In the Garden

“When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.  Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.  So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees.  They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.”  John 18:1-3

We know the rest.  Jesus is arrested, bound and led to Caiaphas to be questioned.  He never denied who he was.  Just over the top of the Mount of Olives, Jesus could have been into the wilderness and gone from sight in 20 minutes.  But He did not run.  He knew what was ahead of Him.  When Peter attacked the high priest’s servant in His defense, ‘Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away!  Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”’  John 18:11 

What stands today, at the base of the Mount of Olives, is a garden perhaps similar to the one Christ was arrested in that night.  Olive trees dating back to the crusades remind us that what was rooted so long ago still remains significant today. 

Gesthmane means olive press, a reminder of the weight Jesus bore for us in that place and on the cross.  The garden looks out across the Kidron Valley and onto the temple in Jerusalem. 

There is a church detailed with stunning mosaics and glass.  The windows are constructed out of purple alabaster glass to give the constant feeling of midnight when you are inside. 

To be there is to feel a strange mix of beauty, weight and contemplation. 

At so many points along Christ’s path we can imagine what it would have been like to have walked beside Him then, in the days of His ministry on earth.  Praises and acclamation and miracles mixed with growing voices of doubt as He spoke the words and truth of God.  But at this point, more than any other, we feel the weight of what that meant, His willingness to say yes.  Because at this point there could be no other outcome for Jesus, and He knew it.  He knew where He was headed, what decisions would be made, what fate He would suffer. 

What midnights have you come to?  With a weight that seems too heavy to bear?  What fear, what anxiety, what doubt troubles you when it’s God’s voice you’re trying to hear? 

Amidst the sorrow that fills us in these gardens of midnight, when the weight of what we must carry seems to be crushing us, we are not alone.  Our willingness to say yes sometimes comes at a price.  But never without God’s glory. 

When we drink the cup the Father has given us, we say yes to His Kingdom, yes to His glory, yes to the sacrifice Christ made for us that night.  We might yearn for a way to turn back, but we won’t.  In the garden it is midnight, but hold fast, friends.  Because Sunday’s coming.

XOXO…Kelly

Everywhere

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says; "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher that all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)"  Ephesians 4:7-10

The whole universe.  Every corner, every crack.  Everywhere.

The other day I got on to Blake for saying something rude to his brother.  He was sitting in the farthest seat of the van, way in the back.  I, of course, was driving.  So instead of just obeying me, he continued on with whispers.  I have to hand it to him.  They were pretty soft whispers, but I knew what he was doing.  So again I fussed at him.  "Mom," he said, "How do you always hear me?  Do you have special ears or something?"

It's not at all unethical that I let my children believe I have extra special powers for hearing, detecting lies, etc.  After all, this is what I'm dealing with....

In actuality they are just terrible at sneaking things, but as they mature and grow I know that will change and they'll get better at deceiving me.  So I'm hoping a little awe-filled fear now might help to deter them later in life.  We'll see. 

But back to the story....

"Blake," I replied, "I'm everywhere."

It's one of the many things about God's nature that I find so comforting....his everywhere-ness.  That as my parent, as my comforter, as my deliverer, God is everywhere.  There is no corner of this earth that His spirit does not dwell, and not just because He created it, but because, through Jesus, he inhabited it. 

Do you believe that?  In God's everywhere-ness?  That no matter how far you've strayed or how dark the day, that He is there?  Do you see him in the office where you work, in the rooms of your children's school?  Do you feel him around you where you're sitting right now?  The everywhere-ness of God. 

Lord, let this earth feel your presence.  Where it is light, where it is dark.  Where it is wide, where it is narrow.  Soften the hearts of those who need to know you are there.  Let them turn to you.  And give courage to the rest of us to see you, proclaim you and serve you wherever we are.  Because you're there, God.  In every corner, every crack.  Everywhere.  Amen.
 

Greater.

1 John 4:4...."the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world"

Happy New Year!  That still counts, right?  I realize we're almost halfway through the month.  How are everyone's resolutions going?  This year I did in fact make a resolution, though most years I do not.  I feel like life is challenging enough day to day to add things like goals to it.  But in case you did set yourself up for improvement this year I will pray for you!  It's not always so easy to stick to your guns.  Sometimes we feel like we've been defeated before we even get out of the gate.  And in such times as these, it's helpful to remember the words of 1 John. 

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world....You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 

False prophets come in all shapes and sizes, but the one thing they all have in common is getting between you and what God wants for you.  And you are worth far more than what they have to offer you.

Our worship leader shared today that his sister has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and will be at MD Anderson alongside his grandson, who is receiving treatment for a brain tumor.  It would be easy to despair at something like this, but Robert simply says, As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, not the enemy, not the cancer.  Greater indeed.

Wherever you are, greater is He.

Whatever your struggle, greater is He.

Your anxiety, your worry, your doubt....greater is He.

Resolutions are hard, but keep the good work coming, friends.

XOXO...Kelly
 

Did the weather not get the memo??

In case you're not in Houston this Christmas Eve, it's 80 degrees today.  The news bulletin on TV this morning said that today might be the "warmest Christmas ever" with people all over the country experiencing historically high temperatures for this time of year (somewhere Al Gore's head is exploding).  Did the weather not get the memo that it's Christmastime?  Maybe not, but Christmas is here anyway.  Fortunately for us, God's providence does not depend on the weather.

Maybe the weather isn't your issue this season.  Maybe your mood didn't get the Christmastime memo either.  Maybe your checkbook missed it as well.  Maybe your children aren't old enough to understand "peace on earth" and are currently in the other room taking turns shoving each other off the couch until someone cries.  (No??  Just mine?  Huh.)

But Christmas has come anyway.  "It came without ribbons, it came without tags!  It came without packages, boxes or bags!"  Despite our circumstances Christmas comes anyway.  CHRIST comes anyway.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."  John 3:16-17

And saved we are!  Saved from the darkness, the evil murmurs in the shadows that tell us we aren't good enough, don't have enough and aren't doing it right.  Saved from the burden of having to produce a perfect holiday and instead just rejoicing that we have perfect Savior.  For the fullness of God's love comes to us anyway, wherever we are, in whatever state our hearts might be in. 

Warm Christmas wishes to you, sweet family and friends....literally! 

XOXO....Kelly

 
 

Donald, the Large Inflatable Dachshund

Joy is a 6.5' inflatable dachshund left anonymously in your front yard by a wonderful friend.  I mean, seriously, whose spirits could not immediately be lifted when driving by our house?!  Flamingos, a pink moose, a manger silhouette and now this.

You're welcome, next door neighbor, whose house is currently on the market.  Just a little something extra to offer prospective buyers....us as neighbors.  I really should charge you some commission, but I won't.  It's the holidays after all.  It is in giving we truly receive....

A few years ago, the evening following the Sandy Hook shooting in CT, someone knocked on our front door.  It had been a horrible long and sad day, every news story on the TV, radio and internet related to the unspeakable tragedy.  The sorrow was unshakeable.  When I opened the door I found a note card that simply read, "Thank you for being such a blessing by displaying your nativity scene!"  We have a family in the neighborhood that distributes these notes each year.  I don't know if they had planned to do it this evening or if the events of the day caused them to make a last minute decision. Either way, that knock on the door, that note, that message....they will forever remind me of the importance of hope. 

I've said it before....YOUR FAITH DOES MATTER.  And that others see it matters even more. 

"THE PEOPLE WALKING IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT;
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned....
For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."  Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

The whole great light part kind of reminds you of my front yard, right?  Ha!  No, seriously.  Maybe a little.  I won't get to talk to every single person that drives by my house, so something's got to carry the message for me.  Why not my yard display?  Why not the way I greet people when I walk into a store or order food at a restaurant?  Why not the message on my Christmas cards?  Why not hope, hope, undeniable, unshakeable, unending hope in Jesus Christ everywhere I go, in everything I do every day of my life!

Don't let a single moment go by today that wastes the hope of Christmas.  Don't miss the chance to show others that in this dark, dark world a Light is still shining.  From a manger in Bethlehem so long ago to the streets and homes in your neighborhood today, hope is still alive and well and it is catching.

And if Donald the Large Inflatable Dachshund has anything to do with it, that's exactly how it shall be.

XOXO....Kelly

Steps

Kevin and I got Fitbits a few weeks ago.  (In case you haven't heard of them, they're all the rage in the health and fitness world.)  We've been carefully watching our steps, trying each day to reach our personal goals.  The day after Thanksgiving we went on a long family walk (no pun intended) together.  About 20 minutes into the walk I noticed that Kevin had twice the steps I did.  This made no sense!  We'd walked the same distance together.  It should have been more equal.  Kevin asked if I'd been swinging my arms at all, that sometimes it doesn't read a step without your arm movement.  Well, no, I had not been swinging my arms....I was pushing the stroller!  You mean to tell me that all of the times I'm pushing a stroller or carrying something my steps don't get counted because my arms aren't swinging??!!  Do you know how many times I'm pushing a stroller or carrying something?  Good Lord!!!

As you can imagine, I was pretty frustrated.  All that walking for nothing!  How many other steps have I taken that haven't been recorded?  Why even walk?!  What's the point if it isn't going to show up on your fancy little wristband doohickie?

Well, of course I know there's a point.  All that walking is just as good whether it shows up on my Fitbit or not.  It's just nice to have a little feedback, a little affirmation that you're doing the right thing.  (Feel free to fill in the blank with your own personal struggle here...raising children, changing jobs, buying a house, helping a friend, etc., etc., etc.)

And yet, sometimes the feedback we crave most dearly is the very thing we've got to let go of.  Those challenges met in God's name are also going to succeed in God's time, which we all know is not our own.  Sometimes we get to see the fruits of our labor.  Sometimes we don't.  But each step is just as important, whether the world counts it or not.

"....He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 

Hang in there all you exercisers, parents, teachers, friends, spouses and the like.  Your steps count. 

XOXO....Kelly

Today I threw a fit.

I'm a big fan of a well-timed fit, the kind that only comes after you've exercised a considerable amount of self-control and blessing-counting, but, despite your greatest efforts, all you can do is scream.  I had such a fit earlier today.  I have become decreasingly discouraged about the way something in my life is going lately and finally I lost it.  Fortunately only Parker was home to witness it and he was pretty much outside the entire time. 

No, I don't want a hug.  Please don't tell me to take a deep breath.  And I don't care if you have a mixture of essential oils that will help calm me down.  All I want to do is scream.  And this is why....

Because being grateful is good.  Having self-control is good.  Choosing joy is good.  But none of those things can I do on my own.  None of those things can I do without the grace of God.  And, for me, throwing a fit is realizing that I need that grace.  That I'm human.  That I have selfish, human feelings.  That I do not have it together all the time. 

So I cry and I yell and then I pray.  I pray for forgiveness for the ways my heart and my emotions betray His will for me.  I pray for the things I try to take into my own hands instead of trusting Him.  I pray for the blessings I overlook that come from adversity.  I pray for my gratefulness to be rooted in Him because that's the only way it's going to last.  I pray until my sorrow and anger has subsided and His spirit has filled me once again.

I am grateful, not for what I have, but because of what God is able to do with what I have...  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

I have self-control because He is in control...  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8

I know joy because I find it in Him...  "For the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Fit-throwing isn't pretty.  It's not admirable.  It's one of those things we usually reserve for toddlers in the middle of the Target toy aisle.  But I guess that's the point.  No matter how old we get or mature in our faith, God is still our Father.  We will always be His children.  And we need to be pulled back to His side from time to time, when we've strayed too far or tried to do too much on our own.  I'm thankful God is more merciful to me than I am to my own fit-throwing toddler.  I guess a little grace in that department wouldn't hurt either.  But with the grace of God I will pull myself back together and regain a little composure.  After all, Elf on the Shelf season is just around the corner and I'm gonna need a whole lot of patience for that.... 

XOXO....Kelly