The Wife Life: 25th Anniversary Edition

As we approach our 25th Wedding Anniversary this summer,
I am reflecting on my marriage journey,
spiritually and emotionally.

25 years ago

Status: We were all dreams and little substance.

Spiritual: Most of my prayers were about the future, the
distant future.

Emotional: New experiences were not frightening to us.
Everything was new, and we were willing adventurers.

20 years ago

Status: Now 4 years into marriage, we were a Christian couple who
loved our church, our friends and our family and were expecting our
first baby. We were on schedule.

Spiritual: My entire focus was on getting God to approve my plans.

Emotional: What do I need to be good at my assignments?

15 years ago

Status: Now married 8 years and expecting our second baby,
we were enjoying a smaller and tighter circle of friends. We were
very close to one other, and I was very content in my marriage.

Emotional: I had a lot excess energy and ideas. I had grown up
some and learned how rewarding giving my whole heart to my family
really could be. Somewhat less focused on my needs and more aware
of the needs of other people.

Spiritual: I prayed and asked the Lord why He never called me to
full time ministry when I was an eager child in my hometown
church. He said: I am calling you now.
I was age 30, the same age that Jesus began his ministry.

10 years ago

Status: Now a mother of 3, mostly engaged in my family
of 5 and their activities, always planning and coordinating
and driving, all along with a super supportive husband.
This wife was very content at home.

Spiritual: My perspective was that I was the most blessed
person that I knew. I was often thanking God for my life.

Emotional: Strange feelings would wave over me. I could
become overwhelmed, almost panicky, but I knew that feeling
would come and then go. I was daily fighting
the fear that other people could really steal my peace,
because unfortunately the happiness
of my husband and kids determined how happy that I was.

5 years ago

Status: Pressure mounting. Everyday was about ignoring stress.
Joy was a temporary state of mind. I would cling to it, but
it would still slip away. Firstborn child leaving
for college soon. Grief and depression creeping into our marriage.
We were showing the wear and tear that this season brought.
We weren't ready.

Spiritual: Always asking for rescue and relief, on my knees
often seeking guidance for my whole circle of people.

Emotional: My husband and I had a rule that only one parent
could come unglued at a time. I needed my turn for a meltdown,
but my husband was so unhappy. We weren't able to hold each other
up as well as we had in other hard seasons. It was now time for
me to go to work and invest in other people.
I needed to earn some money and have my own life.

Current Status

As parents of one college daughter, one high school daughter
and one middle school son, we are discussing our options for
celebrating our Silver Anniversary in Summer 2019. We are
currently peaceful with and joyful with and thankful
for one another. We are currently looking
at our life as a big picture testimony, not as a daily battle.

Spiritual: We want to hear from God. We want to please God.
We now know that we will always serve Him.

Emotional: There is a solid foundation here and an
eternal perspective on things.
We have replaced panic attacks with peaceful,
hopeful conversations about
real life options and solutions. We are two individuals
who seek the Lord separately
and then share that growth and strength with the other person.

We are in awe that our kids are almost grown, but we love
seeing them become individuals. We do not need to
live through the kids. We like our life as a couple and really
want that love and freedom for each of them. We want to live near
them and be present in their everyday lives, if possible.
We both agree on that.

Each season flows into the next. I am so grateful that the
success of our marriage is not based on one test
or one perfect day or one terrible month.
Stopping at these five stations on our journey has helped me
stretch my legs, get some fresh air and also get my bearings.
The marriage journey is God’s idea.
He designed a construct for
security and love. It starts with attraction and passion and smiling
and laughing, but it quickly becomes more complex than that.
In all transparency,
I know that God chose marriage for me, but he let me choose Dan.
I was prayerful and careful; I wanted to choose wisely.
But he let me choose.
We chose each other really. Dan was careful and prayerful too.
I was a big commitment, a long term choice.

So far, we have invested 2 years of dating + 1 year engaged
+ 25 years married. . .a blessed partnership.

A Vocabulary Lesson

tol·er·ance

[ˈtäl(ə)rəns]
the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.  

Does not agree with. Hmmm. The definition of tolerance involves disagreeing. If we all agreed, we would not need tolerance. If we all agreed, we would not need discussion. All matters of controversy would be settled before any conversation began. There would be no debate needed.  But in the real world, we do need tolerance. We also need to continue to disagree and wrestle with ideas.

My day job includes analyzing classic literature, editing student essays, and helping young minds find ways to increase their vocabulary. This year, I also have the privilege of teaching an introductory Debate class. In Debate, more frequently than time allows in my sophomore English class, students are required to look at issues from two opposing points of view.  Debaters think, write and argue using reasonable yet divergent perspectives. How novel.

Opinions.
[uh-pin-yuhns]
a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty;
a personal view, attitude or appraisal

By definition, opinions have a filter; they all have a lens. They are fraught with uncertainty and are based on a person's perspective. Opinions are not to be dismissed, but they are to be weighed and considered for what they really are. They are a person's best judgment. They are not factual. Opinions can be meaningful but should not be given the same weight as truth.

Behavior.
[bih-heyv-yer]
observable activity

These observable actions are choices often made as a result of our opinions. Okay, some impulsive people are acting out behaviors that do not seem to be based on any plan or firmly held belief. But for the most part, humans act on what they already believe. This distinction is important because it moves our ideas from our heads outward to our real life decisions. These choices then affect other people.

So many decisions facing our families, communities, churches, states and nation currently necessitate debate. Questions need to be asked. Widely accepted logic should be able to withstand critique. Decisions need to be cross examined. Listening and then deciding is a good process for humans. Once a decision is made for my side, I am still exercising tolerance. This is an important ingredient to protecting free press and a free society.  Making a decision, choosing a behavior or having a firmly held belief does not make me intolerant. I absolutely can disagree with you and still tolerate you. These are not mutually exclusive as the American education system and media has led us to believe.

Most importantly, as I admonish my high school students, it is possible to care about someone and to disagree with them.

I do it everyday.

Watch 'em Grow

Tiny trees on my daily commute

For several months, I noticed this empty grassy lot surrounded by lovely homes and large trees. It was awaiting a plan. It was green but also bare.

As I drove to work passing the lot with the sun starting to rise, and I noticed the neat rows of fledgling trees. From my moving car, I could not determine what type of trees had been planted. Will they bear flowers or fruit? How long until I can see growth?

A month later, I noticed that some of the trees were taller than others. Some were fuller; some were greener. They were planted at the same time. They were in the same sunlight and soil. They were receiving the same rain. Yet there were not growing at the same rate.

Two months passed, then three. And each time I passed that grove of trees I heard this verse in my head:  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. - I Corinthians 3: 6-7

Hmmm. That explains so much. But God gave the growth. This is so relevant to our parenting journey in this season. We are planting. We are even watering. But we absolutely need God to bring the growth if there is to be growth at all. We can watch, and we can pray. We even speak up and share our counsel. But the Holy Spirit is there for them. He is good, and He brings the growth.

A year later. . .

My last post was over a year ago. How is that possible? I can truthfully blame gainful employment. My new full time teaching position has had me reading, lesson prepping, praying and grading the clever writings of my sophomores all year. It was an incredible year of growth and hard work for me, transitioning from part time teaching in my sweet, small world of a homeschool hybrid program to full time teaching high school English all day every day. So to catapult into the present: I could be described as the wife to Dan, mom to one middle schooler, one high schooler and one college student, a teacher to sophomores, a friend who now works full time and doesn't see her friends very often, and a long distance family member to. . .every relative that she has. This verse also describes my life: The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart. Romans 10:8. 

But how I have missed writing! I hear monologues in my head as I run errands from the passenger seat as my middle child beauty is now my chauffeur. I see photos in need of captions all around me, as I walk around my neighborhood or Orlando theme parks. Recently, I just feel blessed and thankful and a tad bit teary about it all. 

Okay, the aforementioned feeling is not new. That could be my bio on all of my social media. 

*Leaves to change bio on all social media accounts.*

Glad to be back at the laptop,
LA

Easter Includes Promises

Easter is often associated with promises. I concur that Easter shows a completed circle. Deferred requests leading to specific answers. The end of pain and the beginning of healing. Brokenness replaced with wholeness. Death first. . . then newness of life.

The end of the God story reveals this: And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” - Revelation 21:5
But do we take God at His Word on this? How do we handle the gap in time between a spoken promise of God and the actual receiving of the promise? Yes, attitude matters. Yes, patience matters. But I never want to lose sight of the prize. God is planning bigger and better than we realize. His plan has two parts: His Word of Promise and the Receiving of that Promise. Let's not miss either part. We lean in to hear him speak.

We pray things like this:
Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.  -Psalm 4:6

His Spirit confirms that we are on the right path.
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. -Proverbs 16:9
 
We will not boast about our great wait-itude or feign humility and possibly miss seeing God do something great for us and through us. 

Read this power promise found in 2 Corinthians 2:9-10:
However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived^"___
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—

¹⁰ these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

I am so glad that Easter includes promises. I am so glad that we are not being tested and teased by our Father simply to prop up our faith. The process definitely includes patience, but God is not sending us through a spiritual obstacle course. The Resurrection is real. His answers and provision are real. His promises are real. They really become reality in our everyday real life when He speaks them over us.

Abandoned titles for this post include:
Easter Includes Patience  
Stop quoting Jeremiah 29:11 when I am hurting
Jesus died, and now the disciples are really confused.

Easter Involves Foot Washing

The celebration of Easter is too short. It is not given the time that Christmas is given. It is a low budget film shoot with a hurried production schedule and scaled down sets. But as we know from some beloved independent films, this holiday has the potential for the most heart. Other than the secular traditions that we (hurriedly) keep at Easter time, the celebrations of The Resurrection can seem shallow. How does a repetitious family activity hold the substance of this powerful event? This holy-day involves the discussion of execution and fear and grief. Those are not fun. They are hard to celebrate.

Yes, Easter also involves the defeat of death and power over the grave. But we feel so traumatized by Jesus' trial, beatings and the crucifixion that we can rarely absorb much more of this event. At Christmas, we are celebrating the miraculous birth of a baby. Babies are fun and easy to discuss with our youngest family members and are unchurched neighbors. At Easter, we are grasping eternity. We are on an emotional roller coaster from Palm Sunday's praise to Good Friday's earthquakes. It is heavy and hard for most of us. This week, I am sharing some ideas, key moments that we can use to celebrate Easter in attainable, meaningful ways. My family will be invited to join me in these activities.

Easter, you are hard. But you are so good.

-Foot Washing-
Peter: Lord, are you going to wash my feet?
Jesus: You do not realize what I am doing, but later you will understand.
Peter: No, you shall never wash my feet.
Jesus: Unless I wash you, you have no part of me.
Peter: Then Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well.

 John 13: 6-9

Six years ago, I taught middle school Bible to a class of uninterested students and was praying about lesson plans that would connect them to the Word.  We talked about Peter and his reaction to Jesus in this passage. The students were invited to wash each other's feet. I did not require them to participate, only to be quiet and respectful while others were. One student who did not want to remove their shoes was asked to read the passage from the Bible while we washed each other's feet.  Most of those middle school students were moved by watching and participating in this humbling act of service. God softened some hearts, and one student asked that the water be poured on his head and hands like Peter had. 

Notice that Jesus tells Peter that he will understand. . .later. Easter has layers. We can study it and celebrate year and year and still grasp something new. It is important to talk to young children about hard spiritual ideas. It is important to talk to our teenagers and to other adults. We can help each other understand. When we grab a bowl and a towel and wash each other's feet, we experience the humbling ceremony of serving one another. We are softened.

Sometimes we need to see the bowl of fresh water and feel our own clean feet after they have been washed. Sometimes we need to stop telling Jesus what he can't do in our lives. We need to do things his way today, because we will understand it later.

Jesus concludes with, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

Yes, Lord. We will.

Two Hours in Georgia

1848- Zion Episcopal Church- Talbotton, Georgia

It's Spring Break! Our usual packed and productive schedule has been replaced with a week of savoring coffee and conversation. The kids and I caught up with Julia in Pine Mountain, Georgia, where she is completing a gap year at Impact360 Institute. On our way home, I stopped at several beautiful churches to snap a picture. I prayed for our family and our nation as I drove. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the gift of time to take the long way home. The kids were tolerant and patient with me, but I was definitely experiencing this architectural appreciation adventure on my own.

Winding through beautiful farmland, passing orchards and grazing horses, and praying for the families that work their land while we live in the suburbs of the big city and eat fresh produce everyday, my soul* was refreshed. *The soul is the mind, will and emotions of a person.

It is easy to panic as we look at conflict and persecution in the communities of our nation. Spending two hours in Georgia calmed me like nothing else I have tried. I could almost hear these congregations singing: Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. (Edward Mote, 1834)

These three different, but all beautiful, architectural styles of churches reflect the body of Christ. Our worship songs, our buildings, and our dress codes may vary, but the God we serve is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is our Rock, our Cornerstone, and our Foundation. We are His church.

Isaiah 28:16 : So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.

First Baptist Church - Reynolds, Georgia

Reynolds United Methodist Church

December 24 and 25: Traditionally

The Laughlin Christmas Tree 2016

Laughlin Christmas Traditions
1. The house is decked inside and out. Dad's beautiful wooden nativity spotlighted in the front yard.
2. Local Christmas events and Nativity musical shows attended and also driving around town to see Christmas lights.
3. Bubble lights are on the Christmas tree.
4. Group photos taken with everyone in dressy clothes.
5. You may open one Christmas Eve gift from parents and all other gifts not from parents, particularly traditional time to open gifts to and from siblings.
6. Christmas morning gifts from parents for kids are laid out on sofas or chairs that are pre-selected by kids.
7. Christmas gifts opened in a fast paced whirlwind of flying paper and ribbon.
8. Lots of singing around the piano. Songs played by pianists of all ages.
9. Lots of snacks and desserts for all day grazing.
10.  Grandchildren enjoying the vintage electric train and other fun games together.

Crawford Christmas Traditions
1. The house is decked inside and out. Cherished vintage lighted nativity stood in the front yard.
2.  Grandma and Aunt Polly participating in The Living Christmas Tree at church. 30 years in a row!
3. Visiting pianist son Dan and/or violinist daughter -in -law Janet participate in First Baptist worship service.
4. Group photos often taken, but no particular dress code requirements.
5. You may open one Christmas Eve gift chosen by Grandma.
6. Attending the Christmas Eve service, a silent Lord's Supper, and the Galaxy of Lights display at the Botanical Gardens.
7. Patient, lengthy present opening on Christmas morning.
8. Lots of singing around the piano. Songs played by pianists of all ages.
9. Yummy breakfast served as an intermission during lengthy present opening.
10. Stockings unpacked after all other gifts were opened.

Combining
What fun to combine these traditions lists for our little family. Because we often travel to grandparents' houses for the holidays, we keep both sets of these traditions. . . just alternated every other year.  I am eager to see the list of Christmas season traditions that our kids will compile. As our families grow, new ideas are added and new traditions created. One of my favorites from our Florida years has been visiting the decorated lobbies of Disney hotels or to visit the theme parks for which we have annual passes.We pretend to be tourists and soak in the holiday hub bub- crowds and all. The more the merrier. We all five love it. Yes, we love it all.

No matter what way we celebrate, both Dan and I were taught to make all of the hype and silliness about the worship of the Lord, to celebrate His birth. What an amazing gift we have already received. We teach this to our children as well.

Traditionally, reading the Christmas story from the Bible is not required in our home on Christmas morning, because we are all learning about this big event on a regular basis. It is so helpful however to refocus our attention on the Newborn King in big and small ways. It keeps us joyful instead of stressed. We can then remove the self-centeredness of this gift getting holiday.

Merry Christmas, Friends and Family,
Leigh Ann

December 22 & 23: Heart Change

This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after He was raised from the dead. Matthew 20:14

A sincere change of heart
Has found me here today.
The fear I once knew
Was not here to stay.

A year ago, I could not see
What God had planned
For my heart
Or for me.

Seeking but not finding,
My nets wanting more.
God's Word ever faithful,
I rowed over to the shore.

He was waiting for us to arrive.
A smile upon his face.
That beach fire burning bright
For our catch to be placed.

He was giving us instructions
When we didn't know Him
He was guiding us all along
But we didn't know Him.

Now safely on the beach,
Resting in His care.
My strong guard is watching,
I know that He's aware.

"It is the Lord," we all cried out.
I recognize him now.
You know, Lord,  that I love you.
My challenge is showing you how.

LALC
12.23.16

December 20 & 21: Two for One

We live 8 and 13 and 16 hours from our family members. We have traveled these miles every year for 22 years to spend face time and stay connected with our loved ones. Our three kids are amazing road trippers. We look forward to the time in the car together: Charlotte writing silly songs about our adventures, Will watching movies and asking for a turn to select the music, and Julia on standby to efficiently assist parents and siblings but preferably reading a book that she can't put down.

The annual adventure is usually great. The annual planning and packing is usually taxing. Each year, I plan to not be overwhelmed and stressed. Each year, I set aside a packing day, which is really a laundry day. Each year, I start early, but somehow still have things in the dryer the night before we leave. Each year, we always forget someone's something, including but not limited to pajamas, shoes, a jacket, or a toothbrush. Three years in a row, I forgot to pack socks for myself. I eventually gave my mom replacement socks for all of the pairs I had "borrowed." I chose cute pairs that I would be happy to wear if the need arose.

But my travel conditions are changing. My daughters now pack their own clothes, and Will can pack his own carry on of car entertainment items.  We still have to tell our darling Charlotte, now aged 14, that she has over packed. And Will is following in her footsteps by asking to bring large plastic bins of toys surpassing the size and weight limit for the van's storage area. Now, we count chargers for phones and are even taking two cars, because one of our travelers will return to her dorm instead of her room here at our house. (sigh)

Traveling to be with family during busy holidays is always a trade off. Hectic planning and hurrying to complete local activities and spend time with friends is always rushed. But this pays off when we are all there and settled in for the big celebration. When you stay home alone, your days are not as rushed, but Christmas Day or Easter, traditionally big family events, can be very lonely without the giggles of cousins and crowded couches full of relatives watching movies together. The food prep is simpler, but the menu is not as varied as the one with Granddaddy's special spiced pecans.

Please do not hear melancholy in this post. The trade off is part of life. We are always choosing. We love to travel to Alabama, Georgia, and finally this year to Texas to see our families. We choose to be close even though we are far away. We choose joy in the holidays spent both with and without the crowd. We choose to celebrate rather than just corroborate our lists. Christmas brings perspective. I will finish the list, and then I will sit and watch and absorb the joy of the season. I will celebrate all that God has given me.

Psalm 9:1-2 is my heart's simple honest prayer today: I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

I missed a post yesterday, so today needs to count as a two for one. I made a choice yesterday to play and be silly with my kids and cousins. Merry Christmas to all! I am so blessed by each one of you reading this.

December 19: My Good Good Father

I like answers to questions, fruit on trees, and solutions to problems. I don't mind analysis as long as it does not lead to paralysis.  This easily carries over to my faith walk. When I pray, I am hoping to see God answer my prayers. When I seek, I expect to find. Today, we shall address the dilemma of a Scrooge spirit at Christmastime.

Before you dismiss me as a ridiculous optimist, read these verses from Matthew 7. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 

This is a pep talk from Jesus, encouraging us to ask God for help and for things that we need. He is also modeling how we can treat others. As we Christmas shop for our family members, we first consider what they are asking for, what that person wants.  Sometimes the items on their minds and on their lists are not good for them or not available. But often, we give thoughtful gifts as a way to bless that person. We (usually) joyfully give. When Jesus was explaining how the Father perceives our needs and our requests, I thought of my own imperfect perception. Of course I have given gifts in a less than cheerful way, but I strive to get my heart right before I give. Even if the gift was purchased in a begrudging way, I pray for joy before I deliver it to its recipient. Before you dismiss me as a ridiculous idealist, read this concluding verse - Matthew 7:12. So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. 

I know that my Heavenly Father gives generously to those who ask. I know that my Heavenly Father even gave up his only Son for me. My relationship and provision requests are easy for Him. I know that I want to bless my children, family and friends at Christmas. I want to give and receive cheerfully. I want to have generous feelings for them as they have them for me.





 

December 18: Fire

I am having such a lovely time studying the Gospels, rereading each writer's own telling of the Christmas story. As I read over each detail of the nativity story, I rediscover the pieces that are wistful or connected, and I notice that certain details are repeated by several writers. I enjoy stopping to investigate them.
I prayed about the verses below. The topic of the Holy Spirit is always complex. Who is he really? The Father and the Son have clear roles and identities. The Holy Spirit is apparently baptizing with fire. What does that mean anyway?

Read these verses below and then try to find time to read them in context. Think about other references to the Holy Spirit, those describing him as a Counselor and a Comforter.

Remember John the Baptist, cousin of the Messiah, who preached a message of repentance. He prepared the way for Jesus who then, in turn, left us the Holy Spirit. Put all of this together, and see that three books, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, all report that John said this about his Messiah cousin:

In Matthew, John announced,  "I baptize you with water for repentance. He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
In Mark, we read: I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
And in Luke: I (John the Baptist) baptize you with water. But . . .He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

 What does baptism by fire mean to you? Why do you think that the Holy Spirit's realm of influence goes beyond John's? Why do we need water and fire? Let's have lunch and discuss this. 

I know that we need the Son and Savior Jesus, our direct link to the Father. But Jesus knew that we needed the Holy Spirit, our direct link to His power. 




 

December 17: Those who bring good news

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  

How, then,  can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news."  Romans 10:13-15

These verses guide us step by step through our responsibilities as believers.
Someone is sent by God. We need to be available for obedience and to simply respond.
Someone is sent to preach the Good News. Just focus on the message being shared. Tell your news.
Someone hears preaching. The Holy Spirit has their attention now.
Someone believes. They receive their greatest Christmas gift.

Now they are telling others the good news. And wow, that Scripture is true. Look down; you do have beautiful, beautiful feet. 

December 16: Lyrics

On the last day before Christmas break, middle schoolers are full of energy. Make up work from this quarter's absences, online reading quizzes and Christmas charades require all of that exuberance. Today, in my class, we played a game where groups were given cards with lines from popular Christmas songs; the groups acted out lines from Christmas songs. The class was asked to guess the lyrics. Students were quickly, accidentally playing Name that Tune instead of my invented version.

No, we were not looking for the song title. I needed to hear the exact line for which the group was offering clues.

Dashing through the snow.
Not Jingle Bells.

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
Not Away in a Manger.

The lyrics matter. Being specific matters. When we pray, let's pray detailed prayers that honor God and are measurable.  I asked God. He answered me. I praise Him and rejoice in the miracle He provided. --------> My faith and the faith of others around me is strengthened. God is glorified.

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:8

December 15: When he speaks

So, as amazing as the miracle births of cousins baby John and baby Jesus are, there is more to the story of Zechariah and his faith story. I always think of Zechariah when I know that the Holy Spirit is asking for my silence. As many of my friends and family know about me, I say more than I am ever asked to say on a given subject. Many Words would be my Native American name. My temptation to over explain is a real struggle. Most of my sin life involves my words. James Chapter 3 teaches about taming the tongue. The Holy Spirit has assigned this to me as homework so. many. times.

Well, I can certainly relate to my amigo Zechariah the priest, who blurted out "How can I be sure of this?" He doubted the miracle message about his barren wife having a baby, and the messenger named Gabriel quickly rebuked him.

"I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not be able to speak until the day this happens. . ."

Today, I want to focus on receiving good news when I hear it. I want to lay aside doubt. I want to listen more and talk less, so that God does not need to require my silence. Remember that the Lord silenced Zechariah only until the baby was born. Then, no restraint was needed. Even "Be still and know that I am God." has a specific purpose and a specific timeline. God is moving. He is breathing life. He is even telling us about it.

But just like a new baby needs to time to grow and develop, the good work that God is doing in our lives may need that too.

December 14: Father, Son, and . . .Cousin

As Anna did, many faithful Jews were actively looking for the Messiah's arrival. A priest named Zechariah was an expectant believer. He was awaiting the arrival of the majestic King, but he and his wife Elizabeth were also privately praying for a baby of their own. They received a double blessing.

The Messiah would be a relative, a baby born to Elizabeth's cousin Mary. And their own miracle baby. . .was on the way. As with all Nativity related announcements, an angel was sent to relay the message.

Listen to the angel's amazing announcement from Luke 1: Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous- to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 

I love this entire description. It's every Christian parent's dream for their son. And if your son happens to be the cousin of the Savior, it would be even more important.

John, the Baptizer, was an answer to prayer for his parents. He lived a consecrated, Holy Spirit filled life. He preached a unique message of repentance and was a revival leader.  John was a part of a family that supported their Messiah-cousin on a whole other level. God chose John to prepare the way for the Lord. What an honor to be a part of this family.

To be continued. . .

December 13: Poet-In-Residence

Our poet-in -residence young William wrote some holiday verse that is sure to keep our hearts turned toward the Star of Christmas.  Read these couplets, and remember the background of the most festive spelling list a boy could ask for. Enjoy!

December has Christmas times.
May I share some Christmas rhymes?
God is our Lord and Savior,
And Jesus had the best human behavior.
And is this Savior there the Christ?
2000 years ago on Christmas day, our Messiah came as a prize.
Our next word is Emmanuel.
The Bible is the reason that we all are well.
He was born in Bethlehem.
Angels appeared to the shepherds with great news.
The angels told them about Him. 

- William J. Crawford/ 12-12-16

December 12: All Together

Ten empty Christmas CD cases were found. Every Christmas CD we own had gone missing. As I opened each case to check for the discs, I realized what I had done.

Last Christmas before our holiday road trip through Alabama, I bought a nice new CD portfolio case that I filled with our favorites, including the family's Christmas music collection. Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael W. Smith and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer were safely tucked into the new case. They were never returned to their own individual cases. And a whole year later, I could not find any of them on the day that I wanted to deck my halls with boughs of holly, a tradition usually carried out with loud singing to my favorite Christmas songs.

Yesterday was a busy day celebrating our December daughter. But in a rare quiet moment,  I remembered the portfolio. I rushed to the car, opened the black zipped case and rediscovered the joy of Christmas.

I found the music of the season. All together. That was the secret: I loved sharing these songs with my family at home, with friends at Christmas parties, with brothers and sisters at church, and with strangers at a concert. What unifying power! They bond us together. Instantly, the familiar lyrics transform us into a choir. The festive tunes and words bring us all together.

December 11: In Store

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

What kinds of treasures cannot be stolen? Words, feelings, thoughts, emotions. They are safely tucked within us. Stockpiling tech gifts and gift cards leave us vulnerable to thieves, and we are painfully monitoring our stuff before it decays or is stolen. We are so exposed and stressed trying to protect our pile. There is a better way. 

Although initially your mind may hop over to the Wise Men bringing gifts for Baby Jesus, gifts that far surpass any Target gift registry, stop for a minute and ponder these thieves. We now deal with the true hazards of having treasure in current day life: where there is treasure, there is also someone wanting to take that treasure. We need to stockpile the good gifts of God's Word. They are hidden in our heart, so that we don't sin against God.  (Psalm 119:11) They are hidden in our heart and cannot be taken from us.

The Wise Men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (All three had significant meanings that we may explore another time.) These magi, as they were called, were shrewdly asked by Herod to reveal the baby's location so that "he could also worship this new king." Or not. Protecting the baby showed the treasure of their heart.

Who or what needs your protection from rust and theft? Just tuck these things in your heart, and keep them safe. Store up heavenly treasures. Store up the ideas and plans that God has spoken into your life. There, in your heart, you store Godly treasures, for the day when you need them.

December 10: In the land of the living

Meet Anna.
"There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷ and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. ³⁸ Coming up to them (Mary, Joseph, and Jesus) at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem." (Luke 2)
Anna's paragraph in the Bible is tucked into the Christmas story. She recognized the Messiah when she saw him as a young boy at the temple with his parents. From these few verses, we know so much about her faithfulness. We know that she was a worshiper who fasted and prayed. We know that she was a prophet, which means that she was wisely anticipating the arrival of the Messiah. We know that she was grateful when she saw the holy family. We know that she preached. Wow. She immediately told others about the child. She told those who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Oh Anna. 
We are thankful that you did not lose heart. You prayerfully waited for Israel's rescue, and you were able to meet the young Jesus. What a thrill for you. 

What a thrill for us.  We will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13