Tuesday With Teri

This is week four of our advent celebration.  This week we light the candle of joy.

          This week I’ve been blessed to witness a lot of intense happiness.  I attended the wedding of one of my nieces in northern Florida.  Her happiness was radiantly obvious as she walked down the aisle.  My sister–in-law was incredibly happy to see the end result of her love filled efforts to provide the perfect wedding day for her daughter.   We spent time with loved ones, enjoyed special holiday treats and exchanged some gifts.   It was truly a happy time.  

          Upon our return home Sunday we stopped and picked up a special Christmas surprise we had pre-arranged for our son, an adorable puppy.  Our son was so happy!  So was the puppy as she quickly snuggled against her new owner’s neck.  There were so many reasons to be happy I could not begin to list them all!   

          Happiness can be fleeting.  The newlywed couple will no doubt always love each other, but they may not always be happy.  My sister-in-law may find her happiness fall away as she sorts through the aftermath of the wedding events.   And the puppy…well, let’s just say it is inevitable that we will not be happy with her from time to time.  She is adorable, but has already decided our Christmas tree skirt is a good blanket and pine needles are fun to chew on.  I was definitely not happy to find her dragging one of my shoes around the house.

It is easy to confuse happiness with joy.  Unlike happiness, JOY is not fleeting

          Joy is the result of God’s gifts of hope, peace and love.   We have hope for eternity in heaven because God sent His son.  We have peace on earth because through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we are reconciled with God through forgiveness of our sin.  We know true love because it is God’s love for us, full of grace and mercy, which provides a way for forgiveness through His son Jesus Christ.    Because of all this we can experience JOY. 

          Joy is not rooted in circumstance; therefore circumstances cannot take it away.  It is the praise on the lips of a woman whose marriage is in crisis.  Joy is the smile of an exhausted single mother ushering her daughters into adulthood.  Joy is the song of one who is hurting.  Joy is kindness bestowed on those who do not deserve it.  Joy is the sound of laughter among a family filled with diversity and walking through adversity.  

 Joy is not determined by how things are in our life.  It is determined by Who we have in our hearts.

This week allow yourself to experience the JOY of the Lord, His gift to us wrapped in the tapestry of hope, love and peace found lying in a manger.

“…behold, I bring you good news of a great JOY, which shall be for all the people;  for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord….”    Luke 2:10&11

          This is week two of our advent celebration.  Each week, four prior to Christmas Eve, we gather to light a candle and consider the coming of our savior.  It is a wonderful time to stop in the midst of the season and truly focus on the reason for all the wonderful merriment of Christmas.  This week we light the candle of peace.

          Sometimes I frustrate my husband.  I know, it’s surprising, right?  Okay, so those of you who know us can easily see how I may be a cause of his frustration from time to time.  The other night my husband told me he loved me.  The thing is, it was more like he sighed “I love you” after I had just been the aforementioned object of his frustration.  It was clear he was saying “I love you” more for his own need be reminded than for mine.   A “sigh” is a powerful statement.

        “Sigh”.  You can’t say it without actually doing it.  Go ahead, try it…”Siiiiggghhhh”.  See what I mean?  A “sigh” usually follows the end of something.   We often “sigh” just after realizing there is nothing we can do ourselves in a situation.  Sometimes a “sigh” accompanies the finishing of a long or difficult task. 

          When rambunctious children are sleeping, we sigh.  In the aftermath of holiday gatherings, when folks have gone home and the lights are turned down, we sigh.  When we’re done holding a weight, or burden, we sigh.  When someone tells us we are not going to have to do something we dreaded, we sigh.    A “sigh” is an irrepressible expression of relief.  A “sigh” is an end mark for when we relinquish our personal control.

 A “sigh” is a quiet way of shouting “peace at last, peace at last!”

          I think that on the night our savior, Jesus Christ, was born the whole world sighed!   He was only a baby, but He was our redeemer.  He brought us relief from the burden of sin. Through Him we would be reconciled with our Holy God.   In Him we would find true rest.  Through Him we would discover that God is in control and His grace and love abounds. 

 “…behold new things have come.  Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself, through Christ….God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, He has committed to us the Word of reconciliation…” (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

Say it with me now…”Sigh…”!

          This week we begin our advent celebration.  Each week, four prior to Christmas Eve, we gather to light a candle and consider the coming of our savior.  It is a wonderful time to stop in the midst of the season and truly focus on the reason for all the wonderful merriment of Christmas.  So…the next four devotion entries will center on the four advent themes of Hope, Joy, Peace and Love. 

          I have envisioned what life would be like if we could hear my dog speaking.  Hughie, our porky little Yorkshire terrier, is the embodiment of constant hope.

          Early in the morning he wakes in his pen near our bedroom and soon begins his pitiful whimpering.  What he is really saying as he stands on his hind legs wagging his tail feverishly is, “I hope they open their door soon.  I hope they let me out of here. I hope I get a treat.”

          After letting him out for his morning constitutional he scurries to the pantry door.  His anticipation is obvious as he looks at you then at the pantry door.  “Here it is!  Here is where you get the good stuff for me…look, look in here!” and “I hope she gives me a treat AND breakfast.” 

         After feeding the little guy I begin to make myself a cup of coffee.  I soon feel the laser like stare of his dark little eyes.  He will stay by my feet for the rest of the morning.  There is nothing he seems to like better than to be sitting in my lap.  He loves to snuggle into the crevice created when I sit with folded legs on the couch.   Again he is very clear, “oh, I hope she is going to sit down with her cup of coffee!”  “I hope she lets me snuggle in her lap soon!”  “I wonder when she’s gonna stop folding those clothes and let me sit on her lap?”

          Every day I come home Hughie greets me.  His entire body wags in energetic delight.  He has high hopes.  “I hope she pets me.”,  “I hope she tells me I’m a good boy.”,   “I hope she plays with me!”,  “I hope she rewards me!”, “ I hope she sits down so I can sit in her lap!”

          You don’t have to be able to hear Hughie speak to know he is full of hope.  If you think about it all dogs have hope.   Dogs exude hope in tail wagging enthusiasm.  Their eyes convey a sense of anticipation of what is to come.  This is unique to dogs.  Most cats don’t have hope.  Cats have assumptions.  

          This week we focus on the hope of Christ Jesus.  I’d love to have Hughie’s intensity of hope.  We celebrate the birth of Christ because his coming was the beginning of our hope.  Through Him we have hope for forgiveness of sin.  His life, death and resurrection give us hope for eternal life and a relationship with God.  As we start the seasonal celebration of the advent of Christ let us be mindful of the hope we have in Him.  Because of our savior we can snuggle into the arms of our heavenly Father and look forward to the day we will rest in His lap.

And again Isaiah says, “There shall come The Root of Jesse, and He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, In Him shall the Gentiles have Hope.”  Now may the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:12-13

        This will be our 23^rd thanksgiving with our son.  Steven was born November 27, Thanksgiving Day, 1986.  My husband was stationed at Little Rock Air Force base in Jacksonville, Arkansas.  Just as any mother will attest, it was a memorable day. 

          I was excited, anxious and happy all at the same time.  Eventually my doctor, his tone calm but full of concern, announced I would need to have a cesarean section.  Tears came to my eyes and he gently patted my knee.  “I’m sorry” he said “I know this is not what you wanted.”  He did not understand.  How could he?  He had not experienced the months prior to this event as I had.  I had spent the summer and fall months dreaming of this little one.  I had felt the tickle of its tumbling.  My back ached with the additional weight, ever a reminder that I was not just me…I was a “we”.   Each day I made choices I hoped would be best for the growing child whose little heart beat I heard at each doctor appointment.  I could hardly wait to see my precious baby, this little stranger I had already come to love more than myself.  No, those tears the doctor saw that day were not tears of disappointment; they were tears of joy and relief.   Soon I would hold this baby in my arms. 

          Later that night, in the quiet of my hospital room, my son sleeping in his basinet, the enormity of it all overwhelmed me.  Would I be a good mother?  Was I ready for it all?  What if I messed him up?  Could I provide for him always?  How would I protect him?  Could I protect him?  Did God really know what He was doing when He gifted us with this son?  Would he be funny, athletic, curious, courageous, complicated or compliant?  We were embarking on a journey together and I could not even imagine all the next few weeks would hold, let alone the next 23 years.

          In 23 years my son has amazed, exhausted, entertained, surprised and mesmerized me.   I watched as he discovered each phase… baby steps, walking, running, learning, caring, serving, and living. I have witnessed his contagious giggles bloom into deep heartfelt laughter.  I have experienced the pain of seeing him suffer and not being able to take his hurt away.  I have shared in his triumphs and staggered through his stumbling along with him.   As most mothers, I have known what it’s like to have my heart ache one day and filled with pride the next.  I marvel at how he has impacted my life and the life of others around him.  He is just as precious to me today, with his towering height and size 11 feet, as he was when he fit in the crook of my arm. 

          I am thankful to a God who placed the hand of this little one in ours so many years ago.  I thank God for His abundant grace.  I am thankful for a loving family and caring friends.  I am thankful for the glimpses of God seen in the lives of those He places in my life.  

 I am thankful for a son, whose birthday will forever remind me of the God who holds our future and the reason for all I am thankful for.

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          I no longer watch the popular television show, Extreme Home Makeover.  Of course when it first began I was as enthralled as the rest of America with the wonderful premise.  A very deserving family, usually one which had endured a significant tragedy or had sacrificed much for others, received an over the top home makeover.  I only stopped watching because honestly I got a bit tired of predicting my own tearful response at the show’s final “big reveal” moment.  Although I am no longer personally “into” the show any more, it is still a frequent favorite for others in the family. 

          The other day, as I was working in the kitchen, I heard the familiar voice of the show’s popular host.  I was strangely drawn to the TV.   I was not too surprised to find myself standing at the edge of the living room.  The show’s story lines are always compelling and this one was no exception.  So there I stood, between the kitchen and living room, wet dish towel in hand. 

          The family being treated to this special makeover had selflessly provided a place for those in need to secure food and items for everyday survival.  They spent so much time meeting the needs of others that they neglected their own housing needs.  I tried to look away.  I knew what was coming.  I knew the more I listened to their heart filled story I would be incapable of not crying when they arrived home to see all that had been done for them.  Yet, even though I knew the outcome would be nothing less than a tear jerking sweet ending, I could not look away.  I was busy anticipating the show’s ending.   I was NOT prepared for the scenario that soon filled the screen and left me in awe.

          The family had been sent to Disney while the work was being done on their house.  (This was typical of the show and every now and then the show’s host would send the family a video of work in progress.)  I listened intently as the family gathered around their small laptop and exchanged hellos with the host.  The host then told the family there was a special gift for them in “the box” which appeared before them on the table.  The cameras zoomed closer as the father opened the golden box and reached for its contents.  Slowly he pulled out a piece of paper clearly labeled, “mortgage”.  Immediately below this word, written in bold, were the words PAID IN FULL.   The enormity of this moment was evident in the eyes of the father.  Anyone who has been under the weight of mortgage debt could comprehend the relief he now experienced.  It was not even my mortgage, yet I felt a release of stress.  I let out a gasp and then felt myself completely relax.   The host explained the gift was meant to take the burden off of him and his family so they could continue to serve others.

          Can you imagine such a gift?  What would you do if someone knocked on your door and gave you just such a paper?  What if they offered the same gift to anyone who asked for it? I know what I’d do.  I’d call family and friends and tell them all about it!  I would make plans for the financial changes and options.  I would live my life differently if I did not have a mortgage.   It would be an unforgettable event in my life.

          “PAID IN FULL” are wonderful words to any debtor.   I could easily comprehend this man’s relief because I have felt an even greater relief.  I, like everyone, am a sinner.  I struggle every day.  I deserve condemnation for my sin.  But God, in His amazing grace, allowed His son to die for my sin.  Jesus took on the debt of my sin, our sin, and gave Himself as payment.  The debt of my sin has been PAID IN FULL.   The relief from this debt is worth telling others about.  It frees us to serve others and live differently.  Instead of condemnation, I have been given grace, and that STILL amazes me.

          A friend of mine was experiencing a family health crisis.  After several phone conversations, I became convinced I needed to make the hour drive to be with her.  I knew by the time I got there I would have a limited amount of time with her.  Sometimes it just does not seem adequate telling someone you’re “there for them” when you’re miles away, especially when those miles are not insurmountable. 

          So there I was, traveling late in the day, down a remote highway in northern Virginia.  The sun began to shift toward it’s resting place below the horizon.  In the calmness of the afternoon my thoughts were focused on where I was headed.  I wondered what I would say to my friend.  I worried I’d say the wrong thing.  I struggled to imagine what words could bring comfort.  I did not wish to be inappropriate or ineffective.   I wanted to give her support.  I wanted her to know she was not alone.  I wanted to not say too much or too little.  I wanted…and I worried….then it happened.

          I was passing farms, farm houses and barren fields when a rather large bend in the road oriented my car alongside an expansive rolling, mountainous, hillside.  In an instant my mind snapped from its previous diversion and I let out an audible gasp.  I was not expecting the sight before me and it was without a doubt breath-taking, literally.  The land for as far as I could see was a radiant golden hue.  I’m not sure what sort of trees covered the area, but unlike the colorful fall foliage of reds, orange and yellow we often see in these parts, the entire hillside was glowing gold.  The sun had almost completely set on my right, but its remaining rays were bouncing off the vision to my left .  For several miles I was given a brilliant light show of glittering trees.  It was as if God had laid a fluffy golden blanket over the earth.  You know when you throw a sheet on the bed and it sort of puffs up before settling onto the form of the bed?  That is the way these huge hills looked, only radiant as well.

          It was as if God was saying, “Here’s your sign.”  God had used His phenomenal creation to startle me into remembrance that He is God.  He is in control.  He holds my loved ones.  He cares for my friends.  He, and only He, can bring peace to a hurting heart.  He is the mighty comforter.  I no longer needed the right words or actions to help my friend.  All I needed to do, was show up.  He only asks us to love Him.  In loving Him, we are able to love others.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  Psalm 121:1-2

            I know God has a sense of humor.  I can attest far too often to moments in life where I am pretty sure I could actually hear His holy laughter at His own cleverness in dealing with me.  This last Sunday was just such a moment. 

          It began as a normal Sunday morning.   My husband and I were leading our adult Sunday school class through a study from the book of John.  This day’s lesson followed the first public miracle which Jesus performed.   As a class we read the account of Jesus and His disciples attending a wedding in Cana along with His mother, Mary.  The host of the wedding ran out of wine and Mary asked Jesus to help.  Eventually Jesus would turn water into wine.  One of the discussion questions had us considering what the host of the wedding may have been feeling.  

          It is easy to imagine the burden the host must have felt when he realized he would not be able to honor his guest with his best wine.   Trying to comprehend the emotional need of the moment and the stress felt by the host helps us better appreciate this particular miracle.  It would impact everyone from the servants who did as Jesus commanded and had a firsthand view of His working, to the host and his guest.   It was at this point in the lesson I should have heard God begin to giggle.  I have no doubt that it was at this moment He said to Himself….”Just in case she missed this point, I’ll make it more clear…later tonight when she is not looking for Me, I’ll  bring this point home.”

          Fast forward to later that night…as my husband and I prepare for his men’s Bible study which meets in our home.  It has grown considerably and each Sunday night 10-15 men gather for a shared meal (which they take turns providing) and Bible study.  It was our turn to provide the food.  We discussed the possible turn out.  Class attendance was down considerably that morning due to the flu season, various family members being sick or out of town, so we figured the night’s attendance may also be reduced.   We decided on 4 LARGE pizzas, figuring left over pizza is never a problem.  

          I’m sure as you read this you can predict what happened, but trust me, at the time it was not so evident.   Soon the men began to arrive, and arrive, and arrive, and arrive,….that’s when my husband poked his head around the corner of the room I was in and said these terrifying words, “Teri, there is only one slice of pizza left!” and with that I heard our door swing open as 4 more men joined the gathering.  YIKES!   Don’t get me wrong; we were THRILLED to see so many be able to attend.  But I felt so badly.  They were our honored guest and I couldn’t just say, “oops…sorry, some of you guys will need to sit through the hour long Bible study hungry.”  

         I dove into the arctic depths of my freezer searching for provisions.  I praised God in my heart that a local grocer had put frozen hor d’oeuvres on sale last week, and I that I had stocked up on a few boxes for upcoming events.  As, I loaded up baking sheets with the miniature food items one of the men from class just HAD to say it…. “Hey, didn’t we just learn about this in class today?  So, how does it feel?”    I am sure I would have heard God’s heavenly laughter over His earthly lesson if not for the rather loud laughter rolling through my kitchen from all of us. 

           Let’s just say that after that night, I am not likely to forget the precious implications of Jesus’ first public miracle.  And for the record, real men DO eat quiche.