Holiday Chair

This past Thanksgiving I had the privilege to spend dinner with my family. I was all smiles and truly felt blessed. But like many of you, there were a few empty seats at the table. Some seats were empty due to the passing of precious loved ones.  But another seat was empty due to unforgiveness.

 

I could deal with looking at empty chairs my grandparents used to sit in. My grandparents are now with the Lord sitting in the best seats - in heaven! However, to see an empty chair all because of a disagreement hurt my heart. Certain family members had allowed this disagreement to grow hatred between them to the point that being at the same table, let alone the same room, was too much for them.

 

Sadness came over me while looking at the smiling faces of my cousins. I was sad because one of my cousins was being denied. Her chair was empty at the table. 

 

Oh the holidays. Like so many of you, it is the one time of year my family goes out of their way to see each other. But now somehow had it turned into, "So and so will not be placing one foot in my house." I’ve heard many reasons amongst my family as to why things were that way. Hurtful, hateful, even resentful reasons.  Knowing most of the details as to why a member of my family wasn’t present, I still couldn't justify it in my mind. My heart ached.

 

I knew right away, I would not pick sides but do what I do best. Stay silent. Actually, I'm kidding. What I do best is talk. A lot! This was a time to practice doing what I do worst! STAYING SILENT. Then I was lead to pray and pray boldly! 

 

Remembering all the times God had come through for me, I decided to begin praying boldly. My family and I have had our fair share of disagreements and God intervened. So why couldn't He do it again? I had to choose the right way to deal with this touchy situation. I wanted to use this as an opportunity to trust the Lord. I wanted to quiet my mind and pray what God wanted me to pray, NOT what I thought I needed to pray. After all, I didn't want booted from my chair next!  

 

The first thing laid on my heart to pray for was forgiveness.  It is the hardest thing to do sometimes.  Jesus said in Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” I used to just pray for family salvation. Now my eyes were opened to pray that they have forgiveness in their hearts for each other.

 

Next I was moved to pray for trust.  Remember the story of Joseph and his brothers?  I’m sure that was an awkward dinner table when his brothers returned home but Joseph was missing!  But when I read about Joseph, he trusted God. I love how at the end of the story (spoiler alert!) he loved his family and forgave the terrible wrongs they had done to him.

 

This leads me to the next thing put on my heart, knowing when to speak and when to pray.  James 1:19 says you must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.  My heart was unsettled.  I wanted to stick up for what was right! But the Lord quickly spoke this verse to my heart. He pretty much held my lips together because He knows me well! From my past experience with my family, speaking too quickly actually caused more harm than healing.

 

Well, I’m thankful to report that God worked faster than I thought! My little cousin, whose seat was empty at Thanksgiving, joined us for Christmas Eve dinner! She told me she no longer felt hate but said she felt like she was “wanted” at dinner this year.  One less empty seat. I believe God softened hearts in my family. It’s an answer to prayer.

 

If you are facing this type of situation as we head into the New Year, lift it up to God in prayer.  I believe God will give you what you need so your celebrations and family gatherings will be complete with “filled” chairs in 2015! Place your trust in Him.  Be obedient and listen for His still, small voice. And do it all in love… #lovepeople

 

Post by: Bethany

Worn-Out Mary

 

 

I love Christmas lights. At this time of year, I enjoy driving through Christmas light displays with my family.  Hearing the ooohhs and ahhs of my little ones makes my heart glad.  I’m more traditional in my light loving tastes though. I’m not a fan of the blinky-blinky, coordinated to music, crazy stuff.  But I sure do love seeing the old-school, plastic Nativity sets in neighborhood yards.  They remind me of my childhood.

I always wanted my parents to get one of those plastic light up sets when I was growing up but we never had one.  So when my in-laws offered my husband and me their 40 year old set, I was overjoyed.  Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus made the two hour trip from Bedford, PA to Pittsburgh with my in-laws on the day after Thanksgiving.  They were displayed on my front porch a few days later.

My girls were so excited to have the Nativity scene set up.  They played around it, bringing Baby Jesus gifts.  It was so adorable.  But as I watched them play, I noticed how worn out the plastic Mary and Joseph looked.  Joseph and Mary’s paint had worn off in spots. Mary’s nose had gotten pushed in a bit.  And then I glanced at the manger.  It was falling apart.  I began to have my doubts about how this scene would look lit up once it got dark.

My husband pieced the wooden manger back together and filled it with hay.  Mary and Joseph were plugged in and in position.  We tested them out to make sure they worked but we had no idea how they would look once the sun went down.

 I really had no need to be concerned.  The Nativity scene looked beautiful!  Mary, Joseph, and Jesus shone brightly through darkness.  That’s when it hit me.  Despite being old, faded, and a bit weary looking, the light still shone through Mary.  In this Christmas season, was the light of Jesus shining through me?

Was I letting the high expectations and stress of the holidays turn me into a “worn-out Mary” or was I going to let the light of Christ shine from me out into the dark world?  I chose right then and there to let the light shine from me. Even if I am weary from waiting in a line a mile long at the store, I am going to let the light shine.  Even if I am feeling worn out from all the holiday hustle and bustle, I am going to let Jesus’ light shine! Even if things get broken down a bit, like the small wooden manger, I am still going to let the light of Christ shine through me.

So my question for you today, as we head into the homestretch towards Christmas, are you going to be a “worn-out Mary” or will you allow the light of Jesus to shine through you into the darkness?

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:14-15 (NIV)



Posted by Marcy

A Christmas Prayer



A Christmas Prayer

by Jimmie Lee

When I want my words to mean something; often times they struggle to release from my heart. And so, when it came to writing this post I struggled with what to write. I went back and forth in my head so many times about what I should pen down on paper, worrying about having just the right thing to say. I do this too often as well... putting so much pressure on myself to get it right, to make it perfect. Like I am supposed to be the expert. And when I let that perfectionism creep in, my thoughts get all jumbled in my heart and scattered in my head and I can’t seem to get anything out that makes any sense. So this was me. Asking myself questions like “What should I write?” What should I tell the reader?” “What story should I tell?” And then when the deadline hit and I still had nothing, I said to God, “But, What do I have to give?” Really I have nothing without Him. He answered me softly, gently, as he normally does... ‘a prayer’. Simple. God likes simple. Oh He does GRAND things, but He likes simple. So, my sweet beautiful sisters, a Christmas Prayer for you.

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are a holy, righteous and merciful father who loves his daughters so fiercely that you sent your one and only son, your one and only son! To save us from ourselves, to restore us back to You. You love us so much that you would complete this perfect plan generation to generation and fulfill each promise and prophecy that brought forth, this Jesus! How can we show our gratitude and thankfulness for such a grand gesture?! Thank you! Thank you for your free gift of grace. Thank you for your perfect gift of love through Jesus, the King!

And Lord God, I pray that through this season when distractions are high, we can focus on you and your goodness all the time. I pray Lord God that we can see with your eyes. Help us to peel back each layer of earthly pleasure this season, the decorations, shopping, cooking, traveling, help us to stripe down each layer to find this fleshy babe, this Jesus. The one we call Savior, Redeemer, Friend! Help us Holy Spirit to keep our eyes fixed on, this Jesus.

I pray Lord God for each one of us to walk out this season for Your Glory. I pray that we would use this Christmas message to reach souls for your kingdom! I pray that each one of us would be a beacon of light, even through all the glitter, glitz and gold, that we would hold fast to your truths this season. Lord God I ask that you would help each one us to see the bigger picture, the grandest story. Teach us and bring to remembrance the beginning. Help us to acknowledge each character, each obedient one that lead to the birth of this Jesus who came to save us. As your daughters, teach us to be steadfast and faithful, like Ruth, Esther and Mary. Birth something in us this season, oh Lord. Give us a renewed sense of your love. Give us new life in you. Help us Father to stay plugged into You, our life source.

As we go about our days that lead up to Christmas, help us to remember to whom we belong. Help us to see that at the core, its all about You. Keep us free from busyness, shame and guilt! Draw us closer to You, closer to your heart as we teach and care for our families. Lead us where you want us to go.

Thank you!

Thank you!

You are Holy!

Full of Glory!

Righteous!

You are Awesome!  

I ask all of these things

In Jesus name

~Amen