Christmas choirs sing, “Mary, did you know?” As she gazed on her newborn infant, kissed the soft curve of his cheek, smiled at his lips, not long removed from breast, sucking in sleep…did she know? Did she kneel shrouded in the shadow of the cross? Throughout the sanctuary young mothers shed tears while cradling their babes to breast – empathetic hearts aching. 

Is it this shadow that stirs up melancholy even whilst singing “Joy to the World?” 

Statistics scream the sad story – though Hope is born this day, too many plunge beneath the weight of world weariness. Depression and suicides surge while the babe revisits the crèche. Nostalgia threatens to choke life, but for what do we yearn? What do we long for as we gather with candles lit to praise the newborn King? 

Could it be this longing foreshadows life glimpsed, yet not grasped? Shadow-to-shadow mystery waits to be revealed. 

Come, world-weary travelers. Don’t pity the babe or His mother. Though the shadow of the cross lingers, the Son will rise. Pause…consider His suffering, the price paid for our sins. Now, receive the gift! Walk on in the knowledge of Easter morn – the Son has risen! “Joy to the World,” indeed!

That tragic morning, my radio and TV were silent. I was busy getting ready to attend Bible study followed by work.  The telephone rang, and someone I knew to be prone to hyperbole shouted at me to turn on my TV: America was under attack!  I rolled my eyes. Unbelieving,  I brushed her off – thinking that whatever had happened, it couldn’t be as catastrophic as she made it sound.

Arriving at Bible study, I realized how wrong I was.  As the few details known were discussed, I was in awe of our God and reminded that He is sovereign…that nothing takes Him by surprise.

The key scripture of our study that morning was Psalm 27:1, The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? Indeed, of whom shall we be afraid? The terrorist bringing murder to our soil?

As the day wore on, I was secluded in my church office with no visual images of the attacks – only the reports heard on Moody radio. The facts of the tragedy were broadcast, but intermingled with those word pictures of chaos and loss I heard hope. I heard reassurances that God was still on His throne.

When I finally saw what the world had been looking at all day long, a sense of unreality gripped me. Could this have really happened on American soil?

Fear takes hold when security is threatened. For those who placed their sense of security in America, September 11, 2001 brought astonishment and despair. There is comfort for those who choose to place their faith in God. I returned to Psalm 27 many times in the days following 9/11, and with David I’ve been able to say: I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD, be strong and take heart, and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27:13, 14)

Where have you placed your faith?

In the past, my friend had taken the stand that he would not suffer abuse, and he’d given as good as he got. While this approach often caused the caller to simmer down, it never extinguished the flame. The issue may have been resolved, but both my friend and the caller hung up feeling disgruntled.

My friend’s new approach is to patiently wait out the flood of hot complaint, and then quietly suggest a solution or offer advice. Amazingly, this approach seems to miraculously turn venom-spewing lunatics into reasonable men and women who usually end up thanking him for his help.

I couldn’t help but smile. This approach really is nothing new. Proverbs 15:1 counsels that “a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Thinking back on this conversation another biblical passage came to mind: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22). In other words: Just Do It!

All the wisdom of Scripture really does us no good until we put it into practice. Reflecting back on what my friend shared I see how putting God’s word into practice bolsters our faith. He is proved trustworthy and true,  and we reap the benefits of His wisdom.

Does a time come to mind when your faith was encouraged through doing what you heard? I’d love to hear your story.

With evil intent, Saul, God’s anointed, relentlessly pursued David. David fled for his life, hiding in desert caves. While David and his men hid in the caves of En Gedi, God delivered Saul into David’s hands.

As King Saul relieved himself at the mouth of the cave, farther back in the shadows David’s men urged him to strike. Although he had the opportunity to put an end to his troubles, David did not kill Saul. Instead, he silently approached and cut off the corner of his robe.

Returning to his men, David was conscience-striken. Why? Though he spared the king’s life, cutting off the corner of his robe was a symbol of disloyalty and rebellion. Now, you may think David had ever right to rebel against this murderous king, but David feared God. He understood that until God put him on the promised throne, Saul was king by God Almighty’s appointment. David understood that trying to hasten God’s plan by killing Saul would have only brought down God’s displeasure.

Learning to wait on the Lord is a difficult lesson. In the midst of troubles we wonder, “Has God forsaken me?” But just as God fulfilled his promise to David, he still fulfills his promises today. There is no trial, whether brought by man or circumstance, that is beyond His loving care.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the problems. Don’t take matters into your hands. Wait on the Lord and remember, Jesus told us that “in this world you will have trouble. But, take heart! I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33b)

I’d made the trip from home that morning in a car packed with all the odds and ends of life to drop my middle son at TIU. He’s beginning his final year of undergrad study. I’d made the same trip only two weeks before with his younger brother – our athlete. The youngest is entering his freshman year of study with a football scholarship and eagerness to prove himself on the field.

 After checking-in his brother, our football player joined us in unpacking the car. As usual he was hungry, so we called their older brother and invited him to join us for lunch. The oldest, a graduate of TIU, was finishing up the week as an admissions counselor before moving on to student teaching.

It was good to have all three together again.

On the road to the restaurant, the boys joked and laughed – mirroring their father’s sense of humor. Through hearty portions of food and the ride back to campus, the banter continued. Too soon it was time for mom to head home.

I watched them walk away together across the grass…my guys, my sons. Do they know how proud I am? Do they realize how grateful I am to the God who reached out to me while they were still young? I wonder if they recognize the grace that brought them, all three, to this place.

 Amazing grace! how sweet the sound…

 Bittersweet the sight – grown-up men where my heart remembers little boys, yet I wouldn’t call the years back. Instead, I choose to look forward to all God has yet to do – confident of the future because I have God’s ear and He holds my heart.

“Karen, Karen, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.”

 When I take time to listen, I hear that Mary chose the better thing. In those quiet moments, I understand that yes, she surely did! And when I finally put aside all my plans, my worries, my never-ending to-do list – Jesus is there, waiting patiently for me to take my place at his feet. I let the list go. I drink in His presence and in the peace that settles over me, I am refreshed…rested.

 Funny, when I stop my scurrying and rest awhile with my Jesus, somehow what is necessary gets done.

This is not the first time the LORD has brought this idea to my attention. Recently, I  jotted down 2 Chronicles 20:22 on a notecard, so I would return to it and consider it beyond the first read. It says: When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah; so they were routed.

Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was informed that a huge army was coming against him. Though alarmed, he did the right thing – he sought the LORD. The Spirit of the LORD spoke through the Levite, Jahaziel. He told Jehoshaphat not to fear; the battle belonged to the LORD. The king shared this insight with his people, and he sent men ahead of his army to “sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness” (vs21). 

Did you catch that? The worshippers were sent AHEAD of the army. God’s help came in response to the people’s praise!

Reflecting on this story, I’ve been challenged to maximize the praise in my life. I’ve pulled the almost-forgotten hymnal out of the piano bench and given it a place with my Bible, my journal, and pen.

Some mornings, I prime this time sitting with Jesus by offering up a hymn before ever opening my Bible. Other days, the Spirit speaks a few words from a well-known song in response to my prayers or thoughts as I read the Word. Every day, I’m finding this new practice empowering. It sets the tone for my attitude.

Then, going about my day, I actively look for opportunities to be thankful. It’s really not so difficult to see God’s blessing all around! How about you, friend? What are you thankful for today?