My Favorite.
Again it is my favorite time of year. I have always LOVED Christmas. I love the lights, the decorations, the smells, the baking, the family and most of all the reason. I love thinking about why we celebrate and how God chose to humble himself so low as to become a baby. Having a baby this year makes me realize even more how incredibly vulnerable babies are. Yet, he became one. One of the many things I will never be able to fully grasp in my finite mind. I was thinking on this the other day and I wonder how Mary really felt about everything. Especially traveling in her last weeks of pregnancy to a place she knew no one. Then going into labor in a place that didn't even have a bed. She didn't have her family or anyone she knew would help with the birth. Did Joseph know how to deliver a baby? Did they plan on meeting someone and the Jesus came early? Was she scared about what was going on or had she attended other family and friends births that she knew what to expect? These are all things my midwife mind goes to. It truly is amazing to me. A young woman with her first pregnancy and birth carrying the son of God. Talk about pressure. =) Did the peace of God come over her so that she felt little or did she labor as a normal woman? I know it really has no meaning in the grand scheme of things but it is interesting to think of this. God perfectly orchestrated it all so that it happened in a way most unexpected and isn't that how life is?
I was driving down to the coffee shop yesterday and Will and I saw a couple on the corner with a sign and we didn't pay much attention until we drove by and we saw they had a baby. Will asked me why they were outside with the baby when it was so cold. I told them they didn't have a home and they needed food. He began to tear up and said we should help them. I love his tender heart, when he chooses to show it. I of course thought that too. I would have piled them in my car and took them home but I know I couldn't. So, we did go back and ask what they needed most. They were staying at a shelter but needed diapers so we bought them some. It was interesting because even though this was so small and so simple for us, without it taking us out of comfort zone that is, I am glad that Will was able to see that. My heart is that he, all my children, will grow up with the desire to help and serve others in need. It also made me realize that if there had not been a baby I would not have really noticed. Is that the right attitude? What is God's heart in all of this? Where can we serve as a family that brings us out of our comfort zone? A place that Will can see how others live and that there is more to his world than our warm and cozy life? I know my answer would be to pack up and head to the Philippines or to India, or Nepal or Guatemala so work with women and babies, but... that isn't a realistic option at this moment. So, what about Boise, ID? This is my challenge and my prayer right now as we are wrapping up 2011.
So, today I teach my children and myself that we keep our eyes open to those in need and be ready for the opportunities that come our way. that without knowing it we may be entertaining angels and serving the poor. Hebrews 13:2, Proverbs 14:21, of course Proverbs 31:20 are couple verses that come to mind. I need to reroute my thinking to have a missionary mind in the place that I am exactly how I am. Something God has been putting on my heart more and more.
I know I went on a little more than I expected but.. it was on my mind. Merry Christmas and enjoy the season.
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