Simple Christmas??

He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

Isaiah 40:29-31(Message)

A Simple Christmas?? The thought from our sermon series kept battering my mind while I attended one activity after another. Every one brought enjoyment. Singing in our community’s holiday show. With my granddaughters, assisting parents as they selected gifts for their children at our church’s Christmas House. Shopping for gifts and collecting them at the clubhouse for various local charities. Ushering at my church for two presentations of a Christmas show. Buying and wrapping Christmas gifts for family and friends. A delicious Christmas lunch with my Bible study group. 

            “Slow the season so we don’t miss the reason,” from Pastor Josh’s messages admonished me. 

            I loved everything I was doing and knew the activities touched people too.  But I certainly wasn’t slowing down. 

            A cough began. Fatigue set in. With no energy, all I wanted to do was stay in my pj’s wrapped in my fuzzy blanket on my couch. That is what I did for four days. 

            Instead of attending my church, I worshiped online and then watched a series of other services on TV. While friends celebrated at Christmas parties, I drank tea and saw holiday movies. 

            At first, I bemoaned my forced isolation. Then I embraced the quiet time. Although I had one phone call and multiple text messages, most days were spent in total seclusion. Dreary weather made my home feel cozy and inviting. 

            One morning I laughed at my involuntary solitude. When my pursuits increased instead of decreasing, my illness stopped me. Only when I got a nasty cold, did I listen to reason. Then God got my attention. 

            The days at home were not part of my plan, but I needed the rest.  

            Mary and Joseph had plans change dramatically after hearing from the angel. They could have ignored the news and proceeded on their own ways. However, each of them listened and accepted God’s way despite the struggles, doubts and questions of their own and of their families and neighbors. 

            Often, we know what we should do but think our plans are more important than God’s. We can remember the young couple two thousand years ago who put aside their own arrangements, depended on God, and were part of the most magnificent birth ever. 

            Our Lord can use us in amazing ways when we depend on Him and not ourselves. 

Loving Father, sometimes you have to use drastic measures to slow us down. Help us listen and accept Your plans for our lives. Amen

The Wonder and Anticipation of Advent

 

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

Luke 1:26-34 (NIV)

Mary pondered the angel Gabriel’s proclamation to her. His visit seemed like a dream. His announcement went over and over in her mind. A baby? She would carry the Son of God in her body? How could that be?

            She finally believed the unthinkable but wasn’t ready to be a mother. Yes, she was betrothed to Joseph but not yet married. How would she break the news to him? 

            Gabriel gave her other unimaginable news. Her relative, Elizabeth, would soon have a baby even though she was past child bearing age. Two miracles. 

            All night long a series of questions occupied her young mind. Would Joseph believe her implausible news? Would he divorce her? Would she be stoned for having an out of wedlock child? Sleep eluded her for hours.  

            Finally, she realized if God sent an angel with such a wondrous message, surely, He would protect her and the baby. Then she rested in His peace.  

            At dawn, Mary arose from her bed and began packing for a journey into the hill country to see Elizabeth.  

            When Mary reached Zechariah and Elizabeth’s home, she called out loudly, “Mary, blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. When I heard your voice, my baby leaped with joy.”

            Elizabeth’s greeting confirmed the angel’s announcement. The two expectant mothers embraced. Concerns slipped away. Joyfully, they shared their experiences. 

            For three months, Mary stayed with Elizabeth as they shared precious moments. Both young and old experienced God’s favor and love while they prepared for their sons to be born. 

            Mary and Elizabeth questioned the news they received, they accepted it and joyfully waited. It was a time of wonder and anticipation. 

Life doesn’t always go the way we plan either. Even when good news comes, there may be concerns, questions, and a time of waiting and preparation. 

Advent is a time of waiting and anticipation. But we often become overloaded with concerns about buying gifts, having the right decorations, preparing the most delicious meals and creating the most spectacular Christmas ever. During Advent, we need to take time to relax, read the Bible about the coming Savior and focus on the wonder of Jesus’ miraculous birth. 

Father, what a wondrous gift you gave to the world with your son, Jesus. Show us how to open our hearts and share his love with the world. 

TheAmen.

Read Luke 1and 2 to get more of the wonderful story. 

 

The Last Butterfly

The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
    the plans of his heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
    the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

Psalm 33:11-12 (NIV)

Butterfly cages waited on the patio to be scrubbed and stored for the winter. Their job done for the year. 

            Since spring, I diligently searched often for rice sized butterfly eggs on the underside of milkweed leaves. My cages became incubators after I carefully placed the leaves inside and waited for eggs to hatch. 

Emerging caterpillars kept me busy supplying more and more milkweed for their voracious appetites. When numerous larvae filled the cages, I searched the garden for food several times a day. Along with gathering milkweed, I had to constantly clean their cages of unpleasant waste so they would not get sick. 

The work, though sometimes difficult and demanding, brought pleasure when I watched their progress and change into beautiful butterflies. 

Although I wanted to continue caring for them, the remaining ones needed to migrate to a warmer climate. Florida ones only go to southern Florida and not the longer trip to Mexico. 

Last year, I continued assisting them later into the year. Then cold weather hit and I worried about their survival. Research said that their food source should be cut back in October so they would migrate. 

This year I waited until the last day of October to prune most of the milkweed plants. However, a few chrysalises remained at the top of my cage with a small number of larvae still eating. Each day, I gathered enough food for the late bloomers. 

They hatched one at a time. When the last chrysalis darkened, the time of emerging drew near. 

I had mixed feeling as I opened the habit for the last time of the year. The beauty of the creature flying on its own brought joy knowing I had a part in its life. However, there was a touch of sadness knowing I would miss their presence.

Parents love and care for children for years and years. We watch them develop and mature. Then one day it is time to release them into the world. Mixed feelings come then too. We pray we have nurtured and taught them well. Instilled values and the love of God so they can thrive. 

Like my butterflies, we have to let our children spread their wings and soar. 

Loving Father, just as we love our children and try to teach them the right way to live, You do the same for all of us. You are with our children even when we aren’t.

Amen

ABC thankfulness

 Join me in thankfulness today. Think of something you are thankful for with each letter of the alphabet. I started doing it with names but decided I would do another list which has turned out to be more difficult. Let me know what your list looks like. Have a blessed Thanksgiving. 

A-apples (keeps the doctor away)

B-butterflies (I released 119 this year)

C-caterpillars (that become butterflies but not all caterpillars)

D-drains (that keep homes dry both inside and out)

E-elm trees

F-flowers (ones in my yard and those given to me)

G-grains (to make bread and many other foods)

H-hats (for cold and sun)

I-ice (for drinks not on roads)

J-jelly (I couldn't find any today when I wanted some for bread a friend brought me)

K-kitchen (place I can work)

L-lake (my special retreat)

M-money to get what I need and share with others

N-night (a time to rest)

O-oranges (Florida fruit)

P-popcorn (when I am watching tv)

Q-quiet times (to spend with God)

R-relaxation (time to destress and be thankful)

S-stamps (to mail cards to friends)

T-turkey (looking forward to some today)

U-umbrellas ( to stay dry-Molly doesn't think we need them since God gave us the rain and we should enjoy it)

V-venn diagrams (I enjoyed using them when I was teaching)

W-water ( for drinking, bathing, swimming--many people don't have clean water)

X-x-rays  (to find broken bones and other internal things)

Y-years ( mine keep piling up so I have lots more to do in time I have left)

Z-Zoom (a way to keep in touch when we can't be together)

Have fun thinking and being thankful. 

An Animal Under My Tree

 An Animal Under My Tree

Rebecca Carpenter

November 17, 2022

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

“Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh!” I kept talking out loud to myself as dawn revealed the lake.

            Before dawn, I sat on my patio reading devotional books and my Bible. As the sun rose, a dim lake emerged along with shadowy trees on my shore. 

            My eyes swept the landscape a few times as darkness disappeared. But I kept reading and ignored my surroundings. 

            When I finally looked up, an indistinct shape blotted out plants near the cypress trees. Then a creature turned toward the patio probably because of my light. He stared at me and I stared back. For a few moments, we both stood like statues. I wanted to grab my phone to take a picture but it was inside the house. 

            When the adolescent black bear decided he had enough of gazing at me, he loped off towards my neighbor’s house. I walked outside to see where he went but also kept looking behind me to make sure there was no mama or papa trailing him. Then I decided I really didn’t need to follow him and returned to my patio. 

            All the while, I kept repeating, “Oh, my gosh!”

            At our previous home, we saw bears more frequently. But at this house, I seen a large bear across the lake only once several years ago. Never only a few feet from me. 

            The wonder of God’s creation fills me with awe. From microscopic to mammoth, there are plants and animals of all kinds. 

            If I had not looked up at that moment, I would have missed an opportunity to see a bear. How many times have I not noticed marvelous gifts nearby. 

Many activities are merely distractions that prevent me from experiencing miracles and opportunities around me. When I take time to carefully observe, I have seen glistening spider webs, sparkles on the lake, a cloud filled sky, a Monarch butterfly in my cage, deer across the lake, the dancing of a child… 

Enjoy life and take time to have an “Oh, my gosh!” moment. 

Father, help us take time to notice wonderful moments and opportunities that come into our lives. Don’t let us be distracted by things that don’t matter. 

Amen.

Isolated in the Storm

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 46:1-3,10-11 (NIV)

 An eerie silence filled my home when I awoke at 3am. Weather forecasters predicted it would reach my area between midnight and 2am so I thought I must have slept through it. That was a surprise since I am normally a light sleeper. 

Even though I felt thankful to have missed the storm, sleep would not return. Then a blast of wind hit my window. Rain pelted windows and the roof. Seconds later, a full-fledged storm assaulted my home. Wrapped snuggly under the covers, I listened to the rampage outside,     

            Finally, I arose and turned on the weather to see what was going on. A team of weather forecasters issued warnings, explained maps and relayed disaster reports. I was definitely in the middle of a hurricane. 

            Because I didn’t think the storm would be difficult in my inland county, I didn’t go to my son’s house during the storm like I had done previously. That was a mistake.

            The storm raged in the blackness but the outside light only cast brightness on a small area. Water washed over the screen and onto the floor of my lanai. No damage to furniture or my butterfly cage. 

            After a few minutes of dire news, my focus shifted to my devotional time. At first, I couldn’t focus with the roaring wind and thrashing rain. In the middle of the chaos of the hurricane, another storm struck me. Loneliness charged into my home. Tears flowed as memories of Alan surfaced. His presence had given me security and peace but he was gone. Grief ambushed me like another hurricane. I was alone. 

            At such an early hour, I didn’t want to call anyone so I added posts on Facebook. It gave me a small sense of connection. A friend sent me a test message. We were both alone and not thrilled about it. Her comfort and support helped. 

            Because of the circumstances, I knew my blood pressure might be up. It was so I took an emergency pill which usually causes tiredness. 

            When I returned to my devotions for the day, a Scripture stood out. Psalm 46. The words spoke to my heart. Tears slowed and stopped. 

            After my eyes kept closing, I returned to bed for a nap. It helped. Messages on Facebook and on my phone lifted my spirits. I returned messages and checked on others who were alone. A couple of hours later, my bed called again. Another nap revived me. 

            Wind and rain continued as I watched the news, ate and checked my emails. Amazingly, I took another nap. After the third one, I felt good. Loneliness flew away like the wind.  Between rains, I ventured outside to check on two butterflies in a cage and make sure nothing was amiss on my roof. 

            The storm came with no one sitting on the couch beside me, but God provided His Word to comfort me in my distress. Many messages and phone calls reminded me of the people who love and care for me. Just as I made it through the recent storm, God has been with me in many other kinds of storms. 

Loving Father, thank you for providing just what I needed as I faced uncertainty and loneliness. Be with those who have lost so much in the hurricanes. Help us remember You love us.

Amen

 

 

Hearing the Voice

Nevertheless, I am continually with You: You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel and afterward receive me to glory.

Psalm 73:23-24 (NKJV)

A curtain of black covered my patio. A variety of sounds pierced the blackness. Crickets hummed. A small plane nearby slowly disappeared. Leaves rustled. 

            Although I saw nothing beyond my lanai, when I listened intently, I recognized some of the familiar sounds.  

            Did I hear raindrops? Was a squirrel scampering through the oak tree? In the darkness, I wasn’t sure. 

As night turned to day, light illuminated the sky and peeked through the trees. 

Trees swayed. A plane twinkled in the emerging sky. Birds flew across the lake. I could see and not just imagine what was there. 

In my busy life, how often do I hear God? Do I focus on the Holy Spirit so that I am confident of what I hear? Or do I only notice Him when I can see the creation He has made? How often do I miss Him? 

When I read the Bible and pray regularly, my mind and heart are more open to how God is working in my life. The nudge from the Holy Spirit is more apparent to me. His guidance instructs me. 

Loving Father, be patient as we learn to listen and obey you each day. Amen