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Daily Dose of Encouragement

A Mary Spirit

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“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child.”

Luke 2:4-5, NET Bible

382990_10150416591029952_1485897219_n-2Christmas is only a few weeks away. Perhaps, like me, you still have countless things to do in order to prepare for coming guests. The physical demands on our time, strength, and resources can quickly alter our “Fa-la-la” spirits to ones of “Bah! Humbug!”

Scripture tells us that Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register for a mandatory tax census. Bethlehem was three days away, and Mary would make the long, arduous journey by donkey. Not a comfortable mode of transportation for anyone, much less for a woman nine months pregnant and expecting a child any day. Could the timing have been any worse?

I wonder what Mary’s words to Joseph were as they packed for their journey. I can imagine what I would be saying, but somehow I can’t envision Mary grumbling. After all, when told by the angel what God’s role for her would be in his divine plan, she communicated a sweet spirit of submission. “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38, ESV). Although, Mary dealt with the frailties of humanness, God gave her his grace for her journey.

Regardless, of what the next few weeks hold as we prepare for Christmas, let’s refuse to allow grumbling and complaining to penetrate our spirits of celebration. God promises us the grace we need for our respective journeys.

According to God’s Word, when we are faithful in the small things, God will entrust us with greater things (Matt. 25:23). Mary yielded completely to God’s plan. As you view the following video, consider this: What is God asking you to do? Are you willing?

https://youtu.be/Plg-7kbnUt8

Carry a Mary spirit. Christ has come!

Merry Christmas!

Starr

Inextinguishable Light

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“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” 

John 1: 5, NLT

Tree“I don’t know if I’m really going to like it here. “I don’t know anybody. I don’t know my way around. There’s no sun, surf, and sand, anywhere close by. And, it’s been dreary, windy, and cold for the last several days! I really miss Hawaii. It always seemed bright and shiny there!” These were some of my thoughts as I settled into fall on the East Coast after three years of basking in the sunshine of “Paradise”. I was moping for sure, and life just seemed kind of dreary to me. My hope for the new place was waning and any appreciation for where and how to fit in was too. Perhaps, I just needed a little sign. “Help me, Lord”, I managed to pray, weakly; “just give me a little light in my darkness, here, please!”

Then, one morning, as I looked out, I witnessed a beautiful autumn sight! The sun was out! And, not only was it out, it was shining on a tree in a way that made the tree look almost fluorescent! After moping through several days of darkened skies, I really appreciated the brightness! It was just the sight I needed to bring me out of my period of mini-gloom.

Sometimes it’s hard to believe the light is there on days when the sky is full of clouds, rain, and endless gray. But even on those days when the sun seems to hide so far beneath the clouds that we can’t see it directly, we know it’s still there. God is like that.

When we belong to Him, we have assurance, through faith in him and his grace that he is always with us in every aspect of our lives, even when we feel like he’s not there. I’d forgotten that God said He’d always be with me through every change, doubt, fear, and darkness. I’d forgotten that the very Light that made the world has the power to make a new life from the pieces of my darkness and fears.

The light of hope to start over in a new place, and learn to appreciate its beauty and offerings was still there. It had not been extinguished. I needed that reminder to simply believe what God said about never leaving me.

Jesus is our light in the darkness of life. He shines through our darkness more magnificently than the sun through that tree.

By grace through faith,

Rita

Souls Unglued

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“What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!”

Matthew 10:27, NLT

DSC01353-2The first morning of writer’s boot camp, I was almost booted to the floor. As I lunged forward, the corner of the mattress broke my fall. Boot camp coordinators had given us a charge to “Advance!”, but I’m relatively sure nose-diving into the carpet wasn’t what they had in mind.

I looked down at my stylish black boots—the likely culprits. One sole had become unglued and now flapped precariously with each step. (Note to self: Always pack two pairs of black shoes.) I scuffed my way to the conference room, hoping to remain upright while trying to hide my fashion faux pas.

God never misses an opportunity to teach, and my well-ventilated shoe amplified his message for the morning: Sometimes it is good to come unglued.

Let’s face it. It’s easier to coordinate our outfits than our lives. We are not glamorous runway models depicted in flawless, airbrushed glossies. We are world-worn sojourners with a God-given message and a call to be real. Can we really say, “God use me to share your message,” and then stop short of baring our souls? Transparency may cost us, but the soul of another is priceless. Are we willing to pay the price to affect someone’s life for eternity?

Christ gave his all. Should we do less?

God has entrusted us with unique spheres of influence, and our experiences set us apart. If we remain silent, our stories will be left untold, and His will remain unheard. Who knows, baring one’s soul may actually become fashionable and bring life-changing results.

So flap open your soul, and wear your faux pas with style.

Blessings,

Starr