Author: Grace Day

climbing my family tree

Posted on by Grace Day

On second thought that’s the wrong title. The title should be “getting to the root of it” because the question asked is “how far back can you go in your family tree?” So I am looking for my roots, which will take some digging, so to speak. The branches of my family tree are in plain sight, but its roots are hidden from view and from memory as well. Finding my family tree’s roots will require uncovering what is hidden. Or will it?

It occurs to me I have known the answer to this question all along. I’m going to go out on a limb (pun intended) and say my family tree goes back to Adam and Eve. Then I realize this branch is long gone and I’m going to need to find another limb upon which to stand. You see, there was this flood and everyone died – except for this man named Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives. Noah had believed God and been brave enough and obedient enough to build a huge boat on dry land with no water in sight and no memory of it ever having rained upon the earth previously. That’s either foolishness or faithfulness. Turns out it was the latter.

At this point I want to claim victory and say I’ve won the tree climbing or root digging or tree tracing contest. I can trace my family tree all the way back to Noah! Then I realize, so can everyone else alive today. There is one race – the human race. Saying we are all brothers and sisters is more than just a metaphor or sappy song lyrics. It’s actually true! Time and geographical distance have produced many languages, customs of dress and food, nationalities as countries came into being and differences in physical characteristics – but we are all fruit of the same tree.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:26-27)

Wow! My roots are right there in plain sight. I am created in God’s image. He is my Heavenly Father. Today, many are engaged in a search for their roots, hoping that when they learn where they came from, this knowledge will guide them to where they are going and give them a sense of meaning and purpose along the way. Knowing whose I am, does provide me that sense of belonging and identity that we all seek. It is important for each of us to know that we were created on purpose, for a purpose. These words from Psalm 139 remind me that this is true.

“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:13-16)

As a child of God, I am part of a living, growing family tree that reaches into eternity. I belong to this eternal family – I have a place in it. Psalm 68:4-6 tells me,

“His name is the Lord – and rejoice before Him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families,”

Is it surprising or even shocking to discover that we are all related? If we have been focusing solely on our differences to the exclusion of all our similarities, we might be surprised to discover we share the same roots and are created in the same image – God’s. Each one of us is God’s “handiwork” or “masterpiece” as Ephesians 2:10 says. Seems ironic, that many today are searching, hoping to discover through genetics, family members they might be missing – while our family tree is all around us. Culture wants us to focus on our differences. Christ came to call us together as His dearly beloved children, whom He gave His life to redeem.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

“Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” (Colossians 3:11)

In tracing our what we think are individual trees, we discover we share our roots with everyone. They are roots common to us all – we are human beings created in God’s image from the dust of the earth. If only we could see each other the way our Creator God sees us.

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

And our hearts are all the same – all created by God, for God.

“He has set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Searches for one’s roots are at their root searches for connection and belonging. Writing this has reminded me once again that we are all inextricably connected, whether we want to be or not. I am surrounded by brothers and sisters who are more like me than I will ever know if I never look beyond the outward appearance of the people I come in contact with every day. Other countries, other cultures, those that speak a different language? We all have the same Heavenly Father whose image we bear. If only we could recognize that image in each other. We are related for eternity! Might as well get to know each other now.

Surprisingly, it turns out there is only one family tree – the family of humankind. Lots of different branches – but all fed from the same root – the Root of Jesse – who is the Messiah – who is Jesus. Jesus, is also called the True Vine – we are the branches on this Vine – producing fruit as we live connected to the eternal, living Vine. But that’s a post for another day. Whether a tree or a vine, we are all connected to each other in more ways than we could ever imagine. Guess I’ll spend what time I have left looking for those commonalities and connections rather than the divisions forced upon us by culture or convention.

“You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26)

sincerely, Grace Day

rain

Posted on by Grace Day

torrents of tears, pellets of pain pounding the pavement, pouring forth as God weeps over the world –

God’s tears – raining down over earth’s barren brownness -turning to green, bringing back to life all once believed to be beyond hope

“the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.” (Romans 4:17)

rain – teardrops of the Creator falling fearlessly, faithfully to the ground washing away dead debris, letting new life grow up in once forsaken spaces

rain – filling our rivers and our streams, our lakes and our ponds, our oceans and our inlets, our marshes and our bayous to overflowing with life giving liquid

rain – gentle, torrential, refreshing, terrifying, comforting, cleansing teardrops from heaven

rain – falls silently with deafening drumbeat – followed by mysterious mists rising, revealing sparkling jewels in droplets of water adorning everything in sight – earth bathed and renewed, rejoicing under the rainbow revealed when raindrops ceased to fall

the rainbow – exquisite beauty designed to make glad the heart after the storm – a reward, a reminder – a reminder of the promise of a faithful Creator God to me and to you – the rainbow, the sign of God’s covenant with all mankind stretching across the sky – inescapable, unexpected, unexplainable – the promise of life everlasting

“And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.’ ” (Genesis 9:12-16)

the rainbow – a promise kept, hope – life after the storm, the rain will not destroy – the rain will bring life, renewal, cleansing, refreshing

“”Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)

rain – rain is water, water sustains all life – God’s own tears falling from the sky, bring life to me and to you!

Jesus said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” (John 7:37-38)

“I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor Me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to My people, My chosen, the people I formed for Myself that they may proclaim My praise.” (Isaiah 43:19-21)

rain – without it we perish. I grieve God a thousand times a day and yet as He weeps over me, out of His grief He sustains my life with His tears

my Heavenly Father rains down His mercy, forgiveness, compassion, protection, provision, His manna, unceasingly from heaven

“for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

the Lord weeps and the earth is brought back to life again and again – food grows, thirsty people are refreshed

rain – water used to baptize – a symbol of the old being washed away and of new life in Christ

the Lord weeps and the earth is washed clean for a new beginning

Lord, when it rains, when Your tears fall on me, may they be tears of Your mercy, compassion, forgiveness – tears that will wash away my sin and heal my soul – let Your rain restore and redeem me – reign in my life, Lord – rain on me! reign over me!

“The Lord reigns, He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago; You are from all eternity.” (Psalm 93:1-2)

“The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.” (Psalm 97:1)

the Lord reigns! the Lord in His mercy sends the rain and the rainbow – a reminder of His everlasting covenant with all mankind

sincerely, Grace Day

today’s query

Posted on by Grace Day

The question posed to me – “Why do you write?” My response? Because I can’t paint or draw. It’s as simple as that. After all, isn’t a picture worth one thousand words? If I could paint a picture to express what I desire to communicate, I certainly would. Unfortunately, I can’t. So I am forced to take the longer, more laborious route of searching for the words that will say eventually what a painting says in an instant, in the blink of an eye, in that moment when the beholder first lays eyes on it. In that moment, the painting puts its entire message forth to be received by the viewer. The reader, however, will need time to read and time to process the one thousand words written on the page.

My grandmother was a painter. She painted landscapes and still-lifes in oils mostly. I loved her landscapes because most were of sand dunes, lakes and boats and such, reminding me of time spent as a child on a lake I loved. Paintings can do that – bring memories and feelings to life, making you feel you are right there once again. But since I can’t paint, putting my heart on canvas, I write, pouring my heart into words. Often words don’t seem enough or don’t seem adequate – but that’s all I’ve got, so I persist in pursuing meaning through writing, which can be shared with others.

Which is another reason why I write, actually – to connect with other people. Words are the building blocks of language. Language allows us to share information and experiences with others. Words are the bridge that binds us together. Unfortunately, words are also the bombs that blow those carefully crafted bridges up and tear us apart.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue (words) of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18)

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24)

That’s why I write – to encourage and inspire whoever might be reading at the moment, to bring healing and hope to someone who might be having an especially tough day. I write to point others to the source of my comfort, peace, purpose, identity, joy and hope – the Living God, Creator of the universe, who coincidentally is also known as the Living Word!

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Moses said this to the Israelites, reminding them just how vital God’s words are –

“They are not just idle words for you – they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” (Deuteronomy 32:47)

Words are important – that’s why I write. Some might even say words are life itself.

“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matthew 4:4)

God’s words are life giving, life sustaining words. I write to share His words with others. The challenge as a writer is always to find the “right” words to write (pun intended) with my goal being to uplift the reader, to fill them with hope or comfort or peace or whatever they might be in need of at the time they would chance to read my words and more importantly, to read God’s living, eternal words. I write because words matter and words make a difference.

“A word aptly spoken (or written) is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11)

As a writer, I guess I’m always searching for the perfect words to express what I can’t paint, to say what my heart longs to make known. Words are the bridges I put out there, hoping someone will walk across one of them, making it possible to share in life’s journey together if even for the briefest of moments of connection.

my words may not long be remembered – however, not so with God’s words – they last and they have power –

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)

“so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

I will continue to write, with this prayer my plea to God every day –

“May the words of my mouth (and of my pen) and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

sincerely, Grace Day

desires, dreams and aspirations

Posted on by Grace Day

Today is typically a day dedicated to making resolutions, setting goals, looking forward – it’s a time of planning, of plotting a path that will take me to where I want to go. But what if I don’t know where I want to go? What if I don’t have an end goal or a particular destination in mind? Am I doomed to wander aimlessly, without a purpose to direct my days and give order to my steps? Somehow, this doesn’t seem like a very promising start to the new year.

I should be identifying goals, making graphs and charts – ok, well at least lists, I should be making lists, lists of all kinds – check lists, to do lists, lists of books to read, of home projects to start, home projects to finish, lists of new hobbies I’ve been meaning to take up, a new class at the gym, that story I never finished . . . the lists could be long and there could be many of them. If I could create enough of these lists, maybe they could guide me through this coming year. They could provide the direction and purpose I seek and a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment every time I could check a box or cross something off my list.

It’s good to have a plan going forward and lists can help me create that plan and make it concrete. Goal setting, planning, lists, resolutions – these will give me control over my future and what lies ahead in this new year. Well, if not actual control, at least I’ll have a sense or a feeling of control as I make my plans, set my goals and write my infinite lists – work lists, wish lists, wildest dreams lists . . . lists of endless possibilities. Isn’t that what I’m really looking for, some measure of control over my unknown future? Yet even as I’m making my plans, these words run through my head –

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

Based on my experiences in years past, I assume this coming year will be full – full of the unexpected and the unforeseen, full of gain and loss, joy and sadness, peace and pain – there will be challenges I am probably not prepared to face, but who among us is until called to do so? I’m pretty sure there will be plenty of mountains to move or to climb in the days and months ahead. Maybe my resolution will be not to turn my molehills into mountains since there are already enough mountains to keep me challenged. Maybe this year I will resolve to pay more attention to the journey, which is my present, than to an elusive destination that may or may not be my future. Maybe I will give up control and see where life takes me. Maybe I will trust more and become a better follower. I don’t know what the future holds but I know the One who does know.

“I am God and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.” (Isaiah 46:9-10)

This year I will – “Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct my paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Letting my Heavenly Father direct my path this year – that sounds like both a challenge and an adventure. Am I willing to do this? Abraham did just this very thing. God called him and Abraham answered. It went down like this –

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.’ . . . So Abram left, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him.” (Genesis 12:1-4)

That’s trust, that’s faith, because God didn’t tell Abraham where he would be going. Abraham didn’t know his final destination, he had to trust God to direct his steps every day of the journey. The journey would prepare him for what lay ahead. Abraham didn’t know what lay ahead of him, but God did. And that was enough. It was also enough for the brothers Peter and Andrew, who were busy fishing when Jesus called them.

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow Me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:18-20)

Like Abraham, Peter and Andrew didn’t know what lay ahead of them, but they trusted the One who did know, the One who called them to leave everything and follow Him. Jesus knew what the future held and that was enough. It’s enough for me, too. I will have to make this choice new every day if I am to follow well and let my Heavenly Father order my steps each day. So that is what I will do – every day a challenge, a joy, a sorrow, an adventure filled with a purpose not my own – following God’s path rather than my own plan.

“Then He (Jesus) called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: ‘If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?’ ” (Mark 8:34-37)

faith is not for the faint of heart, may I have the courage to surrender and to follow where You lead every day, Lord –

sincerely, Grace Day

Christmas and Communion – what they have in common

Posted on by Grace Day

Christmas is a celebration of the sacred – or at least at its core it is, even though the sacred can become buried beneath an avalanche of commercialism and all but forgotten if no one is vigilant to rescue it from beneath the mound of marketing and mayhem that surround this season. But the sacred is there for those who would seek it out – all the miracles that make up Christmas (which I wrote about in a previous post) from the virgin birth to a conquering King arriving as a helpless baby, are what we need to remember in order to truly understand this unfathomable miracle God has done on our behalf. Greater than the parting of the Red Sea or the raising of Lazarus from the dead – God leaving His infinite dwelling place of eternal glory, power, perfection, peace, beauty and majesty, in order to enter into our finite, temporal, broken, painful, chaotic world as a frail human being, is a miracle beyond belief. And yet that’s exactly what God did.

That’s the sacred miracle of Christmas that I never want to forget. Because when I forget what God has done, then doubt enters into those places in me that had been filled with faith. Remembering what God has done and remembering His Word – these two things fill up the spaces of my heart and mind with memories of God’s goodness and God’s faithfulness to me and with the truth of His living Word. It is only when I forget, that faith fades, leaving room for doubt, fear and deceit to enter in – able now to occupy the places left empty by faith’s absence. When I forget the truth, I will believe the lie!

This is why I must remember. This is why satan hopes I will forget. Because when I forget God’s goodness, God’s character, God’s faithfulness to me – doubt enters in and separates me from my Heavenly Father. Forgetfulness – that must have been what happened to the Israelites in the desert. God had just rescued them in dramatic fashion from Egypt, by parting the Red Sea in two so they could cross on dry ground! And then for good measure, God put the sea back together just in time to drown all the Egyptians who were pursuing them. But apparently the Israelites soon forgot this miracle of God, because not long afterwards they made a golden calf statue and began worshiping it. Certainly, if they were focused on remembering God’s mighty miracles on their behalf, they would not have done such a foolish thing?

This is what Christmas and Communion have in common – they are rituals of remembrance. They are celebrations of God’s goodness – celebrations of what God has done for us. We are to remember and to celebrate, so that we don’t forget. Because when we forget, we are prone to wander away from God just like the Israelites.

“The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

Those are Jesus’s instructions to His disciples. Communion or The Lord’s Supper is a time for us to remember what Jesus did for us. When I take Communion, I remember all over again that Jesus died in my place, paid my price, forgave my sins, came out of the grave on the third day and is coming back again for me. I am filled with hope and joy when I call these truths to mind and reflect on them. But when I forget the message of Communion, which is how much God loves me, when I forget the high price my Heavenly Father paid to purchase my freedom and secure my eternal life with Him, then I find I forget my identity as His dearly loved child, I forget my worth – I forget my reason for hope and I sink into despair.

Communion – remembering what Jesus did on that cross, keeps me connected to my Creator and to the truth. That’s what remembering does – keeps me connected, so I don’t drift away or become separated from my Heavenly Father. Christmas, like Communion, is all about remembering what God did for us when He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth. Christmas is about remembering and celebrating the birth of Jesus. This celebration has been hijacked for centuries by cultures all over the world, adding their own traditions and events under the banner of Christmas – which at times threatens to extinguish the true miracle that we remember at Christmas, Christ’s birth.

Christ’s birth is a miracle of such magnitude, that it is by far the greatest singular event in human history. The Eternal Creator God entered into the temporal, the Infinite into the finite, Light entered into our darkness, the Divine came to dwell with the human, the Sacred Son of God entered into the profane, the Sinless One with the sinful, the Healer walked among the sick and healed all our infirmities, the Truth came to expose all lies, the Good Shepherd came to reclaim His flock from the evil one, Love came to triumph over hate, Life came to conquer death once for all – the One who is the way, the truth and the life came into our world to set the captives free! (that’s us – we are the captives)

Seems like we should be celebrating this event every day, not just once a year. For sure, we should be remembering every day just what great links our Heavenly Father went to, to rescue us from the death sentence under which we live since choosing our way over His in the garden. That’s the part of Christmas that I want to remember well – that Jesus came!

Prophesies were fulfilled, God’s promise kept, the promised Messiah arrived in God’s perfect timing. Remembering these truths is the reason I rejoice. It is the reason for my hope. Christmas Advent is a season of hope. Communion is a sacred call to remember what Jesus did in defeating death and therefore a call to hope, in Christ’s return and in His promise of everlasting life.

“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)

“The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” (Matthew 11:5)

That’s what happened when Christmas happened and our world has not been the same since.

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Christmas and Communion – the King has come – the King is coming!

The King came that first Christmas as a baby in a manger. People were not prepared to receive Him. They hadn’t made room for Him. They didn’t recognize Jesus for who He truly was, the promised Messiah, so they didn’t open their homes and their hearts to Him. There was no room in the inn. There was no room in their lives for their long awaited Messiah.

“He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God -” (John 1:11-12)

Let it not be so with this Christmas nor with Communion – the King has come! The King is coming!

I will not forget. I will remember, rejoice and celebrate with every Christmas, with every Communion.

The King has come! The King is coming! make a way, prepare Him room, throw open the door, lift up the gates, let Him enter in and make His home with you today and forevermore!

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

“Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – He is the King of glory.” (Psalm 24:7-10)

sincerely, Grace Day

an ordinary day – extraordinary encounters

Posted on by Grace Day

Most days are ordinary days at first glance – until I take a closer look. However, I have to slow down enough to encounter the extraordinary that surrounds me amid the mundane of the day or I will miss it, as I nearly did today -twice! Both encounters were unsought and unexpected. Both left my heart ripped open. Empathy can be a dangerous thing, it leaves us vulnerable to other people’s pain – as if we don’t already carry around enough pain of our own on a daily basis. Today I am reminded once again of the truth of these words –

“Be kind – for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle that you know nothing about.”

Certainly good advice, that I would do well to remember as I go about my day. Today I crossed paths with two courageous women, each waging war valiantly against her current life circumstances. But I would never have known nor suspected had I not been privileged to find myself in conversation with each one during my routine morning visit to the gym. The first woman joined our exercise class midway through. I noticed her because she took a spot in the back corner, which is where I position myself during the class, my reasoning being that if I mess up, (which I do often – call it a misstep, call it a mistake – the back corner is the safest place to be) no one will notice because no one will see me.

So I welcomed this new woman to the class and we had some casual conversation during the class. But nothing prepared me for what she revealed as after class we continued to converse. Turns out she is undergoing chemo for stage four cancer. You would not guess this based on her outward appearance. She looked perfectly healthy and her countenance, her smile, her eyes, her demeanor were vibrant, communicating her zest for life. I would not have guessed the battle she is valiantly fighting every day is against stage four cancer. She told me she comes to the gym every day, to keep her physical, mental and emotional well being strong. She is fighting back. She is not giving up. She has two teenage children and a supportive family. What an inspiration she must be to each and every one of them. She was an inspiration to me today! If she can continue to fight her battle so courageously, who am I to complain about mine or to consider ceasing to fight the good fight?

I was deep in thought from this conversation as I was leaving the gym when my progress was blocked by a woman with a walker, who stopped literally at the entrance where the automatic doors opened and closed. She was trying unsuccessfully, I realized, to pull car keys from her coat pocket before going out into the cold. (I agree with this move – I already had my keys in hand as I didn’t want to be out in this cold any longer than necessary) I didn’t want to appear rude by going around her, but was contemplating offering to help her get her keys in hand, when she procured said keys and began to slowly move forward. Normally I would walk right on by, being in my usual hurry and all, but for some reason I fell into step alongside of her and struck up a conversation.

Because I did that, I had the privilege of meeting another courageous woman waging war on her circumstances, not content to let them have the final say. She would have the last word and I hope she does. She was needing to have weight loss surgery in order to be eligible for some needed knee surgery. Both those things would take time and require rehabilitation, but if successful, she would no longer need a walker. She told me her goal was to be able to kick a ball around with her two-year-old grandson. A worthy goal – hope – a reason to fight the battle. I was blown away by her courage and her vision – not to accept her situation but to fight her battle to change what was within her power to change. She has a vision of how things can be if she is willing to show up every day and fight her battle.

It takes courage to keep going in the face of hard, difficult, seemingly insurmountable circumstances. It takes great courage to get out of bed and to show up every day. It takes courage not to surrender to fear, pain or despair. I am totally inspired by both these women and their stories. What an unexpected gift I was given today!

“Oh Lord, forgive me when I whine. I have two legs, the world is mine! . . . Oh Lord, forgive me when I whine. I have two eyes, the world is mine!” O Lord, forgive me when I whine, I have . . . the world is mine! I could fill that blank in with so many things that are the good gifts my Heavenly Father has given me – none of which I have earned or deserve. They are simply the result of God’s mercy and goodness.

“The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.” (Psalm 145:9)

I go to the gym to get strong. Today I think my conversations with these two courageous women strengthened me more than my physical workout did. I am buoyed in spirit while being reminded once again, always to be kind because I have no idea the hard battles those around me are facing and fighting every day. Today I got a look behind the curtain at two such battles and the courageous women who are fighting them. May I always be ready to lend a hand, an ear, words of encouragement and of hope, a prayer, a plea – may I take the time to stand in the gap.

Thank You, Lord, for the privilege of sharing the burdens of others. You are the Author of empathy. You took on flesh and came to make Your home with us for awhile – just so You could walk a mile in our shoes. Yes, You truly are the Author of empathy!

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:14-15)

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

sincerely, Grace Day

Advent’s afterglow – the miracles of Christmas

Posted on by Grace Day

As I reflect on Christmas just two days after said celebration, I realize something – all of Christmas is a miracle from start to finish – the greatest miracle, the greatest story ever told, the best gift ever given – Jesus. It’s all miraculous – there is no other explanation. That God would leave His home in heaven and come here to walk a few miles in our human, earthly shoes – nothing short of a miracle!

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8)

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:14-15)

That God loved us even though we had turned our backs on Him and were still sinners – loved us enough to send His one and only Son to us – that’s a miracle.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

A Christmas miracle – eternity entered into our temporal existence tearing time in two forever – a miracle. Thirty-three years later, a curtain would be torn in two from top to bottom – we would no longer be separated from our Creator God – a miracle!

Miracle upon miracle – a virgin birth, Old Testament prophecies fulfilled, God’s promises kept (to send us a much needed Savior), angels talking to shepherds, wise men being led by a star, Simeon and Anna rejoicing at the sight of the baby Jesus, knowing they were witnessing God’s faithfulness to mankind revealed, knowing death was already defeated, even though it would be thirty-three years later and they would not live to see the earthly resurrection of their long awaited Messiah – they didn’t need to – they believed God and now they had seen His promised Savior with their own eyes. This miracle of seeing the Christ Child filled them with joy and with hope. God’s True Light had entered into our dark world.

“The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. . . . In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:9, 4-5)

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ ” (John 8:12)

Today our culture’s commercialization of Christmas threatens to cover up the true miracle that is Christmas – but it can’t. The True Light has come into our world and the darkness cannot hide it. Rather the light shines in our darkness and overcomes it! This is the hope of Christmas! God’s ways are certainly not our ways. The miracle of Christ’s birth in the way it took place, fulfilling every prophecy, was perfectly planned from before time began by our Heavenly Father. In the Nativity are the truth, the power and the miracle of Christmas, the reason we remember, celebrate and rejoice. Christ has come bringing light into a dark world, hope to a world in desperate despair, healing for all our brokenness, forgiveness and mercy to cover all our sins and His love to deliver us from certain death into everlasting life with Him. If that’s not a miracle worth celebrating, I don’t know what is!

Jesus – the Christ Child, the Messiah, the promised Savior, the Sacrificial Lamb, the conquering King – God’s miraculous, undeserved gift to each and every one of us. Jesus – God’s gift to you. God’s gift to me. I want to prepare Him room. I want to receive Him. I want to remember what God has given me – a Savior, an Advocate, a Redeemer – a reason to rejoice and to celebrate.

The King has come! The King is coming! – the miracle of Christmas – a miracle worth remembering, a miracle worth celebrating!

“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. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.’ ” (Luke 2:10-14)

sincerely, Grace Day

the King is coming!

Posted on by Grace Day

The King is coming! Make haste! Make way!

the King is coming! Today’s the day!

The King is coming! make room! make space! clear the way! prepare a place!

Let every heart prepare Him room. Don’t delay – He’ll be here soon!

God’s eternal promise in His perfect timing kept, while the Holy Babe in a manger slept.

All the prophesies of old fulfilled – the hearts of all the angels thrilled

to see the miracle come to pass – Immanuel, God with man at last.

Good news, great joy, peace on earth to men – Eternity has entered in!

Into our darkness the Light has come – with eternal life for anyone

who will open the door and let Him in – the King has come to rescue us from sin!

The King is coming from heaven on high – you will hear His voice in a baby’s cry

Wise men sought Him, shepherds bowed down – to the King who would one day wear the crown

of thorns upon His head, this tiny baby in the manger bed.

Shout Hosana, rejoice and sing! Hallelujahs to the King!

The King is coming! He will be here soon! Prepare the way – make haste, make room!

Lift up the gates, throw the doors open wide – let the King come in, forever to abide

filling your empty spaces with His hope, joy and love – until you rest with Him above.

The King is coming! Make Him room, don’t delay. Let Him in! Let Him in! The King has come to stay!

“In the desert prepare the way for the Lord, make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:3-5)

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

“Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – He is the King of glory.” (Psalm 24:7-10)

sincerely, Grace Day

gifts of Advent

Posted on by Grace Day

I do not go to birthday parties empty handed. I always bring a gift for the guest of honor, for the one whose birthday is being celebrated. And every time I wonder, is my gift something the person being celebrated will like? Will they find my gift acceptable? Will I be embarrassed or ashamed when they open my gift? It is a sad feeling to believe that you have nothing to give or to think that what you do have to give has no value and so will not be accepted nor welcomed by anyone.

Maybe that’s why I remember so clearly from childhood the Christmas song, “The Little Drummer Boy.” Being a child myself at the time, I completely identified with the little boy and his dilemma. The words to the song tell the story of this little boy invited to see the baby Jesus –

“Come they told me . . . A newborn King to see . . . Our finest gifts we bring . . . To lay before the King . . . So to honor Him, when we come.”

We know what fine gifts the three Wise Men brought to the baby Jesus. They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh – gifts considered fit for a King. But for the little drummer boy, there is a problem. He doesn’t have anything so splendid as those lavish gifts that he could present to the baby Jesus.

“Little Baby . . . I am a poor boy too . . . I have no gift to bring . . . that’s fit to give the King . . . “

This is the same problem the hero in my favorite Christmas book, “The Littlest Angel” has. A small boy, who has recently become the littlest angel in heaven, has no gift to give the Christ Child on His birthday. I feel the agony and the angst of both the little drummer boy and the littlest angel as if it were my own. And if truth be told, it is my own. I still feel the agony today of coming empty handed into the presence of my Redeemer and King – the King – the King of the universe – the King of all eternity.

Truly, the cattle on a thousand hills are His. What can I possibly offer to the Creator of all things? Well, I can learn something from both the little drummer boy and the littlest angel. The little drummer boy gave to the Christ child the one thing that was his alone to offer up –

“Shall I play for You? . . . On my drum? Mary nodded, . . . The ox and lamb kept time, . . . I played my drum for Him, . . . I played my best for Him, . . . Then He smiled at me, . . . Me and my drum”

The little drummer boy offered up to God his God given talent. He gave what he had freely received from God, back to God, using his talent to entertain the sacred, holy child. As the song tells us, he gave his best and baby Jesus smiled – his gift was accepted. His gift was received with the smile of the Christ Child.

It was the same for the littlest angel. He gave what was most precious to him to the Christ Child on His birthday. This was a small wooden box containing his earthly treasures – a golden-winged butterfly, a sky blue bird’s egg, two white stones and the collar of his old dog. This was all the littlest angel had, all that connected him to his memories of earth. He felt his gift to be shabby and valueless in comparison to the other much grander gifts from the other angels. But the littlest angel’s gift was not only accepted but exalted by God, who knew the angel had given what he treasured most in all the universe.

So what can I bring to the Christ Child? My hands are empty. What have I of value to give to the King of Kings? What would please Him? I find an answer in Hosea 6:6 –

“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”

The prophet Micah struggled with this same question, wondering what he could possibly give to God that would be acceptable and well received. Here’s what he said –

“With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? . . . Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:6-8)

King David also asked this question, not wanting to come to God empty handed, but also not wanting to give a gift to God that He would not accept. I read David’s words in Psalm 51:16-17 –

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”

Paul said this in Romans 12:1-

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”

It would seem that God does not want a part of my possessions nor a part of me, but rather He wants me, all of me. He wants my heart – all of it. Nothing half-hearted will He accept, only my wholehearted surrender and devotion. When questioned by one of the teachers of the law, Jesus said this –

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)

“All” seems to be the operative word in that statement of Jesus. I’ve been worrying about showing up empty handed, when all along Jesus just wants me to show up at all, because He wants me, not what I can give Him. He doesn’t need anything, the world and everything in it are already His. The gift I can give God is my heart, all of it. I can clean out space and prepare Him room, just like the Christmas carol says, room to receive God’s gift of His Son, Jesus.

Turns out, the gift I can give God, is to accept His gift. I can make room and I can receive Jesus into my heart, home and life. God’s gift has been given. Will I receive Him? I may have come empty handed – but I will not remain that way. God’s gift of Jesus will fill me to overflowing with love, peace, joy, hope and life everlasting. I just have to open the door.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

“Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” (Psalm 24:7)

sincerely, Grace Day

an alien view of Advent

Posted on by Grace Day

So I was thinking – if I weren’t from planet earth but I ended up here during the time of Advent, what would I think people were celebrating? Knowing that advent is “the arrival of a notable person, thing or event”, for whom or for what would I think people were preparing? Who are they preparing to receive? What notable event are they celebrating? These would be the questions that I, being from an alien civilization, would be asking myself. I would want to make sense of all the preparations taking place around me. After all, inquiring minds want to know what all the fuss is about.

I start my investigation by talking with children. I find them more forthright and they seem much more excited about Advent or Christmas or whatever this is, than the adults do. Actually, the adults seem a bit stressed if not downright distressed during this season and they are much too busy to take the time to answer my questions. But children will tell it like it is. And so they do.

I learn they are preparing for the arrival of a man in a red suite who travels in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer. The sleigh is filled with toys and gifts for children all over the world who have been “good.” In preparation for this event the children tell me they sometimes write letters containing their requests to the red-suited man, named Santa Claus. Parents tell the children the chimney has been cleaned in anticipation of Santa’s arrival because that’s how Santa enters and exits each house, through the chimney. (this seems a bit peculiar to me but being from another planet, who am I to question Santa’s ways?)

Children are glad when their parents put Christmas lights on the roof and chimney of their house. This helps Santa find the house easily and land the sleigh on the clearly illuminated roof. The children tell me they also make cookies for Santa which they leave beside the fireplace along with a sandwich, milk and carrots for the reindeer. This is an important part of being prepared to receive Santa – figuring out what kind of cookies he likes and what kind of a sandwich they should leave for him. Another important part of being prepared for Santa’s arrival is putting up a Christmas tree and hanging up stockings for Santa to fill with gifts. Also, the children tell me they clean the house and make room, especially around the tree, for all the gifts they are expecting to get from this Santa Claus person.

I ask the children more about this red-suited Santa. How well do they really know him? Turns out, he comes once a year and he leaves the presents and fills the stockings and eats the food while they are sleeping, so they don’t really hang out with him. There are some books they read about him like “The Night Before Christmas”, but they don’t really have a relationship with this Santa guy, they just like him because he gives them gifts once a year.

At this point I began to wonder why this annual celebration is called Christmas. Seems to me it would more aptly be called Santamas. After all, everything seems to me to be done in preparation for Santa Claus’s annual arrival on the rooftops. He must be the notable person that everyone is preparing to receive. (except no one ever sees him, he’s in and out while everyone sleeps, and he says nothing except maybe the occasional “Ho! Ho! Ho!”) Santa’s midnight ride from rooftop to rooftop around the world must be the notable event that Advent celebrates. So I asked the children why the name Christmas? In response, they told me the most incredible story I have ever heard.

They told me Christmas is the celebration of a baby’s birthday. Now I was thinking, so many babies are born every day – why is the whole world remembering and celebrating one particular baby’s birth? Then I find out this baby was born two thousand twenty-two years ago and we are still celebrating His birthday, Christmas, to this day. Now I am really curious. There have been lots of famous people born over the years. We still know some of their names, but we don’t hold a big celebration of their birth every year with people taking the day off work and schools closed and all. Why this baby? Why Christmas?

Well it seems this baby, whose name is Jesus, is God’s only Son, the promised Messiah, the Christ child. Christmas, which literally means “Christ’s mass”, is the celebrating of the birth of this Christ child. Why remember? Why celebrate? Because the birth of Jesus is a miracle and the greatest gift God ever gave to mankind. The miracle is God coming to earth to live with human beings for a while. The miracle is why He came – to redeem those He had created for His own, to pay their price with His blood, to forgive their sins and to give them eternal life with Him.

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)

“You (Jesus) are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9)

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. . . . But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6,8)

As I observed firsthand the broken mess mankind has made of the world God gave them, it occurs to me that no one deserves any of these miraculous gifts that are God’s alone to give. But that’s the miracle of Christmas which continues to this day. God is still offering to me and to you, dear readers, the gift of His Son Jesus along with forgiveness, redemption, restoration and eternal life. This miracle of God sending us a Savior as promised, who is Jesus the Christ child, is really something to remember and to celebrate every day, not just once a year at Christmas.

So Jesus Christ is the notable person and His birth is the notable event that Advent and Christmas commemorate and celebrate every year. How did I miss this? The purpose of Advent is not to celebrate Santa’s arrival but to celebrate Jesus’s arrival here on earth. The miracle of Jesus coming to earth is far bigger than the surprise of toys under a tree on Christmas morning. Santa’s toys are temporal, God’s gift of Jesus is eternal!

As the children continued with the story of Jesus’s birth, which included shepherds, wise men, angels and a special star over the stable where baby Jesus lay in a manger, I began to understand why I was seeing images of a baby in a manger next to a man and a woman, with a donkey and sheep and shepherds and such, mixed in with snowmen and Santas and trees and reindeer on front lawns, in malls and in other places where Christmas decorations are displayed. It is actually the birth of this Jesus that Christmas calls us to remember and to celebrate.

All around me I can see that people are preparing for Santa’s arrival. I am wondering if they are also preparing for Jesus’s arrival? Jesus is coming again, but He doesn’t come every year like Santa. Jesus’s first Advent was missed by many. His second Advent, no one will miss.

“And the gory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:5)

People are busy preparing to receive Santa into their homes. (even though they will have no interaction with him) But what about Jesus? The Christmas carol “Joy to the World” says “let every heart prepare Him room, let earth receive her King!” Jesus Himself says,

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Sharing a meal – that’s personal. God’s gift of Jesus is a very personal gift to me and to you and to everyone who will open the door and let Him in so that He can take up residence in the place that they have prepared for Him. Make a way! Make room! For the King is coming!

“Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – He is the King of glory.” (Psalm 24:7-10)

The King is coming! let every heart prepare Him room – let every home throw open the door and receive Him!

sincerely, Grace Day