What are you looking at
today? What are you looking forward to? Or perhaps, what are you trying to
bounce back from looking at? On this particular day looking forward includes peering
through my house windows and seeing snow everywhere! I love snow days!
Looking ‘backwards’
– I recall snow days when I was in elementary school that involved building
forts, snowmen, and drinking mugs of hot chocolate. So far this morning I have
relived the hot chocolate part of my childhood snow day memories, not sure I will
venture out to build a snowmanJ
This past Sunday I had the
opportunity to hear Pastor Todd talk about taking a windshield type of view at
life versus living life focused on images in the rear view mirror. Hearing his
message sparked thoughts about how I live my life. Currently, I am basking in
the joy of looking forward to all the blessings our children will bring us when
they are born in 6 months or less. Due to answered prayer, I find it easier to
forget about the rear view mirror memories of my life, and have been able to focus
more on the present and what the future holds for me/us.
However, windshield or a
forward looking type of attitude has not always been the case for me. During
the four year time of waiting, some days were more difficult than others to
understand God’s timing and plan for us. When miscarriages kept surfacing in
our path, we got discouraged over and over again. It was during that season of my
life that I often used a rear view mirror type of mentality and felt sorry for
myself that I did not have what I wanted; and that I had to go through several
losses. I think that is why Pastor Todd’s message hit me so hard Sunday –
because I used to struggle with the concept of not having what I desired. I
asked Cole after church if we would still be in the waiting process – if we
would be windshield type of viewers. Neither one of us could actually respond,
due to the emotions tied to our new joy and our former ‘suffering.’
We fully understand that
God is good all the time and that He will bring us joy and happiness, as well
as trials and sufferings. Currently, we are enjoying a time of joy and
celebration. For those of you who are enduring a season of waiting, suffering,
or trial/s, do not lose hope. As Christians, we can endure pain or loss and
still see hope in it. This is possible because of our belief in Jesus’
sacrifice, and our trust that we will be with Him and our loved ones someday. This
is not always easy to hear, but is true. I appreciated Jerry Bridges thoughts
on hope and the verses that go along with it:
“God never allows pain without a purpose in the lives of His children. He never
allows Satan, nor circumstances, nor any ill-intending person to afflict us
unless He uses that affliction for our good. God never wastes pain. He always causes it to work together for our ultimate
good, the good of conforming us more to the likeness of His Son” (see Romans 8:28-29 28 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. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many
brothers and sisters.)
This
holiday season I pray that you are able to peer through your snow filled
windshield and bask in the life that we have because of the little baby boy
born long ago in Bethlehem. Merry Christmas from all three of us!
Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
ANGELS WE HAVE HEART ON HIGH
- Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains. - Refrain:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! - Shepherds,
why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song? - Come
to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King. - See
Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHkroAFnQwc
– sung by Chris Tomlin
