Welcome to my home:
a place to rest,
a place to revive,
a place to pray.

I've started a new habit.

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In the early morning, when I let my black lab outside, I now walk out with him. For a few moments, I stand on my patio, and look up into the dark sky. This blanket of blackness serves as a backdrop to all kinds of artistry in which the grand Painter uses to speak to me, and I to him. Sometimes the tapestry is full of stars--"Spectacular!" Sometimes it's only the moon--"Brilliant!" And sometimes it's nothing; the fog barricades it all from view.

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The other morning the sky was moonlit, but barely. A layer of fog was traveling by, causing the moon to be there and then, not there. There, and then, not there. Visible and then invisible. Of course, you and I both know the moon was always present, even when it seemed absent.

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Sometimes I need reminding of this in my walk with God. There are times I have complete clarity--body, mind, and spirit. I know what path to take and I feel God's pleasure in it. But then, there are other times when I see nothing, and even feel nothing. (I tend to battle this type of feeling in January and into February.) In this foggy time, is God present or absent?

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God's man Job, shows us how to wrestle with this very thing:

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Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, I do not see him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Job 23:8-10

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Notice Job declares both his feeling, "He is not here" and also the truth, "He is working."

Again, he feels this, "I do not see him" BUT at the same time, he declares this, "He knows the way that I take."

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In other words, he might say, "God, you seem absent, but I know you are present! I will put my hope in you!" And these are the very words my soul declared to the Intentional Artist the other morning underneath his foggy-painted moon.

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So friend, remember this...no matter what you feel and don't feel, see and don't see...

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God is present. God is working. God is refining. And God is good.

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Christmas is upon us, and we're all getting ready for...what? Is there a purpose behind this preparation? Across America, and the world, has Christmas become just another reason to throw a seasonal party?

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I asked this very question to myself as I hung my wreath on my own front door. Why the wreath? Does this circular object have meaning, or is it just "pretty" and "fitting" at Christmas? And along with that, why the greenery and red ribbons that wrap around so many door frames, staircases, and mantles? I love the festive look, but is that it? When I asked these heart-questions, the Lord gently reminded me of a passage of Scripture:

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Each household is to take a lamb...your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old...the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight. Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the doorposts..." Exodus 12:3,5-7

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When my mind settled on these verses, the crimson red ribbons that accompany the evergreen boughs at Christmas became much more than mere traditional decor found on the shelf at Michael's. I suddenly felt a beautiful connection to the Israelites of old. Their Savior is my Savior. I have a Protector over my household as well. He has come, and He lives within. The greenery with red ribbon reminds me to bow my heart in humbled worship.

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Here's another thought: Could the circular wreath we hang on our doors represent God's matchless love that is complete because of the birth, death, and resurrection of His Son? In your mind's eye, trace your finger around a wreath from top, to bottom, to top while reading these all too familiar words:

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For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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He came from heaven to earth to be with us, in order to bring us to heaven to be with him. The wreath proclaims eternal life all because of Immanuel!

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So as the world celebrates, does the world know why? When you look at your wreath and the greenery at your door or on your mantle, celebrate your Savior. May the red ribbon remind you of His crimson blood shed for you and your household! Rejoice! His entry into the world has purchased your entry into heaven. This is what the world needs to know. Yes, may our homes and our hearts and our voices sing together, "Joy to the world, the Lord has come!"

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Instead of going to Clarksville to care for my little grandchildren today, I'm unexpectedly sitting here in the hospital with my mom as she is having a gamut of tests run due to very low hemoglobin.

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Some of you may understand this statement completely: I'm living in the middle.

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On one hand, l'm holding the energetic young, and on the other hand, I'm holding the weary old.

A strong tie of love exists as l'm being stretched.

Both ends have its challenges, and some are strangely similar.

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In this middle-place, what can I give to both other than my obvious physical care?

I know this sounds cliche, but I'm going to say it with sincerity...

I can give both generations Jesus.

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I can sing "Jesus Loves Me" to my grandchildren and I can listen to my Bible app with my mama.

I can introduce "new" Bible stories to the "littles" and I can remind my mom of God's ancient promises.

I can pray blessings into the future and I can say thank you's for the past.

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I'm reminded that It's not just my love that's holding these generations together, it's God's love.

And his love is beautiful, through and through and through.

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Are you in the middle?

Embrace the Sandwich Years.

It's an honor to hold their tender, time-stamped hands.

Give both the young and the old your best love.

Give them Jesus.

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No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12