Sunday Thoughts...Mary Did You Know?

"Mary did you know your baby boy would one day walk on water?"

One of my favorite Christmas Carols is "Mary Did You Know".  Each time I hear it, my thoughts turn to the young teenage pregnant mother, Mary, preparing to deliver her baby.

 I look back just weeks before I gave birth.  I was 29 and had been married four years.  It was an exciting, but scary time.  Instinct, hormones, something took over and I began the process of "nesting".  Everyone fussed over me.  Neighbors visited, friends called and my mother packed her suitcase.  There might have been a baby shower or two.   Baby clothes were washed and hung.  There was a good stash of diapers stored in the nursery closet.  Arrangements had been made months ahead of time for delivering my baby.  I knew there would be a room available.  I knew there would be nurses and a doctor to care for both me and my baby.  All asked of me was to wait, plan and dream of my child's bright future.

Though we are in the last week of Advent, ready to rejoice in the birth of Jesus,  this mother's heart continues to return to the young pregnant girl traveling, with her soon-to-be-husband, to a distant city.  There was no nesting... no parties... no one to fuss over her.  Instead doors were slammed in her face, until she and her fiancé were offered a cave, a dwelling place for animals.  Was she terrified?   Instead of nurses and doctors taking care of every need,  she gives birth in the presence of cows, goats and sheep.

As a mother and grandmother, I wonder what Mary hoped for her child?  She had been told she was giving birth to the Messiah.   Did she still hold in her heart the same hopes and dreams I had for my own child? 

Did she know?

As I rush around wrapping up all the loose ends of holiday preparations, I continually find myself in awe of the faith of this young Mary who gave birth to our Savior so many many years ago.   And I give thanks for the gift she gave to the world.

"Mary did you know...."

          "when you kissed your little baby,

you kissed the face of God?

Merry Christmas!

(my favorite Christmas carol)

Thoughts on a Difficult Week

Here we are Saturday, November 12, 2016....

 we survived the week.

And, it has been a stressful week.  In my PollyAnna way I thought no matter how the election turned out we would return to life as we knew it.  We would all pitch in and work together.   I was wrong and so very disappointed.

I am going to be honest here.  My candidate was not in the running.    I pretty much removed myself from social media, Facebook,  because I was losing respect for many on both sides.  There was a time I believed I could not with a good conscience vote.  Arguments for both sides seemed seriously flawed in my eyes.  Yet, Tuesday I walked into my polling place, said a short prayer and cast my vote.  (Please do not assume, I prayed, therefore you know for whom I voted)

Wednesday morning we awoke as divided as we were on Tuesday.  Those who tried to bridge the two sides with prayer and kind words were trampled.   Some continued the spewing and others took to the streets in protest.  In my opinion neither is bringing us together as a country, and that friends, truly breaks my heart.  

Last night, I went to see "The Crucible" at our repertory theater.   As a teenager there was a time I was obsessed with the Salem witch trials, and yes, I voluntarily read Arthur Miller's play, "The Crucible".   At fifteen I was awed by the spectacle of it all.  And, I question God.   Last night, it was the injustice caused by fear mongering and mass hysteria that pulled me into the story.  And I knew though his name was thrown around,  God was neither invited to nor in attendance at that party.   Does any of this sound relevant to this past year?

Throughout the play, I wanted everyone to step back, take a deep breath, put egos aside and think about what they were doing.   It dawned on me this is exactly how I have felt throughout this whole election year.   As the second act was coming to it's conclusion, though I knew the outcome, I wanted it to be different than what I remembered.   I wanted a happy ending.

So here is my PollyAnna thoughts at the end of this week.  

Winners, congratulate yourself...  Losers, lick you wounds.  

We can have a happy ending!  

Let's step back, breathe, set aside our egos, stop the pointing of fingers and remember both sides are filled with good, honorable and intelligent folks.  Success comes through work, blending of ideas and compromise.   And yes, I believe prayer.   It is my humble belief we all want the same thing, a great country and world for generations to come. 

I hope I have not offended.  

I write this as salve for my own heart.   I do not grieve for an election, 

but for my dear country that is great, but so divided.  

I welcome your opinions; I know they will be kind.

Gently and peaceful thoughts my friends!

Friday Pondering

Happy Friday friends!

I hope you have had a grand week.  I have been spending a lot of time at school... at least it feels like it.  This is a busy time of year, with three major holidays back to back.  It is all good and a lot fun, though I am happy to have the afternoon off today.

Recently while catching up with my favorite blogs I happened upon a couple of writers addressing thoughts of closing down.  At least one mentioned  needing fresh inspiration.  It hit home.  I've posted a few times of my own struggles with my writing.  Needing "fresh inspiration"  put a face on my own endeavor to put something of substance worth sharing here on my pages.

Do you ever go back and read your past posts?  I think I've ask this question before.  Last night while searching for something I thought I had posted, I found myself reading back through  several months of posts.   As I read, I remembered the joy I found in writing, and hearing back from you.   As I revisited many of your comments I realized how much I learned through your kind and wise words.  Sometimes one must go back to go forward.

Though I continue to seek  that "fresh inspiration", I still feel this is a very happy place to be.   And, you are the ones who make it so. 

Sending you wishes for the best week-end ever!

Wednesday's Book Talk

"Don't quit, and don't give up.  The reward is just around the corner.  And in times of doubt or times of joy, listen for that still, small voice.  Know that God has been there from the beginning -- and he will be there until the end."

Are you a fan of HGTV's Fixer Upper? 

I am not a big fan of TV,  but I am hooked on watching Joanna and Chip Gaines find homes needing some love and watching them breathe new life into them.    I'm pretty sure I didn't find "Fixer Upper" until the end of their second season, so while everyone else was eagerly awaiting a new season, I was catching up.  I couldn't get enough of this charming couple.   I even convinced my husband to watch an episode... now, he is the one turning on the television Tuesday evenings to watch reruns.

If you are a fan of the show,  you are going to want to pick-up of copy of their book, The Magnolia Story.   When you open the cover you step into their love story and journey from its beginning to where they are now.  When you read the last page I believe you will have a greater appreciation for their success.  

 I love the way this book is written.  The language is simple, it is easy to follow, and the voices are honest.  I think my favorite thing about this book is they joyfully acknowledge their faith and God's presence in their life, relationship, family and success.  I find this refreshing.

If I had not been a fan before I read this book, I would be now.

Tonight I'm settling in to finish The Light Between Oceans.  It is November's selection 
for both of my book groups.  What are you reading?

Happy reading friends!

" 'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future' "

                                                                                                           Jeremiah 29:11