WONDER

Charis Corner: Stories of Grace in a Broken World

Holiday Piece IV: Wonder

SARAH:

The sun still snuggles beneath the Earth, but I’m awake. It’s Christmas. With careful steps, I slip from my room and ghost down the stairs. Somehow I know—He has come.

Twinkle lights guide my path, weaving in and out of the banister and stretching across the fireplace mantle. The ashes lie black and cold, though warmth fills the house.

In the corner of the room is the tree. The angel illuminates the darkness, drawing me closer. Lights and ornaments fill the pine needles. At its feet are the presents. It doesn’t matter to me their wrapping nor their number. It’s enough they’re there.

Last night, after singing carols and hearing the story of baby Jesus, I studied every inch of that space. Now, colorful gifts of all sizes hide the floor from view. And if I am completely honest with you—I don’t care what’s in them.

They represent hope. They’re proof of the impossible—magic. Just last night there were no gifts, and now they have come. A reminder that God still performs miracles.

I search through them, looking for my name. When I find one on a large box, my breath hitches. My heart slams against my ribs. These presents aren’t just for my family, they’re for me. Someone—my parents, Santa, a good Samaritan—loves me; they searched for just the right thing and wrapped it up.

For an hour or two, I sit beneath the tree. I relish the silent night, and as I stare at the tree, one thing fills me to overflowing—WONDER.

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As adults, we know everything that goes into making this moment happen. And for most, it takes away the magic—like becoming a Disney World employee and seeing how everything works. It causes stress, anxiety, and unrealistic expectations. You’re set up for failure before the day even arrives.

But kids see the day and marvel. They experience wonder.

We can, too. Because God came to Earth in human form and walked with us. But it wasn’t just for those thirty plus years. God made a way to remain with us forever.

Look at the following lines from Sarah’s Christmas morning:

He has come.

The angel illuminates the darkness, drawing me closer.

Hope. Proof of the impossible—magic. A reminder that God still performs miracles.

[It’s] for me. Someone loves me.

WONDER

From the mouth of babes we can learn the most important of lessons. This Christmas, allow yourself to experience the WONDER again.

After all, Emmanuel—God is here—is forever. What greater gift could you receive?

Isaiah 9:6-7: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.”

A Christmas Thought

Long lines
Lists
Reminders of Loss

Much Mayhem
Maudlin

Dreary Days

Stress
Heartache
Panic

Anxiety Attacks

So what's the point?

LOVE

From Heaven
Sent to Earth

In a fragile human package,
Wrapped in swaddling.

God is HERE.
Emmanuel

That Darn Scrooginess

Charis Corner: Stories of Grace in a Broken World

Holiday Piece II

It’s here. That moment you’ve been dreading. It’s the perfect storm of bad days.

First, the kids come down with the stomach flu, but not at the same time. So you’re doing laundry for three days straight. Then your spouse, parent, loved one falls into a spout of depression. When you’re already low on energy, you now must struggle with getting that loved one out of bed and charm them out of their depression (which usually doesn't work and if it does, not for long). But when it’s all said and done, that depression is contagious. You forget what it is that hope you’re supposed to have. The “Christian” answer isn’t enough. And soon you’re swimming in doubt. Did God really mean what He said? Will He really provide? Does He really care?

Welcome to December. Welcome to the Christmas season. Little money, large expectations, and zero energy.

It’s no wonder there are so many Scrooges around Christmas time.

However, I am not. I am still that little kid that leaves out cookies and milk for Santa as an adult, whether there are kids around or not. Why? Because I believe. I have faith. I have hope. And that’s really what this season is about.

For the Israelites, it was truly a time of despair. God was so far away; they’d ruined their love relationship with Him. But God wasn’t done, not even close. He gave them promises to hold onto—the same promises we can cling to. Prophesies of their Savior came time and time again, but there was no sign of help.

But then God gave His people—and us—the greatest gift. 

Hope—eternal hope. Magic. Faith. Purpose. All through Jesus. Jesus, God contained in human form, came to us as a baby. That baby was proof that God didn’t abandon them. And it was proof He hasn’t abandoned us. God is still in the business of performing miracles. 

Just like the Israelites, a lot of us miss them, because we’re not looking for little things. 

Like the birth of a baby boy in a manger.

So as we struggle with our own Scrooginess, let’s recite God’s promises to us. God NEVER breaks His promises.

Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

           

Isaiah 43:1-3: ““Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Isaiah 30:19-21, 23, 26: “People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’  He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows. The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.”

Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear.”

Psalm 73:26: “My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need.”

Psalm 68:19: “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.”

Nahum 1:7: “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.”

Matthew 6:34: “So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.”

Learn From Me: Don't Starve Yourself

Charis Corner: Stories of Grace in a Broken World

Holiday Piece I

If there’s one thing I struggle with as a mom of young children, it’s taking care of myself.

My mom is amazing. She can watch all the kids, feed them and herself, clean the house, and still have dinner made on time. I do not have that same superhero power. I get the kids dressed, fed, play, and the next thing I know it’s time to make lunch. Though my kids don’t nap, I still have them go to their bedrooms for quiet time. By the time this is all said and done, it’s one…sometimes two o’clock before I get to feed myself.

What do I do then? Do I take the time to fix myself something healthy? No, I grab the fastest, tastiest thing I can find. At this point, I’ve starved myself so much, even junk tastes good.

How often do we starve ourselves—not with food but the Lord? And what do we want want to do when we finally get a moment to ourselves? We stuff ourselves with junk--Netflix, Hulu, movies, bags of chips, pints of ice cream, Snicker's bars, or Facebook. 

We starve ourselves--and exhaust every moment of every day--that when we finally have a spare moment, we crave junk. It tastes good. But it never satisfies.

In our spiritual lives, we start the day with a quick cup of coffee and a pastry—a quick scan of a devotional or Bible verse and a prayer. Then we go about our day with no other sustenance. We wonder why we’re irritable and frustrated. How are we supposed to deal with stupid people when we’ve starved ourselves?

I don’t know about you, but I suffer from a condition others call “hangry”—so hungry I become irrationally and uncontrollably angry. I’m completely serious. Throughout these past five years as a parent, I’ve learned I cannot function in a loving and compassionate manner if I’ve starved myself. So now, I eat when the kids eat. I must take care of myself, even if it results in a later quiet time.

So how can we apply this to ourselves? How can we make sure we get what we need spiritually especially when we’re so busy we can’t care for ourselves? 

We take breaks. This will look different for each person, each profession, and how we spend that time will look different, because God communes with each person in their own unique way. But without these breaks in our day to reconnect with God—our power source and sustenance—we will starve ourselves, and we will not be able to serve or love people the way you need to.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV):

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Good "Father"

I'm a Daddy's girl. I'll admit it. Growing up, I couldn't wait for my dad to show up, scoop me in his arms, and dance with me. He'd pull me aside to listen to a song or play his electric guitar like a pro.

As I've grown, I still look up to him. He's been through so much. If you could hear his story, it'd move you...but I digress.

He's a wonderful man, and I idolize him even as an adult. But that dynamic has changed a lot. He makes mistakes. He's passionate and rash, forgiving to a fault. A lot of my best character traits I get from him. But he's extremely busy. Between being a full-time pastor and farmer (he raises free range chickens and grass-fed beef: Beutler Farms), we don't get to spend a lot of time together.

This Wednesday, I was working at our church's daycare, and we were out on the playground. He strides out the door and jumps up on the picnic table and gives me a big hug.

Now, from the man who calls me "Dear" this isn't out of character. The thing is we haven't spent much time together lately, so when he came over, I expected he wanted to chat with me about something serious or needed my help. Maybe he was displeased with me about something. The great thing about my dad is he isn't afraid of confrontation, so if something comes up, he'll tell me.

But the man grins at me, wraps his arm around my shoulder, and squeezes hard. My heart warmed instantly. I don't know how I'd been feeling, but one embrace made me so happy. I almost cried. Life is hard right now. My baby boy, my kindergartener, is doing well in school and growing up. My twin 3yos are such a handful. And my hubby's gone a lot between his commute to Purdue every other weekend and his huge homework and career load. One little hug from my dad made all that stress go away. I felt loved, cared for, in a way that required absolutely nothing from me.

On my way to Starbucks today, I heard a song by Chris Tomlin called "Good Father." Essentially it comes down to that He is our good father--that's who He is, and I am loved by Him--that's who I am.

I thought about my father's hug yesterday, and how I'd expected stern and serious talking. But he just wanted a hug. He just wanted to check on me and tell me he loves me. (geez, now I'm crying...lol)

How often do I expect God to keep His distance--He's busy--until there is something serious to talk about? But what if I have it backwards, just like I did with my own dad. What if all He wants is a hug, a chat, a loving word with his beloved child? (Ah! More tears)

I believe He does. I have faith in Him--belief with expectation. If my human father--who is far from perfect--loves me this much, how much more does my Heavenly Father love me?

That's the whisper He put in my heart today. I hope you hear it, too. :)

Experiencing Trials with Elijah

Charis Corner: Stories of Grace in a Broken World

By Kari Mahara

Elijah is one of those characters from the Bible I greatly admire. His faith in God and obedience is something I strive for in my own life. I recently taught in Sunday School (and read in my 5-5-5) about Elijah’s faceoff with the priests of Baal—how Elijah taunted these priests when Baal couldn’t rain down fire from Heaven, but when Elijah prayed, God rained down fire that burned the offering, altar, and even the ditch that had been drenched in water. The people chanted, “The Lord, He is God.” It gave me goosebumps.

But then, Queen Jezebel threatens Elijah, and this is what he does:

1 Kings 19:3-9: “Elijah was afraid[a] and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night.

What follows is the story of God passing by Elijah, a still small voice.

There is so much in these stories that ring true today. How often after we see God move do we let fear take hold? Fear is something I’ve struggled with since I was a child, and now it manifests itself in anxiety, worry, and need to control. I can look back over the past year and a half and see God’s fingerprint on my life. I can see how God provided for us when there was no money and how he continues to bless us on one income. But that fear cripples me just like Elijah.

But what really grips me about this story is God’s reaction. Does He look at Elijah in disappointment? Does He reprimand him? No. He sends an angel to feed Elijah. God says, “The journey is too much for you.” When you are faithful in following Him, when you love Him with all that you are, but you still struggle, remember this story. God isn’t standing over you, chastising you for your lack of strength or faith or courage. He’s drawing you in His arms, caring for you.

And what comes next is rare and incredible. 1 Kings 19:11-12: “The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” That gentle whisper is with you every moment through whatever you face.

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Now, head on over to The Writing Mom and see what impact this lesson had on my life this week.