Christmas 2010

Someone recently introduced me as "the girl you wouldn't want to stand next to in a lightening storm".

While I chuckled at the innocence of my friend's candid comment, it really got me to thinking. I would have to argue that if God's purpose for my life at this particular point in time is to be a lightening rod for His glory, then so be it.

This year has been one of beautiful chaos. If our front porch could talk, oh the stories it would tell! Our prayer warriors and precious friends and family have blessed us beyond comprehension this past year. Our rocking chair has held pints of ice cream, baggies of mustard seeds, gallons of sweet tea, vases of fresh cut flowers, tiny baggies of Nams Cookie bites, comfy pajama pants, and numerous other gifts of encouragement.

God has brought Chris and I to-and-through so many trials. In the midst of the struggles and chaos, He has given us beauty and splendor.

He has taught us how to be genuine. How to be "raw". How to live for today and praise Him for the gift of tomorrow.

As Christmas rolled around this year, I was left trembling at His feet, in awe of His mercy and grace. As He finished moving one mountain for us (farewell kudzu, so long), He brought us to the valley of another.

My mom pulled me aside this past week and shared with me her wisdom on why bad things happen to good people. "We live in a fallen world" she said. "God doesn't cause bad things to happen, He simply places himself in the midst of what this world presents us with".

I will always treasure those words. When we want to cry out "Why, oh God, why?", we must remember that we worship a mighty God who loves us and knows the plans He has for us.

"Sometimes it is hard to accept that God can bring about His purposes through our trials. It is hard to see past our circumstances to a future that, for us, doesn’t exist yet. But God is not constrained by time. He is not reined in by our circumstances. Because of this, we have to trust that our limited perspective simply can not process His higher purpose."

There is something comforting in knowing that our perspective is limited. If we relied on ourselves and our view of the world, we would be left staring at our feet. Shifting uncomfortably, lacking understanding. Tonight I am most thankful to have a God who's purpose is so mighty that it is simply incomprehensible.

We didn't get Cooper's picture made with Santa this year. We didn't even get our Christmas tree up. We didn't have our annual Starbuck's Caramel Apple Spice date, or watch the Christmas Story start to finish. Our Pink Pig tickets hang untouched on the fridge.

Our Christmas picture this year is raw. We aren't wearing coordinating Christmas outfits. Cooper doesn't even have on his "Santa" jammies. Chris and I might not have showered in two days.

Our prayer is to remain real. To remain true to each other. To cling to our faith and to praise God for giving us the opportunity to walk with each other down this road of life.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know that this love that surpasses all knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:17-19

Merry Christmas, from our family to yours. With love and blessings...

r