Delightful Delicacy

If my calculations are correct, tonight will mark the eighth time I've read through the Bible. Impossible, I thought, years ago when we embarked upon a plan to complete it during a discipleship course called Master Life. Many failed attempts followed. But somewhere along the line of my life, I began to make progress, and what had seemed to be choking became instead gasping. Oh, it's life! It's food! I must have it! Just as we wouldn't think of going a day without remembering to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, we find that we can't make it through those same twenty-four hours without feasting on the most phenomenal words that have ever been written. Start savoring His supply, and you'll always want to come back for more.

Baby Jesus

On Christmas morning, I hurried down the stairs with a nativity that I wanted to set up on a table before we got the girls out of bed. I carefully placed Joseph, Mary, three wise men, a camel and two sheep around the focal point, baby Jesus. Then, John came in the room carrying the huge box that held a Radio Flyer wagon, and he set it down right next to the table. Covered in a variety of wrapping paper and topped with ribbon and bow, it seemed to scream, "Look at me; look at me!" It was time. We opened the door to the girls' bedroom, and as we like to lovingly say, "set the captives free." "Come see what Mommy and Daddy got you to celebrate Jesus' birthday," we exclaimed with enthusiasm. Jesse ran into the room and was instantly captivated. By baby Jesus. And Joseph and Mary. And the wise men and camel. Even the two sheep. It took a while, but eventually we got her to open the box. Oh, Lord, how my heart longs for these girls to be ever so captivated with You. May it be so, forever.

Falling Short

She's a bit rough around the edges. Foul language. Poor parenting skills. Secular worldview. And such were some of you. She doesn't know the right words to say to fit in or the right convictions to hold to be held in high esteem. And such were some of you. She doesn't try to pretend to be something she's not and that can result in an uncomfortable silence in a group where everyone knows how to act. And such were some of you. And, in all honesty, I grow quite uncomfortable myself. Until I remember, and such were I. Help us, Lord, to remember that before we were washed, before we were sanctified, before we were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, such were all of us. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)