The rain softly dancing on the roof was my alarm clock this morning. Much different than earlier Christmases when D would get up before everyone else and squeal with delight as he discovered a filled Christmas stocking and gifts under the tree.
This morning as I snuggled under the quilts just a few more minutes, I couldn’t help but think of some of my favorite childhood Christmas memories. I love Christmas! We would slide down the staircase, hit the landing, turn the corner and then continue down the rest of the way. So much fun. The tree would be lit with old fashioned huge colored lights, creating a beautiful glow on every wall. Hung on the fireplace mantel were all of our stockings filled to the brim; socks, underwear, an orange, the biggest candy cane I have ever seen, and a toothbrush. And we were happy!
After opening our gifts, dad would head to the kitchen to make his world famous animal shaped pancakes. He was a master at it. We had Mickey Mouse, turtles, and bears all served smothered with our own homemade maple syrup.
After chores (horses, chickens, rabbits), we would bundle up and head out back to the best sledding hill ever. If we were lucky, we would make it all the way down the hill, dodging trees, and end at the little creek that ran through the woods. My older sisters always made it the farthest. But I always looked forward to next year.
This Christmas H was scheduled for yet another surgery, so we only set up the tree decorated with white lights. The glow is warm and comforting.
Christmas – a time christians rejoice and celebrate the birth of Jesus, God’s only son. A time to reflect on the goodness of God in our lives. A time to pause and think on our future eternal life. A time to share the Gospel with those around us. A time to let the light of Jesus shine through us to others.
Christmas 2021 is here, and I am heading to the kitchen to make animal shaped pancakes and more memories.
Leo Tolstoy wrote a short story called “The Three Questions”. I did not become familiar with Tolstoy’s original version until I read an adaptation written and illustrated by Jon Muth. It is a delightful story, and every year I use it with my fourth grade students as part of our character education lessons. The three questions are: 1) When is the best time to do things? 2) Who is the most important one? 3) What is the right thing to do? One year I tried the story as a Socratic Seminar to see if we could get some deeper conversation and thoughts. We discussed for about an hour before drawing the conversation to a close.
During the discussion, the consensus was that we should not have schedules for anything in our life, but rather live each moment as it comes. They did agree with the story’s answer to the question, that the best time to do things is now. As the facilitator, I am not to participate in the conversation, which was extremely difficult for me. If you know me, I am a planner and meticulous scheduler. During the conversation, I was thinking….”What would happen if I didn’t schedule anything? Would my boss appreciate the freeness of our day if I didn’t have lesson plans ready for her? Would my bills get paid on time if I didn’t have a schedule? Would I be happier without a schedule?”
The overwhelming response to the second questions surprised me. The students felt that no one was more important than anyone else, and did not see the importance of putting another’s needs first or helping each other. The third question was very ‘me’ centered as well. The students felt the right thing to do was whatever a person wanted to do. Now granted these were fourth graders, but as I look at our world today, I do see overwhelming evidence in our news that adults could answer the three questions the same way.
1: When is the best time to do things? When searching out scriptures to find an answer to this question, I found that there is a best time to do things and that is when God calls you, guides you, or instructs you to do them. Sometimes that call is immediately, and other times we are to wait. I think of people who have answered God’s call to go to another country and minister to the people there. Not every call is as large as moving to a different country, but God does call us to pray for people by placing their names in our minds and hearts at certain times throughout the day. God calls his people to aid or help others. He calls us to certain careers where we serve with passion and compassion. When we are in tune with God, we will hear and heed his calling.
2:What is the best time to pray? God’s word is very clear about continually and always praying. Several passages repeat that we are to seek God’s council and share our burdens, angst and requests with him. The time to pray is now. God loves to hear us pray by offering praise to Him and by praying scripture back to Him. Remember the movie a few years back, War Room? The entire movie was based on passionate, fervent pray. When we are in tune with those around us, we will pray for them.
1 Chronicles 16:11 “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face CONTINUALLY.”
Luke 18:1 “And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought ALWAYS to pray, and not to faint;”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
3. When is the best time to forgive? Jesus is ready always to forgive us, and that is our example while we are here on earth. The time to forgive is now. This is hard. We are people with very real emotions. We get hurt, disappointed, and let down by others. Our natural instinct is to forgive only if the other person means it or asks for forgiveness in a certain way. God’s example is to forgive: period. We are to forgive even if the offending party never comes to us. And again, I know this is difficult. But here is the good news, God doesn’t ask us to do anything we are able to do. If we are in tune to God and his love for other and us, we will forgive others following His example in forgiving us.
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Matthew 18:21-22 “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” This verse does not mean an exact number of 490, but rather an attitude of forgiveness and extended grace each time someone sins against us.
Acts 7:59-60 “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Wow, what a heart after Jesus’ heart. Stephen didn’t wait for these people to ask for forgiveness, instead, he prayed on their behalf. They were stoning him to death, and his concern was for them.
Luke 23: 33-34 “When they came to a place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
4. What is the best time to share the gospel with others? Do I have an urgency to share the Gospel? Do I have a burden for souls and the lost? The time to share is now. Our world is changing so rapidly, and it seems we only hear about the horrible parts of our world. People need hope. Hope is found in Jesus Christ. Share God’s goodness and His hope with others.
Romans 10:13-15 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” ‘How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the fee of those who bring good news!’”
Tolstoy’s three questions turned into my four questions. They are the basic questions we must ask ourselves daily. Are we yielding to God in every aspect of our lives? Are we loving others, even when it might be difficult? Are we seeking God’s wisdom and direction in all we do?
Now is the time and today is the day. Now is the time and we cannot delay. This is the moment and this is the place. For the mercy, the power, the love, and the grace ~ excerpt from “The Time is Now” by Twila Paris
As a kid, I loved going to Forest Park in Noblesville, Indiana for the Fourth of July celebration. We went year after year, arriving early so we could roll down the hill, get covered with chiggers, and get covered with mosquito bites. When the fireworks started exploding in their exquisite array of color, you could hear the crowd’s collective “oooohhhh” and “ahhhh”: it was all worth it.
The Fourth of July, a celebration of freedom earned in the past through military efforts and continued freedom today as men and women defend our country and the freedoms of other countries. As a citizen of earth, I enjoy many freedoms, and as a born again christian and citizen of heaven, I have other freedoms as well.
I am free from the chains and bondage of sin. Romans 6:16-19 “Know ye not, that to home ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
Because of God’s truth, I am free, no longer a slave to sin. John 8:31-36 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
I am free from the desire to sin. Romans 8:5 “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”
I am free to boldly enter into the presence of God at anytime. James 4: 8 “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” Hebrews 4:14-16 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, 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 empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
As we celebrate today, remember that our freedoms, both here on earth and spiritually, have come at a great sacrifice of others.
Thinly slice the lemons and add them to a pitcher. Pour the sugar over the lemons and muddle. (Take a wooden spoon and push the sugar into the lemon slices.) Keep muddling until the pulp has completely pulled away from the lemon skin. Add cold water and enjoy.
They say that challenging things come in threes, and while I don’t know if this is true, it seems like the last 18 months has seen our share of difficult circumstances. Life has definitely been giving us lemons. We found ourselves repeating over and over: “It is what it is” and “If we truly believe what we profess to believe, we will take these circumstances in stride and come out the other side wiser, stronger in faith, and rejoicing in God’s goodness.” We needed to make sweet lemonade out of those sour lemons.
We can’t rely on determination and our own strength, but rather lean on God. Look at all the Bible verses to encourage us.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
Life is going to give us lemons, and we can let the lemons rot and sour our hearts, or we can make lemonade and share with others the sweetness of God’s strength and provision.
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Something More To Life 