Light of the World

 

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. ~John 8:12

We wait until Epiphany to dismantle our Christmas decorations.  I'm always sad to lose the ambient glow and warmth that the lights on both our tree and the garland on our mantle give us during this always special season.  This time, though, I take the wonderful suggestion from my friend, Jean, who says that she leaves up her artificial candles in her windows long after Christmas has passed to brighten up the long wintry nights.

Coincidentally, just this past season, I purchase a set of four battery-powered LED candles for our home (A big shout out and thanks to Linda for letting her readers know about these!).  Two of them are featured in the header photo.  Yes, Danny agrees it's a marvelous idea to keep them "burning," too.

The candle "flames" certainly appear realistic, and their lights make our living room so cozy and comforting.  I do love that they run on AA batteries and their timers really do work as advertised.  When we decide to put them away, they are easy to disassemble and store away for next winter's long, dark and dreary nights.

When we find ourselves in moments when all feels like darkness and hopelessness closing in to crush our spirits, may we turn to Jesus, allowing Him to fill us with His eternal light.  Only He has the light of life and the infinite grace to give it.

Amen!

What Are You Waiting For?

 

Wait on the Lord.  Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.  Wait, I say, on the Lord! ~Psalm 27:14

In today's fast paced society, it seems, "wait" has joined the dubious family of four-letter words.  I love to wait in line at the grocery store, at the doctor's office, on the phone, at a traffic light, said no one ever.  And unfortunately, our cravings for instant gratification, wanting our wants immediately, is incessantly fueled by our internet connections and smart phones.

I'm old enough to remember the days of land lines and television networks that went off the air at midnight.  You didn't have the option of seeing a show you missed because of other obligations you had to meet.

I learn that lesson early in my childhood years.  There is a favorite kids' show on a local station that airs every weekday at 5:00 p.m.  I never want to miss it, especially since my mom and dad are strict about how much television my brother and I are allowed to watch.  Imagine my dismay, not to mention disappointment, when we return home from a late afternoon dental appointment, only to discover I've missed it!

What do I do?  I grab our old analog clock off a side table and promptly turn the hands backward to before 5:00.  When my mother sees me in action, she snatches it back from me, saying, "Turning back the clock can't change what time it actually is.  You'll just have to wait (there's that word) until tomorrow when it comes on again."

Yes, whether or not I like it, I have to wait.

That is then, but this is now.  Today, I can record favorite shows to stream at my leisure, and pause a program in progress if I need to something else at the moment.  The best part about this is, when I do get back to it, I can race through all the mindless commercials to get to the meat of the broadcast.

Is this just another first world convenience?  You bet!  And I'll venture to say I'm not the only one reading this who doesn't enjoy 21st century perks.

But in other ways, not having to wait has its downside.  How can we learn patience unless conditions impose the need for us to wait?  And how can we wait productively when a desired time or place seems woefully out of reach?  My answer?  Prayer!

I confess, it's taken me many years to arrive at that revelation, but God . . .  Talking with and listening to Him is something for which we never have to wait.  He will strengthen our hearts and give us courage to face the challenges and wait-times we encounter each and every day.

And with the grace of patience seemingly in short supply these days, we can pray that we will once again come to realize its dignity, virtue and worth.  

So what are you waiting for?  Go to God in prayer today.  He will never put you on hold.

Amen!

Let It Snow!

 

He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes. ~Psalm 147:16

Yes!  We finally get snow!  Our last decent storm occurs in 2017.

In 2020, we do get enough of the white stuff for granddaughter, Virginia, to enjoy for a while, but it melts away all too quickly.

This time, our snow is predicted to begin falling around 7:00 a.m. Friday of last week.  I'm an early riser, so Danny insists that I wake him should this forecast be accurate.  For once, the weather gurus get it right!  Watching the snow descend softly, silently, and witnessing its rapid accumulation is magical, indeed.

This last daytime shot is what our driveway looks like.  We are at home for the long haul!

At night, Danny captures the wonder of icicles clinging to branches, illuminated by outdoor lights.

Saturday, the cloud cover and low temperatures keep melting to a minimum.  Sunday, however, the sun makes its return, and oh, how the ice-coated trees glisten and gleam gloriously.

As I write this on Sunday afternoon, I can hear the persistent drip, drip, drip of ice and snow as the sun travels in its arc across the clear blue sky.  Our fabulous snow days may not have lingered long, but our amazing memories of it will.

Amen!

Your Grace is Enough

 

For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. ~Ephesians 2:8-9

Do you choose a word for the year, or does the word choose you?  I find the latter to be true for me.

Beginning of Christmas Eve, my husband, Danny, develops cold-like symptoms, but is able to make it through the candlelight service as we are scheduled to sing at church.  His symptoms don't improve over the next several days, and we find ourselves at a reliable urgent care facility where he has gone previously.

The doctor runs several tests while we're there.  Even though Danny has no fever and his oxygen levels are good, the test comes back positive for Covid.  Oh, great!  Now, I'm worried that I should be tested, too, but the doctor reassures us that she has seen lots of married couples over the years where one will get it and the other won't.  Even though I'm having some drainage and a slightly runny nose, I decide to wait it out and see what happens in the subsequent days.

As we turn the car out of the medical office to head home, I spot a stand-alone store front with two large, eye-catching words in bright red:  GRACE CHURCH.  A retail establishment that once conducted worldly business is now inviting people into doing God's business on earth.

The word "grace" jumps out at me and gives me pause:  Could this be my word for the year, Lord?  I decide, as I do with the Covid test, to give it some time.  But I can't help but notice how often the word turns up in the first days of the new year.

My daily devotional for the year is New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp.  On January 1st and 3rd, this is what Tripp says about grace:  He (God) did this (sent Jesus) so that you would not only be forgiven for your allegiance to your own glory, but have every grace you need to live for his.  And - The God of eternity grants you his eternal grace so that you can live with eternity in view.

And sandwiched in between, on January 2nd, Pastor Bill Grandi who blogs at Living in the Shadow writes the following: The best gift ever given was God's redeeming grace.  Sin loses its power when stacked against that.

Coincidence?  I think NOT!  Grace is precisely the word God wants me to ponder throughout 2025.  I can't earn grace.  I don't deserve it.  None of us can or do.  But we can all rejoice each day, giving God the glory, knowing His grace is enough.  Always!

Great is your faithfulness, oh, God

You wrestle with the sinner's heart

You lead us by still waters and to mercy

And nothing can keep us apart.

So remember Your people

Remember Your children

Remember Your promise, oh, God

Your grace is enough, Your grace is enough

Your grace is enough for me.

~Matt Maher