holidays

dandelions understand Advent

Posted on by Grace Day

People, including myself, are always trying to kill dandelions. Dandelions aren’t paranoid. People are actually out to get them. I know this because I used to be one of those people. I have paid big bucks in the past to have dandelions eradicated from my yard. In other words, I am guilty of hiring a hit man to take out my dandelions. (without success as you now know from previous posts) BUT – in an unforeseen plot twist – what if dandelions are actually the good guys, not the bad guys, aka dangerous weeds. There are those who want us to believe that dandelions are damaging and therefore dangerous.

BUT – this is far from the truth. As it turns out, dandelions have been undeservedly given a bad name. In fact, in my previous research, I discovered that dandelions are actually good for the soil in which they grow. They break up compacted soil and their presence invites other vegetation in which is good.

Specifically, here’s how dandelions boost soil health. Their deep tap roots aerate the soil, making channels for air and water, which make it easier for other plants to grow along with them. Dandelions are food for beneficial bugs and pollinators like bees and butterflies. Dandelions are also edible and have medicinal uses for humans. Dandelions are rich in potassium which helps many other plants and their deep roots pull other nutrients to the soil’s surface, which benefits and attracts other plants. Because of their deep roots, dandelions also help to prevent erosion.

I could go on and on, but this is an Advent post, not a gardening post or a save the dandelion’s post. So what’s the connection to Advent? Well, one could say dandelions are a gift from God. They are beautiful, good for the earth and good for humans. But we reject this gift from God. We even try to kill His gift of dandelions. Are you seeing any similarities to other gifts we receive, or refuse to receive, as the case may be, from God?

This is particularly apparent in the case of God’s most personal, most precious gift to us of His only Son, Jesus. To say that Jesus was not well received is kind of an understatement. The world made no room at all to receive God’s gift, which is why Jesus was born in a stable surrounded by animals. Why wasn’t God’s gift received with the joy, thankfulness and celebration that normally accompany the advent or arrival of a long-desired gift?

Could it be the “packaging” and the “delivery” (pun intended) of the gift weren’t what the Israelites had hoped for, weren’t what they expected and definitely weren’t what they wanted. They had been promised a Messiah, a Deliverer, a Savior – one who would set them free. The Israelites were currently enslaved and oppressed under Roman rule. So they were expecting a person with worldly status and power, a rich ruler/military type person of high rank, a king, a prince, to be the one God would send to rescue them from their current plight.

So you can see why no one paid any attention to a child born to a poor young couple in an obscure village. They were expecting God’s gift to be delivered in a palace with much pomp and fanfare among the political and religious rulers of the day announcing the arrival of God’s gift. Actually, there was much fanfare on the night of Jesus’s birth. But the important, powerful people of the day were not involved. The elite were not the ones who received the good news nor the ones who made the birth announcement to the world.

That honor went to the angels, who did the announcing and to the shepherds who did the receiving of this long-awaited gift from God. The birth announcement occurred on the hillsides surrounding Bethlehem, where the shepherds were watching over their sheep, far from the places and the palaces of power and influence. All of heaven was rejoicing that the gift had been given, but earth was having a little trouble receiving God’s gift.

“He (Jesus) came to that which was HIs own, but His own did not receive Him.” (John 1:11)

Jesus, like the dandelions of today, was not received with enthusiasm and thankfulness, and often was outright rejected.

“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:22)

But simply rejecting Jesus, refusing God’s gift, wasn’t enough for some people. There were those who wanted Jesus killed.

” . . . an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child (Jesus) and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’ . . . When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.” (Matthew 2:13 & 16)

Now you see why I think dandelions definitely understand Advent and all the intrigue that accompanied Jesus’s arrival or Advent here on earth. Herod may have been the first to try to kill Jesus, but he wasn’t the last. The religious leaders of the day, the Pharisees, were constantly out to get Jesus. Just like the dandelions of today, people wanted Jesus dead.

And there came a time when they thought they had succeeded. They crucified Jesus and laid Him in a tomb. It appeared they had destroyed God’s gift. BUT – three days later the tomb was empty and Jesus was once more with His disciples. Jesus had come back to life! That is just like my dandelions, who keep returning even after I not only reject them but openly persecute them and try to kill them. The miracle of new life, eternal life – that is the gift of God, given to you and to me in the person of His Son, Jesus.

“And this is the testimony; God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:11-12)

Why would I not accept God’s gift of Jesus, along with all of God’s other good gifts such as forgiveness, peace, hope, joy, redemption, salvation, His Holy Spirit presence and on and on – the list is long.

“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:2-5)

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

Jesus, the first and foremost of all God’s good and perfect gifts, has been given. Advent – the time to celebrate God’s gift with thanksgiving!

“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)

Dandelions understand what it is to be an underappreciated, rejected, persecuted gift. That’s probably why they understand Advent so well. This Advent season, I want to be sure I am truly grateful for the miracle gift from God of His Son, Jesus. Miracles are always worth celebrating. May this Advent be a season of celebration!

sincerely, Grace Day

dandelions declare victory!

Posted on by Grace Day

Dandelions are my heroes! Long live dandelions! Never thought I’d say that, but I’m saying it now. We have had below freezing temperatures here and even some snow BUT – I was again picking both yellow and silver fuzz dandelions out of my front yard yesterday – in December! Do dandelions ever die? I thought the cold weather would kill them but apparently it’s had no effect whatsoever. It must be the dandelion’s deep roots that sustain them during these decidedly adverse conditions of winter.

That’s why dandelions are my new heroes. Dandelions persevere. They don’t give up. Dandelions not only defy death, but they continue to multiply even when other plants have gone dormant. Just when I think I’ve won the war, just when I think it’s over, the dandelions make a comeback. That’s what’s happened in my yard. I thought I had defeated the dandelions, but they are proving me wrong day after day with their new yellow blooms and silver fluff balls continuing to mysteriously appear in my yard as if by magic.

At this point in the war, I am not only willing to call a truce, I am willing to concede my loss and declare the dandelions are the victors. And not only the victors but as I said, perhaps my new role models. If the dandelions can survive and thrive in their adverse conditions, then certainly I can too. I just need to take a lesson from their playbook – I need to have really deep roots, so when tough times come bringing drought, depression, despair, darkness, doubt – I won’t be shaken. My faith will remain not only intact, but strong and growing. Jeremiah describes exactly this kind of person –

“But blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

I think Jeremiah could have said – “He will be like a dandelion” and it would still ring true! Another description of those with deep roots is given to us by the psalmist when he said –

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.’ ” (Psalm 92:12-15)

It’s all about how deep the roots go, I guess. Roots are beneath the surface. You don’t see them but when the time is right, they produce something visible, something beautiful when you least expect it, when you believed everything to be beyond hope because you believed it to be dead.

The Israelites endured four hundred years of God’s silence. After the last of God’s prophets passed on, there was no one left to speak a new word to God’s people. There was only silence. No new word from God. Only the echo of the old words, the old promises made, promises still unfulfilled, promises of a Messiah, of a Savior who would arise out of seeming nothingness to rescue His people from their desperate plight. Isaiah alluded to this hope saying –

“A shoot will come from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord – and He will delight in the fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:1-3)

Did you catch that? – from roots will come a fruit bearing Branch. Fruit bearing means life giving. Paul quotes Isaiah in Romans saying this about “God’s root” –

“And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in Him.’ ” (Romans 15:12)

These prophesies are talking about the birth of Jesus, who is a descendant of Jesse, who is the father of David. Roots remain and give life. After four hundred years of silence and darkness, this root gave rise to the promised new life of the Messiah – Jesus. (and you thought this wasn’t an Advent post) When roots remain, new life will come again. That’s what we are celebrating at Christmas – that in the middle of the darkness, when everything appeared dead- when the Israelites were doubting God, thinking He had forgotten His promise to send them a Savior – new life entered in.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)

“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)

That’s the message of Advent – the root has come to life and has given life to you and to me and to all who will receive God’s gift – the Root of Jesse – Jesus Christ.

“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)

sincerely, Grace Day

Abraham’s Advent

Posted on by Grace Day

Abraham had an Advent experience that foreshadowed what would actually take place centuries later, the advent or arrival of God’s Son here on earth. Abraham’s experience occurred when God gave Abraham these very specific instructions –

“Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.’ ” (Genesis 22:2)

Abraham obeyed God. He and Isaac set out on their journey toward the appointed place. As they got closer to their destination, this conversation took place between father and son,

” ‘The fire and the wood are here,’ Isaac said, ‘but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’ Abraham answered, ‘God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together.” (Genesis 22:7-8)

Abraham trusted God to provide what was needed – a lamb for the necessary sacrifice. And God did just that. Abraham was preparing to sacrifice his son, Isaac, as God had told him to do but –

“But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied. ‘Do not lay a hand on the boy,’ he said. ‘Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from Me your son, your only son.’ Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’ ” (Genesis 22:11-14)

God provided the ram for the sacrifice required of Abraham at that time. Centuries later God would again provide what was needed, what we needed, just as He had done for Abraham. This time God provided a lamb for the sacrifice for our sin, mine and yours. BUT – the Lamb that God provided was the perfect sacrifice, good for all people for all time. No further sacrifice for sin will ever be needed again. This perfect, spotless Lamb necessary for the required sacrifice for our sin was none other than God’s own Son, Jesus. We read in John –

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’ ” (John 1:29)

Abraham told his son, “God Himself will provide the lamb”, and God has provided the lamb, His own Lamb, His one and only Lamb, to be the sacrifice for my sin, the only acceptable sacrifice for my sin. His name is Jesus. This is why Jesus’s birth is worthy of celebration – we rejoice that God has at last provided the Lamb who is able to pay our sin price in full, allowing us to be reconciled to our Creator God.

“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

Abraham experienced God’s perfect provision for his need at just the right time, which saved Isaac’s life in God’s perfect timing. Likewise, God’s provision of Jesus to all of humankind, to you and to me, is also in God’s perfect timing and saves our lives from an otherwise certain and eternal death.

“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)

“God sent His Son, born of a woman . . .” – that’s what we are celebrating at Christmas – God’s provision of His Lamb for the atonement of our sin! The best gift ever! That’s the Good News of Advent – God Himself has provided the Lamb!

“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)

God provided the sacrifice for Abraham. God has also provided the sacrifice for my sin and for your sin, dear readers. That’s the Good News – the Atonement of Advent. The angel proclaimed this news to the shepherds saying –

” ‘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)

I needed a Savior and God provided One for me – His One and only Son, Jesus! The angel confirmed this to Joseph saying –

“She (Mary) will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

The Atonement of Advent – the sacrificial Lamb of God – who in a breath-taking plot twist is also the King of Kings and Lord of Lords –

“that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)

Abraham’s Advent experience is my Advent experience today – the Lord has provided the necessary sacrifice for my sin. Thank You Heavenly Father for Your provision, the birth of Your Son, Jesus.

“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)

sincerely, Grace Day

no room in my inn

Posted on by Grace Day

Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger because there was no room for Mary and Joseph at the inn.

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:4-7)

God was giving the world a gift, a precious gift, His Son. But the world couldn’t be bothered to make room to receive God’s gift. Unbelievable!

“He (Jesus) came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.” (John 1:11)

But is the situation any different with us today? God is still offering the gift of His Son to each and to every one of us. But is there anyone willing to receive what God is offering? Is anyone preparing a place for Jesus, so Jesus won’t be relegated to sharing space with animals in their shelter. Is anyone preparing to receive Jesus and give Him a place of honor and prominence in their lives? Am I preparing a place for Him? John says this about those of us who do receive God’s gift –

“Yet to all who received Him, (Jesus) to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12-13)

God has given mankind a wonderful, merciful, life changing, life giving gift – His Son, Jesus. And included in this gift is the opportunity to become part of an eternal family, to become His children. John explains it this way –

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3)

What a gift God has given us in His Son, Jesus! If you and I choose to receive this gift from God, we receive unspeakable riches. We are adopted into His family, we become beloved children for eternity.

“For those God foreknew, He also predestined, to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (Romans 8:29)

And as God’s dearly loved children, you and I are given hope – hope that we will see Him and we will be like Him when He appears. That’s the hope of the second Advent, or second coming. We are gifted this hope even as we now celebrate Christ’s first Advent, Christ’s first appearance on earth as a baby born in a lowly stable.

That first Christmas there was no room in the inn. God’s people were unprepared to receive the Messiah they had been promised, the Messiah they had been waiting for, the Messiah they had been desiring for so many centuries.

This advent season, I have to again examine myself, to see if indeed I am prepared to receive God’s gift. Is there room in the inn of my life, to receive God’s gift of the Christ child all over again – because this gift truly is a continuing gift – “His mercies are new every morning.” Or have my heart and my life become so overcrowded, so filled with lesser things that there is no room left for God’s gift of Himself?

No wonder a popular Christmas carol says, “Let every heart prepare Him room.” That’s what I need to be doing during this time of Advent – making room to receive God’s gift – preparing a place for the Christ Child to make His home, because He came to stay. He came to abide, to dwell, to enter into my life and into the life of anyone who will receive Him as God’s gift.

When the promised Messiah comes to make His home with me, I don’t want Him to find that there is no room for Him in my inn. I want Him to find that all the clutter has been cleared out. I want Him to find the doors open wide in welcoming anticipation of His arrival, so that He may freely enter in to my inn and make His home with me. I echo the psalmist words –

“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

my wish list

Posted on by Grace Day

It’s that time of year again – time to create wish lists for Santa. I don’t actually do this anymore, but as a young child you can be sure I put a lot of thought and effort into compiling a list of items I desired so that I would be prepared for my yearly meeting with Santa. I didn’t expect to receive every toy on my list, but I felt Santa needed some guidance in order to know the wishes of my heart. I never received all of the items on my wish list, BUT I always received toys, books, games, clothes etc. that I hadn’t thought to ask for, which nevertheless showed up under the Christmas tree anyway on Christmas morning. As it turns out, I enjoyed my surprise gifts as much or more than my requested gifts. Santa proved to be smarter and to know me better than I ever gave him credit for.

I have to admit though, my wish lists over the years haven’t been only for Santa Clause. My prayer life is often filled with “wish lists” for my Heavenly Father. Of course, He is wise enough not to give me everything I ask Him for, and He gives me many surprise gifts that I did not even think to ask Him for. It seems with my Heavenly Father, I ask too little, not too much. After all,

“He is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within me,” (Ephesians 3:20)

And I never have to worry about what kind of gifts God will give me. I already know –

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

God gives only good and perfect gifts. He is the ultimate gift giver. As my Heavenly Father, He knows me perfectly inside and out. He knows what I need and what is best for me. That’s why He is the ultimate gift giver, always giving the perfect gift.

As a giver of gifts myself, especially at Christmas time, I am always searching for that perfect gift for each person on my list. It can be an agonizing task, as I always second guess myself and wonder if the recipient of my gift will like it or not. It is fitting that I find myself pondering gift giving and gifts at this Advent time of year. Jesus was God’s ultimate “good and perfect gift” to humankind on that first Christmas. With the gift of His Son, God set the gift giving bar pretty high. There’s been no gift since as life altering as God’s gift of His Son.

“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)

A gift that rescues me from death and gives me eternal life – that’s a life changing, life giving, good and perfect gift!

But Jesus wasn’t God’s first life altering gift. I am reminded of Abraham’s encounter with God when God told Abraham this –

“After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.’ ” (Genesis 15:1)

God Himself was Abraham’s reward or gift, “an exceeding great reward” to be exact. God’s Presence is the reward, always. It is not the things that I want God to give me. It is God’s Presence abiding with me that is the gift – the ultimate gift – the perfect gift – a gift that never runs out, wears out, gets broken, becomes outdated, is the wrong size, style or color, is useless or unwanted. No God’s presence is a gift that always fits perfectly and fills all the longings of my heart that I didn’t even know existed. God’s presence brings His peace, His comfort, His hope, His mercies, His joy, His provision, His protection, His guidance and wisdom and so much more. It is an infinite list because He is an infinite God. His Presence is a never-ending gift from a never-ending God.

God’s presence was with Adam and Eve in the garden, where God walked with them until their sin caused a separation, forcing them to leave the garden. Even so, God did not give up on relationship with us, we who are created in His image. He came to Abraham and called him out, saying –

“Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1)

God’s Presence went with Abraham on the journey. Likewise, God was present with His people, the Israelites, while they wandered in the desert and Moses refused to continue that journey without God’s presence.

“Then Moses said to Him (the Lord), ‘If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that You are pleased with me and with Your people unless You go with us? What else will distinguish me and Your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?’ ” (Genesis 33:15-16)

What else indeed? It is God’s Presence that distinguishes His people, even today. Jesus knew this. Jesus said this to His disciples shortly before He was to leave earth and return to His place at the right hand of the Father.

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see Me anymore, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.” (John 14:16-20)

That’s the gift of God’s Presence! Jesus is promising His disciples the gift of His Holy Spirit after He leaves. Jesus reaffirmed this again saying –

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

This sounds so familiar. Why? Perhaps it’s because Moses spoke similar words to Joshua about God’s Presence, saying-

“”Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)

God’s all important, all sustaining, all sufficient Presence has been with us from the beginning. He was in creation and in the garden. He was there in the flood, in the desert, in the furnace, in the lion’s den, in the burning bush, in the parting sea, on the mountain top, in the valley, at the cross, at Pentecost. God’s gift to us is Himself – over and over and over again. He is our very great reward! Yours and mine.

As I enter again into another season of Advent, I am reminded all over again that this is the message of Christmas. Christ came, God’s gift to you and to me. Jesus came to give me and you the gift of Himself, born to die in my place and in your place, then gift me and you His Holy Spirit Presence, so that you and I will never be alone. God’s Holy Spirit carries out His promise to us that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

God’s good and perfect gift is the giving of Himself – “I am your very great reward.” God’s Presence with me – that’s what I’m celebrating this Advent season.

“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)

God wants to be with me and with you, dear readers. I find that kind of astonishing really. But His word confirms this, so I know it is true. From the very beginning, our Creator has desired to have relationship with us. He created us in His image for this purpose. To this end, He gave us the gift of His Son, Jesus, whose birth we are preparing now to celebrate once again.

As I prepare to celebrate Christ’s first Advent, God is preparing me even now for His second Advent yet to come. And like the first Christmas, the second Advent, too, is all about the gift of God’s Presence – the gift of Himself.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, . . . Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1 & 3-4)

God’s Presence is His gift to me, my very great reward. Am I prepared to receive His gift this Advent season? Have I prepared a place for Him to enter in?

“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

most ironic post ever

Posted on by Grace Day

The other possible title for this post is “how I saved Thanksgiving” – but that seems a bit presumptuous if not outright unbelievable, so I went with the first title. Me, saving Thanksgiving? – that is definitely presumptuous, unbelievable and ironic all at the same time, because I am not, nor do I claim to be, any kind of a cook. And of course, Thanksgiving is all about the food. (although in Thanksgivings past, I have contributed the not too bad broccoli-rice casserole) Still, I would not come to mind even as a last resort to be the one to call upon to save someone’s Thanksgiving celebration.

Yet, just yesterday, I was someone’s last resort and I did save Thanksgiving, or so they said. Of course, there is a backstory which explains this weird yet true tale. It all started with a phone call very late on Thanksgiving Eve. It was my neighbors across the street. Their oven was not working and they were preparing their Thanksgiving feast for the following day. Their stove and all other appliances were working normally. It was just their oven that had quit working without warning, without giving advance notice that it would be taking the holiday off. (and of course their oven made this decision well after service businesses were closed for the night and for the holiday the following day)

So my neighbors called me, not in search of a cook, but of an oven available on the day when most ovens are working overtime. Not my oven, however. My oven was not booked. I was not cooking. I was traveling south to be with family on Thanksgiving Day. Therefore, I was more than happy to volunteer my oven’s services to my neighbors for the day. And so I did. I must say, when I returned that evening, my house smelled really good, still filled with all the good food smells of what had been baked in my oven during the day. I also received the bonus of a plate of food the next day. Who doesn’t love Thanksgiving leftovers?

My neighbors were grateful, saying I had saved their Thanksgiving. Who doesn’t like to be the hero from time to time? Having had a previous incident with their oven within the past year, my neighbors felt their oven was trying to steal their Thanksgiving, much like the Grinch, who attempted to steal Christmas from the Whos. However, it was really my oven that saved their Thanksgiving, not me.

Because I am not much of a cook, me saving anyone’s Thanksgiving is the height of irony. But here’s the greater irony of me writing this particular post. This post follows a post I wrote just mere days ago – “the joy of left hand/right hand living.” Now the message of that post is basically – do your good deeds on the down low, nobody else needs to know. And yet here I am sharing a good deed story with you all in my very next post? Now that’s irony that can’t go unnoticed nor unmentioned! Oh, how fickle the human heart!

So often others, including these neighbors, have come to my rescue. Often, others are the answer to my prayers of need. Therefore, it is a privilege when I get to be the answer to someone else’s prayer of need. It’s a joy and sometimes the joy just overflows and needs to be shared. I am grateful to have the opportunity to live out God’s instructions –

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)

“If anyone has material possessions ad sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:17-18)

This oven lending wasn’t exactly a top-secret mission anyway. It was just an unexpected opportunity that presented itself. The Grinch wasn’t able to steal Christmas and my neighbor’s untrustworthy oven wasn’t able to succeed in stealing their Thanksgiving. Crisis averted. Holiday saved! It was fun and a joy to be a part of this rescue mission that saved Thanksgiving.

But now I must return to the left hand/right hand life of the everyday. I will take up invisibility and anonymity once again, as I go out in search of my next undercover assignment. But don’t expect to hear about it from me. I vow to maintain secrecy at all times in the future.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! May you find plenty of reasons to be thankful, as gratitude is the perfect heart preparation for the upcoming season of Advent.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)

sincerely, Grace Day

mom’s day memories

Posted on by Grace Day

Another Mother’s Day without Mom has come and gone. These days are always bittersweet for me. I used to spend them with my Mom, but now that’s not an option. Mother’s Day may be bitter because Mom is no longer here with us, but it is also sweet because the memories of her that keep me company, are good ones. Still, they are a poor substitute for the real thing – my mom. I have to say I feel cheated out of more time with her. There were things we wanted to do – a trip to her alma mater, a trip to our old vacation spot, a genealogy to research – so many questions I want to ask her now, but time has run out. I always thought there would be more time – more time to spend with her when things slowed down. But I was wrong. Life never slowed down, and time ran out.

At least the memories I have are good ones. It’s just that there are not nearly enough of them. I would have liked to have had more years of memories made, before I no longer had the opportunity to spend time with mom. But we don’t get to choose the number of our days. So I will be grateful for all the years I did have with mom, even as I continue to feel her absence keenly as the years come and go without her. I guess we never outgrow our need for our moms.

And time has a way of preserving the good memories and letting fade away any not so good memories – the typical mother/daughter struggles of the teenage years, for example. I am left with memories of her love and faithfulness and self-sacrificing service for her family and her friends, for her church and her community. A good role model but awfully big shoes to fill.

Yesterday, I chose to be grateful for the years I did have mom, even as I couldn’t help but grieve the years I’ve been without her. She left me a legacy of love that time will not erase. This is something that brings me joy every day, not just on Mother’s Day. I will honor mom’s legacy by trying to live a life of faithful service as she did. This is a challenge that will keep me fully engaged, one that is not for the faint of heart. Mom persevered through many tough trials and situations in life. She didn’t quit, she did not give up. And in the end, she was victorious over those situations that could have defeated her. And we were all the better for it.

As a recipient of Mom’s legacy, I want to honor her by carrying it forward. She was never a victim, always an overcomer. She overcame by staying the course, never giving up. In today’s culture we are all too ready to jump ship when things get tough. Consequently, we don’t experience the reward that awaits us at the end of our long, tough road. Reminds me of these words –

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

Mom never gave up. She never gave up on anyone, her family or her friends. That’s a part of her legacy. Never give up hope. There is always hope for restoration, for reconciliation. Her faith believed these words of Jesus –

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

In one of the Ten Commandments we are told to “Honor your father and your mother,” – I want to continue to do that even though Mom is no longer here. I can honor her by living out the legacy she left to me – her legacy – a legacy of love, of hope and of faith. She gave my sisters and me so much in life. Upon reflection, it appears she gave us just as much or more in death.

Thanks, Mom. I think I’m still learning the lessons you tried so hard to teach me while you were still here. Your efforts were not in vain. They are making a difference daily in my life. Wish you were here with me, but your legacy and memory remain to guide and to keep me company on my way. Wish I would have told you these things before it was too late. Hope you know how much you are loved, Mom.

sincerely, Grace Day

the cry of the cross

Posted on by Grace Day

Today the cross is everywhere you look – not just on churches but in art, in jewelry – people have crosses hanging in their homes and crosses hanging around their necks. How did the cross, once a symbol of humiliated defeat, become a symbol of hope-filled victory? The cross’s transformation is itself a miracle. Once a symbol of death, the cross today is a symbol of life. And not just life, but eternal life! This transformation is the result of a miracle that took place upon a particular cross just over two thousand years ago.

The cross had always been an instrument of torture and death. It was the means used to carry out crucifixion, a cruel form of capital punishment, involving the nailing or tying of a person’s hands and feet to a wooden cross, where they would hang humiliated and tortured until they died. Crucifixion was used by the Persians, Carthaginians, Romans and others from about the 6th century BC to the 4th century AD. It was reserved for the worst offenders, those whose crimes were deserving of death. Crucifixion was also very public. Meant to shame and humiliate those who were being punished, crucifixions often drew large crowds. People showed up wanting to witness the humiliation of those being publicly punished by death for their unforgivable offenses.

The crucifixion of Jesus was no exception. The crowd was large and loud in its derision and mockery of Jesus as He hung on a cross, placed between two convicted criminals who hung on the crosses next to Him. The taunting must have seemed endless. We read this account in the gospel of Luke –

“The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at Him. They said, ‘He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers also came up and mocked Him. They offered Him wine vinegar and said, ‘If You are the king of the Jews, save Yourself.’ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: ‘Aren’t You the Christ? Save Yourself and us!’ ” (Luke 23:35-39)

Little did they know that they were right. Jesus is the Christ of God, the promised Messiah, the Word become flesh to dwell among us for a time. He could have saved Himself from the agony, the suffering and the humiliation of the cross. He had a choice. Jesus told His disciples as much when He said to them –

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. . . . The reason My Father loves Me is that I lay down My life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from My Father.” (John 10:11, 17-18)

The jeering, mocking crowd was actually correct – Jesus could have come down from that cross. But then He would not have saved you and me from our death sentence. Jesus stayed on that cross while His blood and His physical life ebbed away, because He was paying my sin price and your sin price with His own blood and with His own perfect life, so that you and I could be reconciled to a holy God that cannot look upon sin, any sin, including my sin and your sin.

But if someone could cover our sin with his blood – that would make the impossible, possible. Which is exactly what Jesus’s death on the cross did – made the formerly impossible, now possible. Jesus made a way for us to be connected to our Creator, where previously there had been no way. That’s why I read in Revelation this about Jesus –

“You 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)

That’s why Jesus stayed on that cross – to pay the price of our sin and in so doing “purchase us for God.” It was necessary. There was no other way. In Hebrews I read this –

“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)

I’m so grateful Jesus chose to stay on that cross in order to pay my sin price – a price that I could never pay no matter how long I was given or how hard I tried. What the despising crowd could not know as they watched the crucifixion of Jesus, was that three days later there would be an empty tomb and a risen Savior! These words would come true –

“Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)

Because Jesus’s sacrificial death on the cross brings each and every one of us the offer of forgiveness of our sins and eternal life, the cross is no longer a symbol of death. It is the place where we were given the possibility and the promise of eternal life. The cross is a symbol of hope, of redemption, restoration, reconciliation – all things made possible for us by Jesus’s sacrificial death on that cross in our place. God has taken something that was ugly and made it beautiful.

The cross is where God showed us plainly just how much He loves us, to what lengths He would go to redeem us, to rescue us from certain death and give us eternal life with Him. The cross leaves no doubt. Jesus could have come down from that cross at any time, but He didn’t. He chose to stay. And that has made all the difference. Because Jesus stayed on that cross, the cross is no longer a symbol of defeat but one of victory, not a symbol of despair but of hope, not of punishment but of forgiveness, not of bondage but of freedom, not of hate but of love, not of death but of life. Jesus transformed the cross even as He transforms you and I, by doing what we read in Hebrews –

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

I wonder if those who wear cross necklaces and other cross jewelry today fully realize the beauty of the cross. Although, they must have some idea, because otherwise they would be wearing a symbol associated only with death and destruction. But God has taken what was evil, crucifixion, and used it to accomplish what is good – His eternal purposes in this world. He used the cross of crucifixion to bring us eternal life through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus.

God transformed the cross from an instrument of death to an instrument of life – the very thing that makes possible the forgiveness of our sins and brings us eternal life. Today the cross is a symbol of hope, of love and of life. It is the promise that the impossible is possible with God. The cross is the symbol of God’s great, sacrificial love for me and for you, dear readers. The cross cries out and leaves no doubt!

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. . . . He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:5, 12)

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

sincerely, Grace Day

an empty tomb

Posted on by Grace Day

Feels like hope is in short supply these days. Or is it just me? I recently lost a friend to cancer, and other people I know are currently engaged in battle with this same life stealing enemy. It is easy for me to feel overwhelmed, helpless and sad. All this is happening just as we are getting ready to celebrate something very hopeful, entirely hopeful, actually – the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. That’s why the empty tomb is such a symbol of hope. When Jesus body was laid to rest there, the story appeared to be at an end.

“Joseph took the body (of Jesus), wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.” (Matthew 27:59-60)

BUT the story was far from over. The story continues –

“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ ‘ ” (Matthew 28:1-7)

What an unexpected plot twist! What was supposed to be the end of the story (Jesus’s death) turned out to be only the beginning of a brand new story, a story full of hope and of promise, a story leading from an empty tomb to life everlasting! And the tomb was indeed empty! In Mark we read this account –

“As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.’ ‘ ” (Mark 16:5-7)

My favorite “empty tomb encounter” is recorded in Luke with these words – it is my favorite because of the angel’s question to the women. It goes down like this –

“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. . . . the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ‘ ” (Luke 24:1-7)

The tomb was empty. The tomb is empty. This is good news. It was good news then. It is good news now. It is desperately needed good news for today. Death is not the end of the story. It was not the end of the story for Jesus, and it is not the end of the story for me or for you, dear readers, when Jesus is our Redeemer, our Rescuer, our atoning sacrifice and our Savior. Today, the empty tomb is a symbol of hope precisely because it is empty. The tomb could not hold the Creator of life, the Giver and the Sustainer of all life, Jesus. He will not allow it to hold His precious children either!

The tomb is empty, therefore we have hope. Our Redeemer lives! The angel’s question – “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” reminds me today that I have a risen Savior – not a deceased hero, but a living Lord. Jesus’s tomb is empty. He is not there. Because of this, these words ring true –

“Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)

hope for a dying world – found in an empty tomb!

“He is not here; He has risen!”

what wonderful words of hope!

sincerely, Grace Day

packing away the party

Posted on by Grace Day

That’s what I’ve been doing during these dreary gray days following the birthday bash the world just threw for the baby in the manger – aka the King of kings, Creator of the universe, God’s Son, Jesus. As always, it was quite a celebration complete with lots of lights (inside and out), merry music nonstop, plenty of presents (thanks to out of control consumerism) fabulous food, including Christmas cookies of every kind and fruitcake? and dazzling decorations everywhere you looked. 

But when the cookies are all gone, the music goes silent, the lights go out, all the presents are unwrapped (no more surprises, no more anticipation) there is nothing left to do but to pack away all the decorations that adorned my home during this season of celebration that has now come to an end. I kind of get used to the Santas and the Nativities and the wreaths and the candles and the tree and the stockings etc. during the month of Advent. I become attached to them and so have been reluctant to pack them away again, even though the party is clearly over. They will leave empty spaces and I will miss them.

So I have procrastinated parting with them, packing them away a few at a time rather than all at once. (I guess this is the opposite of ripping the bandage off completely in one swift motion, rather than prolonging the pain by peeling it off slowly) I chose the latter, so my melancholy has been prolonged in this after the party month we call January. Now January is supposed to be the month of new beginnings and resolutions. That means looking forward, not backward. Perhaps this packing away of the party is painful precisely because it keeps me looking backwards? 

Still out are my Zambian Nativity, complete with added Santas and a striped Pixie, and my kitchen windowsill Nativity with Santa bowing at the manger and decor displaying the words “peace”, “joy” and “hope.” Those words aren’t just Christmas words. I want them to be part of my life everyday, not just on holidays or special occasions. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and the angel did tell the shepherds – “I bring you glad tidings of great joy.” And of course, hope has been my word for the year two years running now and I see no reason to give it up for another word at this point. Hope is what keeps me going during the darkest, most difficult times. Hope is the light at the end of the tunnel, the anchor during the storm, the promise of what is to come.

As one of my favorite Christmas songs, “Because of Bethlehem” says about Jesus’s birth, “love is born, hope is here, . . . God with us all because of Bethlehem.” Jesus’s arrival here on earth brought hope for all mankind, hope for each and every one of us in every generation – hope for forgiveness and reconciliation with our Holy Creator God – hope for healing, redemption, restoration – hope for an eternal life with our Savior, Jesus. In fact, Jesus said to His disciples this - 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3) 

Now that’s a reason to have hope! Jesus came – the reason for the party in the first place – and Jesus is coming back again to take me to be with Him. So today as I continue packing away the party, I think I’ll leave my “peace,” “joy” and “hope” words in my windowsill just a little while longer. I want to take these words with me into this new year. The birthday party may be over but the “after party” has just begun, and while it’s not as advertised and commercialized as the main event, the after party is an adventure, a daily adventure, worth pursuing.

We typically pack away the decorations when the party is over, but we don’t pack away the gifts we received and opened during the celebration. The gifts are ours to use and to enjoy long after the party has ended and been properly packed away. God gave you and me the gift of His only Son, Jesus. Jesus gives us His gifts of peace, joy and hope. I do not want to take these gifts for granted in this new year. Nor do I want to pack them away and forget about them. When I am anxious and sad and despairing, I want to remember that I have been given the gifts of peace, joy and hope. Gifts that I can take with me and experience new every day as I leave the celebration of Advent behind, but take Advent’s gifts with me into this new year. I will not make the mistake of packing away Jesus’s gifts of peace, joy and hope. Jesus told His disciples –

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

King David said this –

“You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” (Psalm 116:11)

And I love these words of Isaiah, which remind me just what hope in God does –

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

With God’s good gifts I can peacefully, joyfully soar on wings of hope in this new year! Impossible?

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ “ (Matthew 19:26) 

sincerely,  Grace Day