You Are Always On My Mind

Do you remember that feeling when you first met your sweetheart and you couldn’t get him or her out of your mind? That’s all I thought about – morning, noon and night – that cute, black haired, brown eyed boy stole my heart AND my mind!

This year I found that the principal thing is the simplest thing -- noticing, purposing to be aware of God everywhere, recognizing the beauty in His creation, in the talents and abilities of His kids, savoring the everyday realities of His grace that are so abundant. Willie Nelson recorded the song, "You Are Always On My Mind", and that has been my love song to God this year. In being "tuned in" to Him and being grateful for the simple yet obvious "God" encounters in my day, He has been on my mind...a LOT!

I sincerely want to continue that awareness of Him and having Him on my mind. "Him I will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon Me." Isaiah 26:3. But, I also know the struggle it is to stay "in the moment". It's just so easy to be distracted from the very things He wants to show me.

And that’s what Christmas has been about — finding Him in the midst of the chaos, in the midst of the interruptions and distractions. No question, He is everywhere, but the simplest, purest, most humble and less grandiose place we'll find Him, is still -- in the manger. Wouldn't it make sense that we, too, will find him in some of the least expected places of our life? Perhaps in the homeless man on the street corner, a newborn baby, the hug from a friend, the "My pleasure" from the Chick-Fil-A cashier, in the "answered prayer" story of a friend, or simply, the cross hanging from someone's neck?

This is still His Christmas. Remember the chaotic, stinky, messiness of Jesus' birthplace? That's where we'll find Him in our world too. We'd love to be distraction-less and have ongoing sweet, encounters with Him....but, it just doesn't matter. He meets us where we are -- in our busyness AND in our stillness. He is there. God is always there waiting for us. When we're "practicing His presence" we'll find Him embracing us, giving us aha moments, seeing Him everywhere and in everything.

And if going to the stable and the manger in our minds is too much of a stretch.....after all, it really is quite stinky and messy there.....then we can go to the foot of the cross where He paid the ultimate price for you and me. We were on His mind from the manger to the cross. We are ALWAYS on His mind. Shouldn't He ALWAYS be on our mind?

Oh Tidings of Comfort and Joy

God REST You Merry Gentlemen. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy! For this Nana, "rest" hasn't been the operative word this week, but comfort and joy are abounding. Being here with my “Austin” grandchildren this week has been filled with non-stop activity. I love that the grown-up ones enjoy coming over to the house to hang with us, given their busy schedules. Last night I made “comfort" food -- pot roast and all the trimmings. Of course, I wanted to throw out the bait for another time together before I go back home on Friday. I treasure these times that I’ll never get back, so "Make the moments count!" is my aim!

There is never “slow motion” at this home. But it’s still comfort and joy to me. The younger two boys have busy, full schedules. Even being here for my grandson’s “out of his COMFORT zone” first solo music performance at his school’s Christmas Festival, brought ME “comfort and joy”! And he did a great job.

You can see that I make it my number one priority to embrace those who are still with me on this side of heaven. I’m running my race with theirs and oh, the comfort and joy it brings me. This time of the year brings additional times of joy and celebration, but, if we’re not bent toward finding the good and beautiful in the little things and the little people and the little moments, it can be a very somber and painful time. I know that feeling. My daddy passed away on December 17th when I was just 15-years-old. I remember my mother’s tears as she unwrapped his presents from under the tree. My own precious husband passed away on November 16th and Christmas has never been the same because Papa isn't here to read his hilarious version of the “Nativity Christmas Story” to the grandkids, who adored when he changed his accents for the characters and the animals. Most recently, a dear friend’s husband passed away, and another friend’s wife passed away, and another’s father passed away. I understand when people’s yuletide cheer doesn’t measure up because they’re hurting so much.

I assure you, however, there is sweet comfort and joy to be found when we determine to look for it and find it, then capitalize it and make a celebration of it! It is such a better alternative for discomfort and sadness.

Don’t give up, dear ones who are hurting. You may not want to sing about decked halls or jingling bells, but there is greater news worth singing. Don’t let your sorrow steal you away from Him who brings tidings of comfort and joy. The same little Lord Jesus away in the manger is the mighty King Jesus and Savior who came to give you abundant life. (John 10:10). This pain won’t last forever if our hope is in the ONE who holds our todays and tomorrows. May we remember the angel's words on the night when Christ was born. “Fear not for I bring you GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY which shall be for all people." Luke 2:10. During this beautiful time of the year…we can still sing the words “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, let NOTHING you dismay, remember Christ, our Savior, was born on Christmas Day. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy!”

If we are among those who are on the side of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", maybe it's time for us to add some of that cheer to those around us who could use a smile, a hug, a warm embrace of Jesus in the flesh -- Jesus as Emmanuel -- God with us -- God in us -- reaching out and loving others -- to help bring them GOOD TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY.