You are Here

He was created of a mother whom he created. He was carried by hands that he formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy. He, the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.
~ St. Augustine
 
Christ was born in the first century, yet he belongs to all centuries. He was born a Jew, yet He belongs to all races. He was born in Bethlehem, yet He belongs to all countries.
~ George W. Truett


Something of eternal significance transpired there.  Not only was the calendar of the world changed, but heaven itself and eternity were affected.
~ J. Vernon McGee


If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: 'God with us.'
We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ.  The greater truth of the holiday is His deity.
More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth
that this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth!
~ John MacArthur


Rejoice, that the immortal God is born, so that mortal man may live in eternity.
~ John Huss


My heart is overwhelmed when I think of my Savior, King incarnate.  My Father, Creator in flesh.  I cannot imagine how Mary's heart was able to hold all of things she witnessed.  Things no other human eyes were able to behold.  The glory of heaven wrapped in a helpless babe. 


So today I am trying to wrap my heart around the mercy and compassion poured out for me.  For us.  In the flesh of an infant child, held in his mother's arms. 


I am leaving you today with one of my favorite Christmas songs... "You're Here" by Francesca Battistelli.


Blessings sweet friends!


You're Here

Peace on the Earth, Goodwill Towards Men

I love how the Christmas season seems to bring out the best in some people.  There is a renewed hope in the nature of man, a greater willingness to serve others, and the reminder that it is better to give than to receive.



But there are those who love and serve throughout the year, not only during the holidays.  There is a joy set deep in their hearts, and a desire to share that joy.  On days when they grow weary, they serve.  In moments when there is nothing left of themselves to give, they give.


They are unsung heroes, servants, lovers of Jesus.


They are...



The man who offers to help the mom pushing two carts from the grocery out to her car.



The wife who lovingly cares for her family while her husband is fighting cancer.



The child who buys an extra Christmas gift for their younger sibling because they love to see them open gifts.



The dad who plays dolls and tea parties with his daughter.



The woman who gets the wheelchair in and out of the trunk of her car so her husband is mobile while waiting for knee surgery.



The family that makes a meal and delivers it to friends who are dealing with unspeakable pain and sorrow.



The pastor who visits the homes of hurting people, and the wife who prays along side him.



The mom who stays up all night to care for her sick child.



The woman who gives up everything she has and moves to a third world country to help rescue women for trafficking.



The group of ladies who form a ministry selling the handmade items from women in other countries to help them support their families.



The co-worker who randomly buys a Starbucks for a friend because she able to do so.



The friend who listens intently before speaking a word.



The family that opened their hearts and arms to orphans in need of a forever family.


I am blessed to have some pretty incredible people in my life.  People that give, serve and love.  They are the hands of feet of Jesus.  They celebrate the heart of Christmas every day throughout the year... without even realizing the blessings they are to people around them.


You have these people in your life as well.  Notice them.  Encourage them.  Love on them.  Remind them they are being used for the kingdom.


I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Winter Snow

It is funny how God can take a rough day, filled with stress and things that don't go the way you had planned, and reveal His gentle beauty through written words. 

The girls and I have been reading Max Lucado's "A Cosmic Christmas" over the past few days.  As I read through that last pages I found my chest grow tight, breaths draw short, and tears stream down my face.   I found myself completely surprised and overwhelmed by the pure love of my Heavenly Father. 

The solution to man's sin and separation from our Heavenly Father was the Word made flesh.  Christ incarnate.  The King of kings wrapped in an infant's flesh, cradled in his mother's arms. 

Surely there was a mistake.  The night of our Savior's birth was not filled with fanfare or a large crowd anxiously waiting to see the King.  There were no trumpets announcing the royal birth.  How could the world, who had been clinging to prophecies of old and the promise of the Messiah, miss this grand birth? 

Because God has something much bigger in mind.  And, like almost everything else He does, it was not the way man would brought the Savior into this world.  But, then again, isn't that the problem?  The reason for our need of a Savior?

Oh, Jesus could have come in fast and furious.  He could have come in with all of his power and glory filling the night.  He could have just appeared and not even included Mary and Joseph in the grand redemption plan. 

But that is not the way it happened.

I imagine all of heaven waiting, with baited breath, for the glorious appearance of the King.  I imagine silence as they waited to hear the first cry of the Christ child.  I imagine Gabriel and Michael standing in the stable leading the angelic choir singing...

Glory, Glory, Glory to God in the highest. 

No.  This night was far from what we expected.  And I would venture to say quite different than what the angels expected.  But rest assured, it was exactly as God had planned.

He sent His son as a helpless babe.  The redemption of mankind would come through the cross that this tiny infant would one day carry.

To my finite mind, this is impossible to fathom. 

Our Savior could have come with the royalty he justly deserves.   

No, He came like winter snow.  Quiet. Soft. Slow.  Falling from the sky in the night to the earth below.

Beautiful. Pure. Holy. Salvation.


Winter Snow by Chris Tomlin and Audrey Assad

Deck the Halls...

Our house is modest, but filled with intense love.  Our home decorations are simple, but they are "us."  We are a simple family.  No frills and lace, no need for top of the line furnishings.  Our home is lived in, loved in and open to all.


The only exception to our minimal décor is during the holidays.  I LOVE to decorate for the holidays.  We begin in October with pumpkins and leaves and fall colors, then switch to our Christmas decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving.


Well, usually.


This year, on November 1... yes, you read that correctly.  The day after Halloween!  I was asked if we could go ahead and put up the Christmas tree.  


Ummmm... NO!


This became and daily, and even comical, conversation. 


On November 15, a day that will do down in Howe History, I conceded to my family's wishes and we put up our tree.


Now, I had been planning and plotting and purchasing burlap and had planned on making new ornaments to hang on the tree this year.  Things that would make the tree flow with the rest of the house.  Solid white lights are always a must.  My red wood bead garland, and our burlap and rusted metal angel tree topper.  I admit, I was getting excited.


We started the day long process, Christmas music playing, laughs, you know, our attempt at the Hallmark moment. 


Then things went south.  At least for me.


White lights are missing.  My solution... go to the store.


Family solution... multi-colored lights!!!  I just could not bring myself to go there.  Just not my thing. 


But sweet little faces and gentle, yet firm, persuading conversations made me consent.  Not willingly.  Not with a smile on my face.  But with gritted teeth and a silent prayer that God would change my heart!  Really, it's just colored lights.  What on earth is the big deal???


The mood changed in the house.  We could all sense it.  Even though I tried hard to convince everyone that I was totally on board they could see right through me.  (Never played Poker, now you know why!)


Lights on, all working... time for ornaments.


I told the girls to start picking out what they wanted on the tree - we have way too many ornaments.  They skipped over nearly every ornament I had envisioned on the tree.  They went for the cartoon characters, big colorful snowmen, the over sized candy canes...


I sat back and just let them do their thing.  No comments.  No guidance on where to put ornaments.  I had resigned to the fact that the one thing I cherished most about our Christmas decorations was no longer even remotely under my control.  The thing that was "MINE" was not longer mine. 


Then my girls started pulling out the old ornaments.  Booties and mittens that belonged to their daddy when he was a tiny.  Then, they hit the goldmine!  They found all of their handmade ornaments from daycare, church, school and craft times at home.  Traced hands cut out and made into angel wings.  Glittered ornaments with their photos glued on the front.  Mini nativity scenes made from popsicle sticks. Stars.  Candy canes. 


Then they found it, the key ornament, the "mother load" as they refer to great things.  Our Jesus spike.  It has a special place in the center of our tree, as a reminder that Christ is the center of Christmas.


With each ornament they put on the tree my heart softened and I was drawn to the beauty of this stolen tree.  Tears flowed, but I was careful to keep them hidden. 


When it came time for garland, the discussion turned to me.  What did I want on the tree?  Hmmm... paper circle garland, made by my sweet babies.  That would be the perfect finishing touch.


As we finished the girls stood back and looked with pride and joy at the tree THEY had decorated.   No interference from mom.  No suggestions on clumps of ornaments or gaping holes.  It was theirs.


Maddie asked me what I thought of the tree....


"It is the most beautiful Christmas tree we have ever!"


I have reflected on this day many times with friends.  I have laughed and cried about it.  God changed me that day.  Not that I was super crazy about things being perfect.  Anyone who knows me knows that is not the case.  I have issues, but I am by no means well put together.  But God reminded me that day that even in the small stuff I need to step back and let Him do His thing.  He is making things beautiful in HIS time.  Not mine.  And surely not the way I would do it. 


His ways are higher than mine, and His thoughts higher than my thoughts.


Would I have chosen to send Christ as a helpless babe to bring salvation to the world that had rejected me over and over?  Would I have sacrificed my only son for a world that did not love me, or my son, in return?  Would I have given so much? 


No.  I can't say that I would.


But that is the beauty of our God!  He doesn't do things the way we would.  He sees the big picture.  And His love for us is far greater than anything we can begin to imagine. 


So this year, take a step back.  Look past what the world tell us is beautiful and focus on what God sees as beautiful.  Look in the eyes of a stranger and say "hello."  Seriously make eye contact.  Encourage the retails workers as they are enduring the long hours and not so friendly customers.  Distract a fussy toddler so mom or dad can check out at the register. 


Take a moment to look at the beauty of the ones God for whom God sent salvation.  Then love them.  Simply for who they are. 

Light in the Darkness

It has been too long.... way too long.  I keep putting off writing, even though my heart is filled with so much I want to share.  Today my heart burst open and I simply cannot keep things internalized any longer.  So...

I am coming out of a very dry, dark season of my life.  In fact, this year has been filled with the brightest light and deepest darkness I have ever experienced.  Needless to say, this girl is emotionally exhausted... and could not be happier.  Why?  Because I have learned this year the true depths of the Father's love for me, and have felt His never failing arms carry me through the deepest valley. 

I have also been reminded that I am not alone.

This is a beautiful truth that I cannot keep to myself.

I have had several conversations with strong, amazing, godly women over the past few months that have experienced similar victories and defeats.  They have rejoiced over the wonder of God, and have wept with broken hearts.  In these women I found my Aaron and Herr.  I found women who would stand by me, lift me up when I was too tired to stand, and pray for me when all I wanted to do was curl up in ball and cry.  I found true Sisters, bound by the love of Christ.  Precious and irreplaceable Sisters. 

So tonight I sit here with a heavy heart.  I am broken for my Sisters who are hurting.  My Sisters who are discouraged.  My Sisters who are tired and weary from life and all it entails.  My Sisters who have lost their joy, their hope and their freedom.  My Sisters who are no longer able to find satisfaction in Christ alone.  Daily I read prayer requests for marriages, for loved ones suffering from cancer, for mothers and daughters not getting along, for children facing serious health issues, and for strength and eyes to see God for who He truly is. 
  
I go back in my mind to the dark days and remember what it is like to feel desperate, alone, unworthy, frustrated, angry, and ready to give up.  In those moments I am reminded of God's grace and mercy in my life, and my desperate need for Him.   And out of this remembrance my soul is stirred.  A quickening. 

Sweet Sisters, be encouraged.  Know that you are NOT alone.  Know that you have Aaron and Herrs out here praying for you.  And this is only the beginning.  We want to help lighten your burden.  We want to listen to your heart and hear your hurts.  We want to cry with you, pray with you, walk with you, live life with you.  We want to remind you how much you are loved and valued.  We want you to see yourself through the eyes of Christ, beautiful and cherished.
So lift your eyes to the hills and see your Father, high and lifted up.  See him enthroned in His glory, filled with grace and mercy.   See the longing in His eyes.  Longing for you, His sweet Daughter.  He is wooing you.  He is calling out to your heart.  He wants to bring you healing and renewal.  He longs for you with a loving heart.  He offers hope, joy and restoration.  His arms are open.  The only thing stopping you from walking into His presence...

... is you.

Don't turn away from Him.  Don't walk with your head down and your shoulders sagging.  RUN!  Run into the arms of Jesus.  He will open your eyes to see the truth and your heart to inexplicable peace. 

Warning... He will also change you.  He will challenge you to love on and minister to other women in your situation.  He will break your heart for your broken Sisters and cause you to fall on your knees in prayer.

Is there anything better? 

No. 

Breathtakingly Beautiful

I have become more aware recently incredible beauty in everyday life. 

In the hands that cook meals to serve to sweet souls in a homeless shelter.

In the arms that carry a young child.

In the eyes of a stranger looking at me from across the room.

In the laughter of my daughters.

In the early morning sky that reflects the rising sun.

In the voice of my dad as he tells me how God allowed him to meet the family that he and his brothers in Christ are helping build for them through Habitat for Humanity.

In tears shed over a hurting friend.

In hands lifted in praise and worship.

In the song of a group of 7 year old girls singing “Let it Go” at the top of their lungs.

In the prayers lifted up to the Father.

In the wedding kiss of a sweet young couple.

In the broken heart of a mother as she talks about her daughter.

In the tiny fingers of a newborn as they hold momma’s finger.

In new spring blooms.

In sisters who stand, arm in arm, ready to face life together.

There is so much beauty all around us.  We simply need to allow our eyes to open and see it.  

Yet there is a certain beauty that is not seen, but felt.  A beauty that shakes your core and causes you to stand taller and walk stronger.  A beauty that puts the needs of others above their own pain and suffering. 

I am grateful for the beauty that God has placed all around me.  I pray that He will continue to open my eyes to see the world as He sees it, His creation.   I pray that I take the time to teach my girls to stop and see the same beauty.  To cherish it, to love it, to protect it, to encourage it…. To be beauty.  Breathtaking beauty.