn, God presented His gifts. 

Ephesians 2:10 For we are the product of His hand, heaven’s poetry etched on our lives, created in the Anointed Jesus, to accomplish the good works God arranged long ago. (The Voice)

Creator, thank you for your endless gifts. The most important one is Jesus. Help us to see you each day and be a light in the dark world. Amen

Grief at Christmas

Ringing bells. Sparkling trees. Jolly Christmas music. People hustling to fill shopping carts.

Ignoring decorations and cheery people, I entered the first store and focused on finding the perfect gifts for my mom who can no longer go shopping.

I searched diligently but nothing seemed right--wrong color, size, style ... Between stores, tears threatened.

With each clerk’s jovial, “How are you today?”, I mumbled, “Ok.”

What if I told them the real story? Would they even hear me or care?

Finally, tired and discouraged with hardly anything purchased, I retreated to my cocoon. When the car started, so did my tears. 

I longed for the happiness of previous Christmases. Savoring mother’s cooking at my parents’ home. Opening gifts with the whole family looking on. Mother, dad, and Alan  all robust, healthy, and enjoying the celebration. 

Grief grabbed me like a stealthy intruder. Unexpected and unwelcome. I grieved my own losses. Sadness filled me for family and friends who will face empty chairs this year too. 

In spite of the tears, I also remembered many happier times and thought of the reason for Christmas--celebrating the birth of Jesus.

He didn’t remain an adorable Christmas card baby. His life contained trials and hardships. He sorrowed and wept. His followers suffered grief as he was imprisoned, crucified, and died. But joy came on Easter at His resurrection. 

In our fallen world, grief and sorrow  blend with joy and happiness. Life on earth is not the end of the story for those who believe. Only in heaven will there be no pain or sorrow. 

Revelation 21:4

    The prophecies are fulfilled: He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. Mourning no more, crying no more, pain no more, For the first things have gone away. (The Voice)

Heavenly Father, be with us as we grieve and give us peace and joy. Amen

A Changing Mission Field

A world traveler, who ministered in places like South Sudan, Ethiopia, Jamaica, China, and Cuba, is now tethered to an oxygen condenser. Alan’s physical range has shortened but his message hasn’t. 

In his smaller mission field, he spends hours sharing his testimony with all who enter our home.  

A very private man has been transformed into a willing evangelist. Some days his voice and energy allow him to share at great length. Other times a weakened voice proclaims the Gospel in an abbreviated form. In all cases, his message is clear.

With declining health, he feels an urgency to share the message of Jesus, who is with him every day. Instead of anger or despair, a peace radiates from him even when breathing is difficult. There is no fear of death. Joy fills him as he looks ahead knowing he will be in heaven. 

His increased strength the last couple of weeks has been a gift as we prepare for my life without him. With his organizational skills, he is trying to make the process as easy as possible for me. We are relishing our time together. 

He wants to teach others valuable lessons he has learned. Love God. Accept Jesus. Appreciate loved ones and let them know. Prepare for earthly death. Enjoy every day.

We know that pulmonary fibrosis attacks the body vigorously. People around the world are praying for both of us. Pray for strength, peace, comfort, and healing. We don’t know if God will heal him here or in heaven. We can accept either one.

The love and support we have received overwhelms us. God has used you to shine in our lives.

2 Corinthians 5: 1 We know that if our earthly house-a mere tent that can easily be taken down-is destroyed, we will then live in an eternal home in the heavens, a building crafted by divine-not human-hands. (The Voice) 

Heavenly Father, thank you for constantly being with us. Help us to see and accept Your plan. Amen

Looking for God

From my front row seat on the patio, I waited. For days I had hoped for a glorious sunrise but only saw a cloud shrouded sky.

During my quiet time, I longed for a welcoming display of color. A magnificent show of God’s glory. But all I saw were gray clouds.

Then I noticed birds trilling a morning song. The mirrored lake reflected a lovely, muted picture. Delicate purple blooms peeked into the porch. Feathery cypress trees formed giant Christmas trees. 

Suddenly rain swept across the lake in sheets. Patterns formed on the water. Even in the gloomy morning, God appeared. 

With Alan’s quick decline in health and mother’s long, slow one, I wondered about God’s plan. What does he want us to learn? What are we to share? Even though I can’t figure it all out, I can look for him in each situation. I would rather have the sunshine, but I can also rejoice in the rain.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 With every sun’s rising surprise us with Your love, satisfy us with Your kindness. Then we will sing with joy and celebrate every day we are alive. (The Voice)

Heavenly Father, hold us close when we face trials. Help us see you every day even in the rain. Amen

Calmness of the Morning

A ring of shadowy trees surrounded the lake.   An unseen hand lightly brushed pink swirls across the pale blue sky. A miniature sunrise reflected on the lake.

A flurry of trills and tweets praised the artist. No painting compared to the masterpiece before me. From my cozy seat on the patio, the spectacular show captured me. 

Within moments, pink faded to white. Leaves emerged. Tiny ripples jiggled the lake. Morning had arrived.

Waiting for the sunrise calmed me. Thoughts of chores and concerns evaporated. For a few minutes, I watched God create a glorious gift for me. As the sun rose, colors muted and light appeared. I took a deep breath. The special present gave me hope and encouragement for the day and whatever it holds.

Psalm 136: 4-5 To Him who alone does marvelous wonders, for His faithful love lasts forever. Who created the heavens with skill and artistry for His faithful love lasts forever. 

(The Voice)

Psalm 131:2 Of one thing I am certain, my soul has become calm, quiet, and contented in you. Like a weaned child resting upon his mother, I am quiet. My soul is like this weaned child. O Israel, stake your trust completely in the Eternal-from this very moment and into the vast future. (The Voice)

Father, thank you for giving me signs to remind me that you are near. Thank you for your unending love. Amen.