I’ve Got Your Back

Today I am participating in the FAITH JAM.

The questions to ponder are….

Which character in the Christmas Story speaks most deeply with you?

How is God guiding you to take next steps on your journey to give birth to a dream?

I thought this post I wrote a couple of years ago, or was it just last year, answers today’s first question. I relate to Mary. A simple woman, a mother who loved her son. Who prayed that she was doing the right things. She who spent time pondering all these things. Who tried to understand. One who knew great joy and promise and still felt the pain of deep grief and sorrow.

As I continue to grow in my relationship with the Lord…as my grip on my own life loosens…my dreams have changed. I’m not sure what God has ahead for me. Maybe the path to my dream will be smooth and straight, but more likely it will be twisted and steep, rocky and scary at times. Even though I’m in my mid 40’s, I still have moments where I wonder what my dream is? What is it that would change me? Change my community? Change my world? With God no dream is too big, or too small.

The other day I was working in the kitchen when the words came to me, “I’ve got your back”. Just like that. Those words. Just as plain as if they had been whispered in my ear. Then this verse immediately came to my mind:

Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:8 ESV

Now, I don’t know about you….but, that gave me the chills. Seriously. Goosebumps.

God has my back, and He has yours too.

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I think I mentioned that I am playing Mary (mother of Jesus)tomorrow at church. I’ve been thinking of Mary a lot lately because of this part that I have in the Advent monologues. Having to memorize “Mary’s lines” helps me to remember what is truly important. Allow me to practice my lines with you…..

”How can I even begin to tell you what I saw inJesus? Even before he was born my life was filled with wonder and amazement…..I was visited by an angel. Such power and authority! And yet there was such gentleness as he shared with me the expression of God’s love.

And then there was Joseph. He was incredible throughout all these events. Of course, he had questions and concerns but, he always responded to me with such love. I know that his own visit from an angel had a lot to do with that.

There are so many things that I remember…and I hold those  moments close to my heart. Because to be honest with you, most of Jesus’ life didn’t make sense to me…..until it was finished.

Jesus, he always thought of others before himself….I remember when we went to a wedding feast. Jesus changed the water into wine because he didn’t want the wedding host to be humiliated. Then there was the Samaritan woman at the well. He reached out to her with such love, I can’t even describe it! He even lovedPeter, a man who had denied knowing him, multiple times! And yet, love and forgiveness were his.

Then there was the cross…..the cross. Even on the cross Jesus was so full of love, and thinking of others. He didn’t want me to worry about how I’d be taken care of, so he said, ‘ John, take care of my mother.’ And to me he said, ‘ Mother, treat John as if he is your son.’

As he hung on the cross, with his life slipping away, he still had such love— and was putting others before himself. I heard him say, ‘ Father, forgive them!’……………….. and to the thief on the cross next to him he said, ‘ Today I will see you in paradise.’

And then it made sense. I understood. Love. God’s love. Jesus was a demonstration of God‘s love to this world. He was born, and he lived, and he died, and he rose again as an expression of God’s love to me! And as an expression of God’s love to each of you! God’s love…..that is what Jesus is all about. “

This certainly puts Christmas in perspective. Doesn’t it?