Recently I posted on one of my social media accounts that I was thrilled we had finally received a significant amount of snow. Unsurprised, I read numerous comments that agreed with me as well as those who accused me of being crazy (in good natured teasing). Last week I wrote about snow, using scripture as word pictures how God describes our sins when they are removed. This week, I took a look at the practical side of why it’s important for us to have snow covered ground during the winter months. From the site almanac.com this is what they have published:

• Both rain and snow contain nitrogen that plants need, but snow by its nature provides a better delivery method. Nitrogen attaches to snowflakes as the snow falls through the atmosphere. In addition, nutrients are slowly released into the soil as the snow melts. This is especially effective early in the spring when the ground is thawed, allowing nature to provide a gentle fertilizer boost to plants! 
• Snow is mostly air surrounded by a little frozen water, and despite how cold it feels to the skin, it is an excellent insulator of the soil and plant roots. 
• Snow protects against wide temperature fluctuations in the soil. Under that cozy comforter of white, the roots of perennials, bulbs, ground covers, and strawberry plants are protected from the freeze-thaw cycle that can heave tender roots right out of the ground. Without snow, milder temperatures and the sun could warm the soil surface, leading to damage from soil heaving, which can break roots and dry out plant parts.
• Snow is winter mulch
• If you didn’t get around to mulching your garden this past fall, a nice blanket of snow can serve the same purpose! Never remove snow from your yard—it’s Mother Nature at work. Snow cover is valuable winter protection for your expensive trees and shrubs.

Once again, science and the divine meet in agreement with these words from the prophet Isaiah. “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.” (Isaiah 55: 10)

In addition, how many of us can deny we weren’t excited for a “snow day” when we were attending school? And, why as adults do we still enjoy these unexpected days of rest? Personally, I’ve asked myself that very question–”Sue, why do you “love” being snowed in?” So, I typed that question in my search engine. Lo and behold I found a wonderful quote by Helena Fitzgerald! “For adults, snow days feel like divine permission to rest” and “unexpected time off after a snowfall feels like a gift because it removes the pressure to be productive”.

As someone who considers herself to be a life-long learner, I’m very pleased to have science teach me about the practical benefits of snow along with the affirmation that a beautiful blanket of knee deep snow causes my heart to jump with joy! Yes, I also acknowledge  there will always be folks in my circle of friendship who may scoff at my unabashed love for snow. My response to them and anyone mumbling against its beauty is simply the words from Psalm 118: 24 “This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

The next time you’re home under a big snow storm, rest. Take a much needed break from daily demands. Read a book. Watch a good movie. This spring and summer, when it’s planting time, thank God for the free fertilizer He poured out on your garden soil and flower beds. And, if an attitude adjustment is necessary–rejoice!  “A happy heart is good medicine, but a broken heart dries up the bones.”  (Proverbs 17: 22)

SNOW, OCEANS, EAST & WEST–SIN?

In my column I wrote last week, January 1, I described my love for snow which included a lament that we have not enjoyed a significant pile of it in our area–yet!! Hope beyond hope resides in my mind that we will get one “big” snowfall before we begin thinking about all things spring. 

I even gave a little bit of science behind how snowflakes are formed and how they are unique in nature. This week, I am expanding on another aspect of snow and science, how both show up in scripture as teaching points for us.

A good place to begin is recognizing that according to God, every person on earth past, present, or future is classified as a sinner.  Paul said it this way: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Paul did not say “some people” or “certain people” or “only this type of person”. He said ALL. That’s you. It’s me. Therefore, no one escapes this truth. 

 How do we define sin? Paul gives us a short list in 1 Corinthians 6: 10-11: “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

Because God is loving, desiring that not one person be eternally separated from Him, He provided a way for redemption from our sins. Furthermore, once we are in a relationship with Him and confess with repentance He makes more promises how sins are dealt with: “ As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

“God casts (hurls) our sins into the sea, where they sink like a stone. Such an act of grace caused Micah to ask, “Who is a God like you …?” (Mic. 7:18).

The amazing thing about scripture is how science backs up what the ancient authors wrote. Did you know that east and west never meet? And, While we’ve made incredible strides in exploring and understanding the ocean, the bottom of the ocean remains one of Earth’s last frontiers. The extreme conditions of crushing pressure, darkness, and frigid temperatures present formidable challenges that we’re only beginning to overcome. (source oceanexplorer.noaa & quora.com) 

Do you think that it’s a coincidence that once sins are forgiven God has no further use for them? I’m inclined to believe there’s a good reason for making them irretrievable.

Also of great comfort is how God takes a person’s sinful nature and transforms it to becoming a new creation. Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord taught of the power of the Savior’s Atonement. “Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18.

Maybe you don’t like snow. Many people don’t because of the cold weather. Or the thought of driving to work and errands makes you apprehensive when it’s knee deep after a good storm. Regardless of how you feel about snow, it’s my hope that as you consider how the early biblical authors used visions of white snow and the perilous depths of oceans to illustrate how God deals with our sins, will cause you to pause. Take a deep breath. Lay aside any preconceived ideas you’ve had or still wrestle with in your mind. Surrender any pride and come to a place of humility recognizing that in the small word “all”….a three letter word that encompasses EVERY human being from the time of creation into our present and future..is included in that total. Maybe you need to read Paul’s list of sins again. They aren’t comfortable words by any means.  Some are sins we don’t talk alot about with our friends and family. Nonetheless, they are recorded for us to read, acknowledge, and make a decision to remain part of their sinful nature or embrace the promise in Paul’s encouraging words of verse 11: “But you WERE washed, you WERE sanctified, you WERE justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”  Take note, however, you cannot be washed, sanctified, or justified without FIRST coming into a relationship with Christ which is your personal decision by responding to the message of the gospel. 

Until our sins are forgiven, they hang like filthy rags adorning our body. Once confessed, they disappear east and west…become.buried in an ocean’s depth where no man can retrieve.  Even God Himself will not need to go searching for them. He’s that good, that loving. He is for you and not against you. He has provided a way out from the burden of a sinful nature. That way is Jesus.

If you enjoy music, look for the recording by Ann Wilson “My Jesus”. You’ll be blessed. 

Anyone who knows me well can tell you how much I really like snow. I’m not certain why these beautiful frozen crystals intrigue me, but they do. I am amazed how millions of water droplets falling from clouds turn into either a light dusting on the earth below or a winter blizzard that brings a halt to everyday life.

Each flake we see during a snowfall has begun with a tiny droplet of cold water attaching itself to a dust particle or a dot of pollen as it makes its journey. The flake will form six sides to its shape, not four and not seven–six–every single one. And, depending on the temperature and humidity of the day, the final snowflake from origin to landing may alter. That’s pretty cool! (no pun intended)

Snowflakes are not the only original creation to marvel. You and I are unique creations, too. Just as science can reveal mysteries behind a snowflake’s formation and ultimate pattern, God’s Word illuminates the wonder and awe of how each human is created and formed. We find a beautiful description in Psalm 139: 13-16:

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. (New International Version)

There you have it! If you’ve ever wondered, God created you. He knit you together. He made you. You were not unhidden from Him. He wove you. He saw you before you were formed, while in the process of growing in the womb, and life was mapped out for you ahead of your arrival outside the womb.

You are you and no one else is identical to you. Even identical twins, though formed from one egg, have slightly different DNA. THESE facts alone cause me to truly pause and take in how unique and magnificent our Creator is as the one who formed the earth, spoke into existence all that we can see, touch, and smell….and made male and females in His image to enjoy all of creation…and above all to take pleasure in having fellowship with Him.

Knowing that no two snowflakes or no two humans are exactly alike is proof enough for me that each one of us matters to God! I didn’t grow up reading the Bible like I do now, so as a young adult when I FIRST stumbled upon hearing someone read the above verses from Psalm 139 I was blown away! My hope and prayer for anyone reading my words today will be encouraged, intrigued, and assured that your life has purpose, and no matter the number of days “ordained” for you by God, you have importance and value.

Snowflakes hit the ground and eventually melt into the earth. You were born into a world created by an awesome God and one day you will return to the earth, too. In the meantime, what will you pursue? How will you enjoy the beautiful gift of life that you’ve been given?

I plan to dig deeper to know God more intimately, and, if we ever get a good snow storm I will reflect on my own uniqueness and purpose as I live out “all the days ordained for me”.

We have arrived at the end of our advent destination! With the lighting of the fourth candle on advent wreaths, we celebrate the concept of “love”. Some churches will add in a fifth candle as well, but our focus is on the depth of God’s love for mankind, a measure of love that remains inconceivable to the human mind, yet understood by embracing humility and surrender to His sovereignty. 

The flame burning on the fourth purple candle also draws us in to ponder and embrace that through the sacrifice of Christ’s life all who put their trust and faith in Him will enjoy eternity with God forever.

Four unique forms of love are found in Scripture. They are communicated through four Greek words (Eros, Storge, Philia, and Agape) and are characterized by romantic love, family love, brotherly love, and God’s divine love. In our English language, we often use the word “love” describing our feelings for a  variety of reasons…I love my family. I love being outside. I love a good meal. I love a good cup of hot coffee. Not so with God. His definition of loving us far exceeds reducing it to comparisons we make in our own minds.

This depth of love that God has for us is personified in His Son Jesus. Prophecy foretold of the birth for hundreds of years until the time came for a virgin to conceive and bring forth God’s one and only son. He was born in Bethlehem (Bet Lehem in Hebrew) which means “House of Bread”. Is it any coincidence that in ministry 30 some years later Jesus would refer to Himself as “the bread of life”?

Jesus’ birth was also one of great humility and commonplace circumstances. Joseph and Mary had traveled to Bethlehem to be counted in a census, thus returning to their hometown to register as direct descendents of David. Normally, they would have stayed with relatives but because homes were filling up with other families, they found lodging in a stable housing  animals. Time came for the birth of the Christchild and His mother laid Him in a manger which was literally an open box for fodder for stable animals. Mary also wrapped Him in swaddling cloths which was customary for new mothers to do with their newborns. These clothes consisted of strips of cloth tied together  to be wrapped around an individual much like binding a wound in a gauze bandage. Indeed, the Hebrew word, of which “swaddling” is the English translation, denotes clothes used in the binding of broken limbs (Ezekiel 30:21).

Also,  the significance of swaddling clothes was that EVERY Passover lamb was wrapped in swaddling cloths when born. Jesus was the ultimate Passover lamb. (1Cor. 5:7) Passover lambs as well as any lamb sacrificed at the temple had certain criteria to be met… they had to be certified.

This baby that Christians celebrate all over the world at Christmas was no ordinary child. From the beginning of time beyond human comprehension, God had in mind a need for man’s redemption from sin and darkness. This tiny baby Jesus–wrapped in swaddling cloths–would one day be bound with chains when arrested by the chief priests and turned over to Pilate. Chains were ultimately replaced with burial cloths, strips of linen. (Matthew 27: 1-2; 11-26) From swaddling clothes to chains, to burial cloths, lying on cold hard stone,  the body of Jesus was kept safe and secure for His ultimate purpose in leaving heaven and coming to earth–to love us and prepare us for eternal life. 

This Christmas, when you sing “Away in a Manger”, my prayer is that you can see the baby lying in a cold, stone trough…..I pray that as you imagine his tiny body being wrapped in swaddling cloths, that you connect with a mother’s tender love for a baby entrusted to her by her own heavenly father, that you realize a small innocent baby’s body will grow in maturity to that of a thirty year old man who will be bruised and broken for mankind. He will leave an empty manger behind. He will also leave an empty tomb behind because He IS the bread of life, He is the Light of the Word, and He is the literal personification of love!

Merry Christmas!

Joy to the world, the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare him room And heaven and nature sing!
And heaven and nature sing! And heaven and heaven and nature sing!

Did you know that “Joy to the World” was not written as a Christmas carol? In its original form, it had nothing to do with Christmas. It wasn’t even written to be a song. Isaac Watts was one of the great hymn writers in church history, and nothing shows that better than the fact that he wrote one of his most famous hymns by accident. In 1719, Watts published a book of poems in which each poem was based on a psalm. But rather than just translate the original Old Testament texts, he adjusted them to refer more explicitly to the work of Jesus as it had been revealed in the New Testament. One of those poems was an adaptation of Psalm 98 Watts interpreted this psalm as a celebration of Jesus’s role as King of both his church and the whole world. More than a century later, the second half of this poem was slightly adapted and set to music to give us what has become one of the most famous of all Christmas carols: (source crossway.org)

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found!
Far as the curse is found!
Far as . . . far as . . . the curse is found!

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love!
And wonders of his love!
And wonders . . . wonders . . . of his love!

This week the lone pink candle will be lit on the advent wreath.  Christians everywhere will be rejoicing that the Lord is near. The candle we designate as “joy” is also referred to as the “Shepherd’s Candle” because of the joy those men experienced when the angels appeared to them announcing the birth of the Messiah. Those shepherds exhibited the very definition of “biblical joy”, the kind that goes far beyond momentary happiness. It is an extreme happiness that cannot be deterred by present  circumstances. This type of joy comes from God alone. Joy can often be experienced when a Christian thinks about salvation, eternal life, or Jesus.  It is an eager anticipation about wonderful things to come. The shepherds experienced this as they ran to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus.

We Christians are in time of waiting, this one is for the Second Coming of Jesus. While we wait, we can rest in perfect peace no matter our circumstances, a peace that is accompanied by joy…a kind of joy that no one can take from us (John 16: 22) Scripture also says that it’s God who fills us with joy (Roman 15:13). Joy is a fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22). Depending on your translation the word joy is mentioned in the Bible over 100 times. I think God wants us to understand and have joy.

In the years leading up to the birth of Jesus, the Jews were waiting for their messiah. The world was dark, it was harsh. In many ways, one could say that nothing has changed. Turn on or click any media source and the news is heavy. But, be of good cheer! Jesus came into a dark world just over 2,000 years ago, granting hope, peace, redemption, and salvation to all who would receive Him. By declaring “I am the Light of the world” He overcame darkness then and continues to do so every day for His beloved children. 

This week, as you consider what it means to experience true joy, my hope for all of us is that we turn off the noise from the world and tune into God’s goodness through the reading of scripture, singing or listening to sacred Christmas songs, finding joy in the midst of our personal circumstances. 

“Find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing. For to miss the joy is to miss all”. (Robert Louis Stevenson)  

P.S. Don’t “miss” Jesus either….He’s the best part of “all”. 

Imagine with me if you will, the millions of advent wreaths that now rest in protestant sanctuaries worldwide. Last Sunday each one of those, holding three purple candles and one pink, were illuminated by the lighting of the first candle–hope. This week, a second purple candle will be lit and burn brightly, ushering in our desire for “peace” as it flickers alongside the “hope” candle. Together, hope and peace form a partnership as we settle into the second week of advent.

In my high school years and into adulthood, I sang with our school’s honors choir and also in my church’s senior choir.  In those years of vocal experiences, nothing has compared to that of performing Handel’s “Messiah”, specifically “For Unto Us a Child is Born”, his powerful arrangement of the prophet Isaiah’s words from Chapter 9, verses 6-7: 

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (emphasis my own)

Peace. Exactly what is this feeling and how is it achieved? The Bible gives us some clues.In Hebrew, the word for peace is shalom. Throughout the Bible, shalom is used in several ways. When people are feeling physically well, others say that they “are shalom” (Genesis 29:6). People who have shalom with God have his protection and blessing (Numbers 25:12). There are hints in the Old Testament that shalom with God is to be an inner state that comes from trusting in him (Isaiah 26:3). However, the Old Testament also talks about Israel having peace with God through a covenant, and that peace is conditional. In the books that describe the founding of Israel and its history, we see how Israel’s people make a covenant with God where he provides peace and protection as long as they do not “turn to folly” (Psalm 85:8). When the nation strays from following God, he withdraws his shalom from them (Jeremiah 16:5). By the time that Jesus appeared on the scene, Israel had been ruled by other empires for centuries, so shalom with God had been absent for a while.

On a broader level, humanity lost peace with God when sin entered the world. From the moment that Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, all of humanity became sinners (2 John 1:8). This put us in conflict with God. The “flesh,” in the sense of sinful desires, became what we follow (Romans 8:7-8). No human being, since Adam and Eve, has been righteous (Ecclesiastes 7:20), which means we are all in a state of rebellion against him. This lack of peace presented a dilemma that the Messiah came to solve. (credit to biblestudytools.com)

Do you remember the popularity of beauty pageants years ago? Beautiful women competed to be named Miss Universe, founded in 1952, Miss International, founded in 1960, and Miss Earth, founded in 2001. Our own Miss America pageant began 102 years ago. Often, one of the contestants was asked to give a profound answer to “What do you think is the biggest issue facing our society today”.  Invariably, each woman usually responded “world peace” as she smiled into the camera, trying to solve a spiritual problem with a humanistic solution. As sincere as these wonderful women desired to display their loving solutions, their attempts to bring awareness to our human condition as sinful people in need of a savior, fell short. 

When the apostle Paul wrote the Book of Romans, he told us in chapter 3, verse 23 “For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…” (emphasis on “all” is mine)

Peace. By definition of today’s numerous headlines telling us about numerous wars being waged around our world, one may think that the absence of war and its conflict is naturally a presence of peace. While I absolutely admit that totally eradicating every war that is being fought entertains a wonderful thought, I know it will not be something I witness in my lifetime. Man has been fighting wars–big and small–since the beginning of time.

Jesus’ own words in Matthew 24: 6-8 tell us “you will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end (of the age). For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.”

His words that are contained in those two sentences are not meant to cause us fear. On the contrary, if you and I choose to focus on God’s love for His people, and place our “hope” and trust in His Son, Jesus Christ, we ARE able to experience the “peace” that only God can give, the very nature of peace described throughout the Bible.

Today, two small candles will burn in countless churches, as the wick representing “peace” is lit.  Light is the absence of darkness. If we consider how many candles will be burning around our world, imagine the amount of light shining to remind us where our true source of peace comes from…not from a “thing”…but a person…and His Name is Jesus, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Shalom!

As a child and then into my young adult years, the season of Advent became very rich in meaning for me and continues to fill my spirit every time when this tradition is added to Sunday morning corporate worship with my church family.  Advent is a four-week season in the Church calendar dedicated to anticipating the arrival, or “advent,” of Jesus of Nazareth, the long-awaited Messiah and King. Christians from many backgrounds celebrate this time with reflections on hope, peace, love, and joy. And while their practices may look different, all focus on the hope-filled arrival of Jesus.

Advent means “arrival” and signifies the start of an event or the arrival of a person. In Christian communities around the world, Advent refers to a four-week season of remembering and celebrating the arrival of Jesus on Earth. It’s a time to reflect on the unexpected nature of Jesus’ humble birth and join in the anticipation of when He will come again to reunite Heaven and Earth once and for all.

The four Sundays in Advent each have an assigned adjective. Today, December 3, we focus on Hope.  It can be difficult to feel hopeful. But biblical hope means trusting in God’s character and choosing hope despite our circumstances.

I love learning, especially looking into a deeper definition of common words used in the Christian faith. Using a website that really helps me,  (bibleproject.com) I found a good resource to teach me the biblical meaning of hope as defined in Hebrew. The word YAKHAL is used for one way of having hope; it simply means “wait for” but more clearly is defined as waiting for a “person”, not a “thing”. QAVAH is another Hebrew word for hope but refers to a vision of pulling on a heavy cord, creating tension in the threads, so as a person waits for something, there is a feeling of “expectation”.

So, how do we trust God’s character? King David wrote in Psalm 18 that “As for God, His way is blameless. The word of the Lord is tested, it is perfect, it is faultless; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” (Amplified Version)

How do we choose hope regardless of our circumstances? Another psalm–most likely the most recognized one of all is Psalm 23:

The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness

for the sake of His name.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

Did you know that Jesus is the Anointed One? That He is the Liberating King? These adjectives came from The Voice version of Hebrews 9:28. I LOVE this description explaining that His death was for ONCE, and His second coming is for those “looking” and “waiting” for Him. King David described Him as being a “shepherd”, a description that is found throughout the New Testament when we read about Jesus’ life and earthly ministry.

So, are you looking? Waiting? In our small community alone, there are individuals and families who need a great measure of hope. Sickness has robbed us of loved ones. The economy has placed heavier strains on household budgets that were already faltering before we all experienced increased prices for goods and services. It’s easy to lose hope. It’s difficult to trust in someone or “something” to ease burdens that feel like you’re wearing a straightjacket, unable to feel free and confident every day. But God. In His message to all of us on this first Sunday in Advent is that there IS hope. A kind of hope that doesn’t come from an ordinary human but in the person of His Son, Jesus, Who knows us, loves us, understands us, and cares about every detail of our lives.

If you are feeling discouraged, alone, not sure where to turn in your present circumstances, I invite you into the season of Advent. Our community has good church bodies that celebrate this beautiful season leading us to Christmas Day.  Being part of a church family will not make all your troubles suddenly disappear, but what WILL happen is that as you hear God’s Word, as you listen to messages about His promises being good and true, that He is for you and and not against you, a NEW sense of expectant anticipation will rise within you. 

I have celebrated over 50 years of Advent seasons. I never grow tired as we light a candle each Sunday representing hope, peace, love and joy. May the words from Isaiah fill you and bring a refreshing to your soul.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. […] 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 greatness 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.”

Will you join me in the waiting? Will you seek hope these weeks leading into Christmas? Will you gather with others in our community and experience the light from a small candle that reflects the very essence of the Light of the Word? 

In my last column I wrote about my thoughts relative to gratitude as I reflected upon Thanksgiving Day approaching. By the time you read this, most of us will have had our fill of turkey, ALL the side dishes and desserts that make up a feast, hopefully around tables with family and friends who you appreciate and love. For us, my husband and I enjoyed the day with my brother and his family in his home. It’d been several years since we enjoyed a Thanksgiving Day together, so with great intention, we made the decision to spend time together.

With thoughts of gratitude behind me now, my mind has transitioned to “giving”. Christmas is fast approaching which is the most popular season of giving in today’s culture. The spirit of Christmas seems to lure folks into jolly attitudes and loving generous hearts that fill kettles for Salvation Army, purchase gifts for needy families, line community pantry shelves with food…send extra financial gifts to organizations in our community and even around the world.

This past week I taught a lesson for our local Celebrate Recovery group. Lesson 23 is titled “Give” and is based on Step 12 of the program: “Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs”. A scripture that accompanies this step comes from Matthew 10:8: “Freely you have received, freely give”.  

In order to add some personal depth to my lesson, I asked for answers to this question I posted on one of my social  media accounts. “What is your main way of giving: financial, volunteering, performing tasks without pay, etc.” The responses I received were great so I’m sharing some of them in my column this week.

• Jackie & her husband Rick provide afghans and blankets for Veterans. Together, they purchase all the supplies. Jackie does the crocheting. At Christmas, Rick bakes dozens of cookies to give to the staff at the Veterans’ Hospital in Saginaw.
• Jenifer, a single mom, noted that she tithes 10% of her income, serves in children’s ministry and when her budget allows she provides a meal for a family in need. She also focuses on “loving like Jesus” wherever she goes each day.
• Marilyn said “giving is only giving when it hurts a little”. For her, being stretched to give more whether it’s money or her time asks her to answer this question –”what do I need to ‘give’ to make it a true gift.
• Ellen didn’t mince words. “If you need help, I’m your girl!”
• Sarah told me “any craft related creation. You have a vision? If I have the ability, I’m your girl!”
• Julie and her grandkids make care packages for homeless people in their community. Whatever they can fit into a gallon size bag, the items go! Gloves, hat, socks, and personal hygiene products.
• Cassie loves spending time with teens, sacrificing her own schedule to hang out with students.
• Leslie is another one who crochets and knits blankets, mainly for family members. She told me that with every stitch she makes, a prayer is spoken for the person who receives the blanket.
• Gretchen had the most endearing way of giving. She lives in a senior housing apartment complex and recently a woman who is deaf moved into their midst. Gretchen invited an ASL student to come and teach her and the residents American Sign Language. This woman was thrilled and as they all learned how to sign, she was able to help them hone their skills along the way. 

No doubt, with increased inflation all around us at the grocery store, gas stations, restaurants–financial giving will be a stretch for many of us. A harsher economy doesn’t mean that hardships will miraculously go away; on the contrary folks we never expected to fall upon hard times will experience a variety of needs. Yet, many of us, can still help in many ways. One of my best friends Chris lives by the motto to “hold onto things with loose hands”…basically, she has much she can share with someone who needs it more than she. When I heard about this approach to having more than enough, I adopted the concept which has seen an increase in our own generosity.  I also was reminded about a time during the Great Depression when my Grandma Jewell gently chastised my Gramp. 

With a growing number of children to feed, there were most likely 8 mouths around her dinner table by the time the ‘30s rolled into their meager livelihood on the family farm. Putting together a meal took a lot of creativity and prayer. A neighbor down the road had truly fallen on hard times. His wife had died, leaving him with two small children to raise. My dad told me “those kids were pretty smart. They always knew when dinner time was at our house and would lollygag in our yard rather than go home.” Several times Gramp found them at the dinner table making it 10 hungry bellies to fill now. Dad and his siblings found out that in private their father had told Grandma…”Sadie, I can’t keep feeding those kids. I’ve got enough of my own to worry about”. Her gentle response was all he heeded.

“Clarence, those children don’t have a momma and they’re hungry”. 

Her pantry continued to provide for each meal and Grandpa never challenged her again.

Give. How do you respond to this command? I am convinced that my grandmother and countless generous folks in our communities are living out the truth behind Jesus’ words to “freely give” because He has so “freely given”. I’m also confident that many of us have “more” we can sacrifice, ample resources to let go from loosely held hands.

Giving and serving is a thermometer of our love. You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. “My children, love must not be a matter of words or talk; it must be genuine, and show itself in action”. 1st John 3:18

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”–Melody Beattie

The month of November holds many special days for me, my own birthday and wedding anniversary which are two weeks apart, our son’s birthday, as well as a son-in-law’s. Along with these “personal” celebrations we add in Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving Day. Scattered throughout the month are countless special days for others. No matter the significance of each event in November, they are all blanketed under an umbrella of “gratitude”. At least, that’s how November is being marketed to us now…midst football games, turkey dinners, Christmas decorations and advertising crowding out everything else before the turkey has even been put in the oven or deep fryer!

I was thinking about Veteran’s Day which we observed last week and the anticipation of Thanksgiving as we check off each day from our calendar leading up to Nov. 23. My mind drifted back to remembering the devastation that occurred in our country on Sept. 11. We all witnessed a flurry of patriotism. Churches saw an increase in attendance, although now those numbers have dwindled again. Most every coat lapel we saw on a TV personality bore a small American flag pin. Flag emblems now adorn most of the uniforms worn by major sporting teams. Many of us began taking a moment to acknowledge a Veteran or a first responder in our midst by giving a “thank you for your service”...I’ve done so myself and though I fear my words are trite, they remain my best. A sincere “thank you” is ample and satisfies my desire to express appreciation. Veteran’s Day also allows me to remember two favorite family stories….

My dad’s father–my Grandpa Jewell—had an elementary education. He was a hard worker who toiled sunup to sundown an 80 acre farm. To supplement income he used his skills with an ax to help clear trees on land in Northern Michigan. Gramp and Gramma raised 11 children during the depression and when World War II drew America into the efforts, my dad and four of his brothers all served in various branches of our military. Fast forward to the end of the war, dad and his brothers came home, married and began civilian life in their respective careers. Grandpa got a letter from the government stating he owed back taxes on the farm. Using his elementary age writing skills and sharp retorts, he wrote back….”you’re telling me I owe $?. Well, you took five of my boys to fight in your war. You didn’t ask me if you could have ‘em’…I think I paid enough.” Family lore told us this story and to this day I believe it and I also know (according to family) Grandpa never heard from the government office again.

One of those five boys, my Uncle Lyle, served in the Air Force as a career which spanned World War II, Viet Nam and final duty assignments in Hawaii before retiring to California. On one of their trips back to Michigan, he and my aunt stopped at a small motel for the night. Before going to bed, Lyle went outside for a walk and noticed a beautiful Harley Davison parked for the evening. As he walked a slow circle  around the bike, admiring it,  he was interrupted and when lifting  his head to find where a big voice was coming from, he was quite startled by the size of the person who clearly was the owner of the bike.

In a rather burly angry tone my uncle was greeted with “what do you think you’re doin!”

“I’m admiring your bike”.

By now the guy had seen the cap Lyle was wearing, one of many he owned. This one bore the P-51B Mustang insignia. “I suppose you’re gonna tell me you fought in World War II”.

“Yes”, I did.

“I suppose you’re gonna tell me you rode in one of those planes”.

“Yes, I did. But, I didn’t only ride in the plane, I was the pilot”.

Following a very brief moment of silence…Lyle thought to himself “what have I gotten myself into here. This guy is huge and he’s probably gonna do something that causes pain”.

Their silence was broken with the bike’s owner extending his hand to shake Lyle’s, creating a bridge between a Harley owner and a retired pilot. In their travels, both had seen a lot of beauty and their fair share of tragedies, too, that my imagination can only try to comprehend and yet not embrace in totality.  “I just wanna thank ya man. Because of you and your service, I have the freedom to ride my bike wherever I want.”

My dad, my uncles, are all gone from our family now. As I read through the quote I used at the top of this article, focusing on the phrase how gratitude can make sense of our past…bring peace…create vision for tomorrow…I’m left with a large measure of assurance how memories and “stories” from my family have helped mold me into the person that I am today. 

Last weekend I had the privilege of thanking a very mature Veteran for his service. He, too, was wearing a cap that proudly bore the insignia for his military branch. Those caps remind these ole guys–and women–of a past filled with heartache and triumph. They are worn very proudly and when I see someone wearing one, I seldom hesitate to take a moment to say “thank you”.

As we approach Thanksgiving Day there will be a lot of preparation for a big meal. Maybe there will be travel arrangements, plans to relax in front TVs to watch the “big game” or indulge in silly movies. How we celebrate this day is by personal choice. My only hope is that more of us will truly pause…allow silence to fall on our tables like a soft rain…and from hearts of humility and gratitude utter a sincere “thank you”….not to nature, not to the universe, not to luck….but to the One Who gives only good gifts from above. If you’ve never prayed before, here’s a little help from our country’s history, a prayer credited to the Pilgrims in the early 1600’s.

“O Lord our God and heavenly Father, which of Thy unspeakable mercy towards us, hast provided meate and drinke for the nourishment of our weake bodies. Grant us peace to use them reverently, as from Thy hands, with thankful hearts: let Thy blessing rest upon these Thy good creatures, to our comfort and sustentation: and grant we humbly beseech Thee, good Lord, that as we doe hunger and thirst for this food of our bodies, so our soules may earnestly long after the food of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, Amen” 

Apparently my night driving has created two new flaws, as evidenced driving home Tuesday evening from one community to another. It seems I hesitate too long when a stop light turns green and unknown to me I “hug” the center yellow line, maybe a slight swerve or two. That’s what the officer told me.

Yes, I was stopped about 9:15 pm on my drive home, minding my own business, listening to the radio, wondering why the vehicle behind me seemed to be a bit close–tailgating actually…the swirling lights answered that question.

I pulled over. I put the window down. I kept my hands on the wheel. I greeted the officer who didn’t look old enough to shave. I tried to answer his question ‘do you know why I stopped you?’ Why is that the standard first sentence out of their mouths?…I guess I’ll have to ask…followed by the next routine question…’where are you coming from?’ I’m pretty sure they want to see if alcohol can be smelled while having these quizzes…

Tuesday, I had been at a Celebrate Recovery meeting giving my testimony. When I told that to my way-too-young officer he said, “Oh, for alcohol or drugs? (there goes the ole assumption again–everyone in recovery must be an addict!) ‘No, for food issues and codependency’. My answer landed flat, like a deflated balloon falling from the ceiling to the floor.

I provided the usual documents. I confirmed the absence of weapons in my vehicle. I waited for him to run the system for my record.

I listened as he explained that by hesitating too long at the green light I was endangering other drivers. This was his response after I explained to him that as a defensive driver, I always wait a tad bit when my light turns green because I’ve almost been smooked by an oncoming driver. He acknowledged my caution, but made it clear I’m the more dangerous person.

I had no defense for occasionally hugging the center yellow line. I’m sure he was looking to snag an “driving under the influence” person. I got a mild scolding for that offense as well.

What I didn’t get was a “happy belated birthday”. Ya, two days after turning 70 I had an experience with a community police officer that maybe made some assumptions? 

His parting conversation with me included ‘So, no alcohol, no drugs, no shots tonight?’

No, sir. Just water. And a bit more educated about green lights and my version of defensive driving.