Liz's Front Porch

Yellow Bows

Yes, I know that Christmas is traditionally red, green, gold, and white. But, since we are a military family, yellow often gets center stage.

All our family heroes are on homeland soil this year and my Marine son will bring his family to Texas for Christmas. Joy of joys.

However, he e-mailed that Chris, his special friend and Marine buddy of 20 years, is deploying to Afghanistan this week. Chris was in Eddy and Julie's wedding and has been on our prayer list a long time. Several years ago, he chose to leave behind enlisted-man life and go for officer training. We were proud when he made it with honors!

So, Chris jumps to the top of our prayer list and he gets a special yellow bow. We forget, sometimes, that we sleep safely and say anything we please because of people like Chris and my son and Bryce and Andy and David. Military personnel are real human beings who lay everything on the line for our country. For you. For me.

Thank you! We've got your back with prayer.

May all the blessings of Christmas be yours.

Liz

26. Christmas Morning - Update

    For those of you who check in now and then, I haven't had courage to change this post. Somehow, reading the names given to our Savior before He was even a twinkle in Mary's eye, gives me joy and peace and comfort. This has been a day when I especially needed His comfort. If you need it also, I hope you find it in His name, the Name above all names. I'll chat with you later. :-) For now, just dwell on the Names of our Lorde:

 

 

 

                     WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

                                                            MIGHTY GOD

                              ETERNAL FATHER

                                                            PRINCE of PEACE

 

 

The people who walk in darkness

Will see a great light;

Those who live in a dark land,

The light will shine on them.

 

Through Jesus Christ, true God and true Man,

Son of the Father, begotten not made,

May YOU walk in Him, the Light of the world,

every day, all year through!

Merry Christmas!

                                                                                   

                                                                                                 Taken from Isaiah 2: 2 & 6 [NAS]

25. Caves and Grandmothers

           Wouldn’t you love to tiptoe into the cave? You know the one… at the end of that busy street in Bethlehem. Look! There’s a young girl curled up on the hay; she’s exhausted from a long ride on a donkey; she’s in labor; birth is about to happen!

        

            I remember the night my only daughter labored—and labored, and labored. I stood by her warm, clean hospital bed all night holding her hand, wiping her brow, reminding her to breathe. Between contractions, I talked about things to bring a smile to her soul as she prepared for the next and harder pain.

 

         The hospital was clean, efficient, and staffed with competent, well-trained, and compassionate doctors and nurses, but the night was long. Then they wheeled my little girl to the delivery room and she was out of my reach; I could do nothing more. Just wait.

As I walked the waiting room floor in 1986, I remember thinking about the first Christmas night and that dark cave. I thought about Mary, so young, so far from home; I thought about her labor and birth pains as she brought forth our King surrounded by cows and sheep and donkeys.

 

             Finally I could see my daughter. I eased into her quiet, clean hospital room early the next day. She said, “Hi Mama. Meet your grandson.”

 

            I picked up the tiny infant, wrapped in a new, clean blanket, and nestled John in my arms. Even with the amazing love I felt, I could not foresee the bond that would develop between this precious grandson and me or the deep joy he would add to my life. But he was already part of me and my tears of joy dropped onto his blue blanket.

 

           Two years later, John’s giggles echoed in my back yard as he played with the water sprinkler. Watching the toddler’s delight, I remember thinking about Mary’s mother and the two years Joseph kept his family in Egypt.

 

      I won’t be so foolish as to add to Scripture, but surely, Mary’s mother wiped away tears of joy when Jesus ran to his grandmother’s arms for the first time!

 

            Thank you, Holy Father, for planning families,

..and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger,

because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7 [NIV]

24. Change but Certain

Being late with my postings has become a habit. I went to the funeral of an old friend today so I hope you'll overlook my lack of pre-planning. Irma would smile and agree with my thoughts on change.......

 

Before Thanksgiving arrived, my frustration level for Christmas planning hit the danger zone. About the time we got the Christmas tree up, I gave up trying, planning, expecting. Totally! Except for a few times when I lapse into expectation or worry, I’ve just let it happen in its own way. To my delight and surprise, Advent and Christmas is proving to be quite special!

During all that time I was NOT planning, I pondered traditions. Although many of the special ones are included again this year, we’ve been flexible and open. As a blended family of only some seven years, each of us has seen our absolute/must-have/can’t-live-without traditions ebb and flow, change and grow, swell and diminish. New meanings have enveloped each tradition in a bright, new sameness.

In my 7^th decade, I’ve surprised myself by eagerly anticipating change.  !!!

Dear Heart and I have learned to adjust to non-schedules and absolute-musts of our 29 adult children, spouses, grands, special others/intendeds, and greats. We’ve worked around sick children, war deployments, vacation cancellations, weddings, final exams, lost baggage, and a changing economy.

Guess what? Jesus was born at exactly the precise time and in the perfect place.

Christmas blessings meet us at the grocery store, at the funeral of an old and faithful friend, in Christmas cards from friends of long ago, through telephone calls from grandkids, and by red flowers Dear Heart brought home… just because.

And always, without ceasing, Christmas Joy—our Savior—meets us in an evergreen cross, a child’s hug, Chrismons on a nine-foot Christmas tree, nativity scenes in unexpected places, voices lifted together in old hymns, weak legs growing stronger, hurt feelings forgiven.

And always, without ceasing, absolutely and always……

 

Jesus Christ IS the same

 yesterday and today, yes and FOREVER.

Hebrews 13:8 [NAS]

                                                                         

 

23. A Child's Wisdom

   

I’m late with today’s post because we got totally involved over the weekend having a wonderful Christmas with some of our kids. Five of them stopped their schedules and battled weekend traffic to share family time with us. Now I’m rearranging my “Memaw Hat” to prepare for other kids who arrive on Christmas Day.

     But, it's wonderful to spread holidays out. I’m positive that grandmothers did NOT invent the idea of taking only ONE day for any holiday that brings kids, grands, and/or greats!

     As Christmas gets closer, I get vision adjustments quite often. For instance:

          My friend had her seven-year-old grandson for the weekend so while lighting the Advent candles she explained, “Christmas Day is Jesus’ birthday.”

          Her youngest pride and joy declared, “Oh, I know THAT, Grannie. And I also know how old Jesus is. He is seven-years-old. Same as me!”

     I clapped my head, “Well, duh!!!” All these years (and they’ve been many!), I never “saw” what Roan already understands.

     Jesus IS the same age as ME. Always has been, always will be.

     Jesus is also eight-years-old with Madeline, thirteen with Christopher, twenty-two with John, AND He is 71 with me!

     Every day, no matter how I am-- today-tomorrow-next year-- Jesus is here in it with me. Up to His elbows and saturated in my here and now.

     Seeing life through the eyes of another enriched my heart.

     After I clean my glasses, I’ll wash the tablecloth and prepare for the next gathering with a happy heart.

     Seeing life through the eyes of another made me wiser.

     Before I start cooking again, I’ll spend a little time just visiting with Jesus. I have an idea He can help me figure out a lot of seventy-year-old stuff!

Merry Christmas, Roan!

At seven-years-old, you explained something beautiful to this old woman!

…Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom….”  From Matthew 18:3 (The Message)

22. Rounding the Bend

Today begins the fourth and last week of Advent. And, guess what? Christmas is like having a baby (J) Both the baby and Christmas arrive, right on time, whether one is ready or not!

         On this wonderful weekend before Christmas Day, the laughter of children fills our house. Dear Heart and I don’t care whether the laughter is from our grown children, our adult grandchildren, or our young great-grandsons. It is music to our ears.

         There is a sweetness to the camaraderie when any combination of our brood gathers and we cherish it.

         Although I can’t explain it specifically, the season of Advent has been different for me this year and like busy mothers of all seasons, I’ll think about them later when there is more time.

       Today, though, my simple prayer is that no matter what these few days before Christmas bring… surprises or disappointments, hectic days and exhausted nights, baking and gifts not finished, headaches, and/or exciting reunions… Jesus Christ will be at the center of all our activities, celebrations, and gatherings.

    As we light the 4^th candle on the Advent Wreath, our joy is full because on Thursday we light the white candle for the Light of the world!

 

… But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people…….

                   Luke 2:10 NASB   

21. In Our Dark Nights

Personal Note: Today's post is late and while it is still Saturday, I am behind. I didn't want to write this one, but it would not go away. I'm praying that each of you will be blessed. Sweetly.

 

 

Chanukah begins at sundown tomorrow night; Sunday, December 21, 2008. While reading up on the heavens, stars, modern calendars and other things created by our Holy Father, I was surprised by this statement in The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

During the darkest days of winter, this eight-day Jewish festival brings families together for gifts, games, and especially the lighting of the Menorah and the memory of a miracle.

          Tomorrow, Sunday, December 21, the Texas hill country will enjoy only ten hours and twelve minutes of daylight. Maybe less, depending on clouds.

              And way up in the frozen northeast, our friend Mary sings and shivers. Depending on snow storms, she has only nine hours of daytime to shovel snow off her porch, get to worship, tell stories to the children at church, stop by to check on little Molly, and make it home before Medina goes dark. The sun sets in upstate New York at 4:45 in the afternoon.

         While pondering dark days and short days and winter cold, I learned that my friend will resume chemo in January. Then an e-mail came from another friend struggling as a new widower. Sadness enveloped me. Life is hard. And dark. And cold.

Yet we celebrate. On dark days like this, I asked, “Why?”

           There was no answer so I picked up my research. When the sons of Judas Maccabeus retook the Holy Temple in ancient days, there was only enough consecrated oil to relight the candelabra for one day, yet, miraculously, it remained lit for eight days.

Dark days of winter. No oil for the lamps.

         Dark days of our lives. No light for our souls.

         Jesus, brought up by earthly Jewish parents, observed the ancient customs that gave glory to His Father. Traditions like the Feast of Dedication. Or the Miracle of Lights. Those celebrations prepared Jesus for His own dark days to follow. Even His chosen disciples slept while He begged to hear His Father’s comfort. He sweat blood while he lingered in His earthly dark night.

        My friends are in a dark night. But…. Jesus, the Messiah, did come. He was born into our world. He walked this road of life; this road full of dark nights.

 

             We HAVE Light in our world. Enough for all our days.

             We KNOW that Jesus is real and He lives here and now.

We try to comfort one another as best we can. And The Comforter comforts us.

          Tomorrow will come and days will grow longer. We will walk to the cross, many times in many ways. But, spring will come again. It will bring new life and Easter Morning!

            As we toss and turn, roll around in pain and grief, the Light from the one Candle shines through our darkness. Easter morning is on the way.

We must remember.

We must find courage to light three candles this week.

The Savior is coming!

 

And, in His own dark night, Jesus Himself promised:

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.. He abides with you and will be in you.. I will NOT leave you as orphans. Taken from John 14:16-18

 

19. A Sacrifice of Praise

I’ve often pondered what Paul meant when he said to offer God a sacrifice of Praise. One of my friends with a deep, loving heart for our Heavenly Father, suggested an explanation in a quick e-mail this morning.

Yesterday was over-run with medical appointments, finishing the Christmas cards that are late getting into the mail, phone calls back and forth with various kids about their plans or non-plans for coming to the farm before/during/after Christmas, and checking all the lists. Several times. When dinner was done, Dear Heart and I called a Time Out and went for a drive to see Christmas lights around town. Just the two of us. Just because our old German town sparkles and glows when it dons its Christmas spirit.

This year, away from Main Street, neighborhoods do not sparkle. Christmas lights are few and far between. Homes that once lit up entire neighborhoods are dark.

I came home in tears.

Our town forgot to dress up for Christmas.

And then I worked too late last night and my heart was too sad and my mind was too full of worry to post to you before I dropped into bed.

This morning, I whined to my friend about the state of mind of our town. Sally suggested, “… maybe this is what the Bible means by “a sacrifice of praise,”…. Praising when you feel like crying.”

She didn’t know I asked God on Monday what that scripture meant.

Does our town want to cry? Do I? Is my heart “in it,” this season? Am I doing my part? Yes, I know full well that the stock market is awful and money is short. Crime is up and jobs are down. I know many families are fractured if not split. I know the news is full of doom and gloom. I know how some churches are struggling.

BUT.

Let us NOT forget.

We know the One who is in charge. I will dwell on Him. I will offer Him my thanksgiving for the amazing things He has done. I will pray for my town, for those who hurt and are afraid.

 

I WILL go forth with a heart of gratitude that Jesus was born and that He WILL come again.

Thank you, Sally, for reminding me. Thank you, Father, for answering my question through my friend and for accepting my praise.

 

I will set aside my worry and fear and sadness and lift my heart in thanksgiving. I hope you will go forth with me!

The Messiah came. Jesus lives and reigns.

 

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. Hebrews 13:15 (NLT)

I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good. Psalm 54:6 (NLT)

 

18. My Priorities. His Forgiveness.

 Hours  tick by. Days march on. Christmas draws near.

              Another crisis has been handled.

        I remember when a crisis involved a whole family, feelings, children… you know, important stuff!

        Like the year neighbors solved a major crisis for my busy household by rushing over after the kids were in bed (finally!) with wrapped gifts for the new foster children. The homeless brother and sister arrived at suppertime one evening and the next morning at exactly school time, eight-year-old Buddy threw a temper tantrum. His “dumb ole case worker” had stuck him with people who didn’t care about kids with nobody to care. Only a few days until Christmas, our “new kids” arrived to find a warm home, delicious food (if I do say so myself!!), and a tree gleaming in the corner surrounded with packages labeled for all the existing children in the household.

 

             Nobody told us newcomers would stand at our door at bedtime!

           Now THAT was a crisis. Immediately, neighbors, family, and miscellaneous folks from our church rushed into action and saved Christmas for Buddy and his sister.

          But, I digress. That’s another whole Advent story. Maybe at Easter I’ll tell you about the day when new adoptive parents drove off with our precious Buddy and his little sister.

           This year, Christmas ticked along on schedule in our mature, adult, grown-up household. Why, even the grandkids are surviving quite well out in the world on their own. My ridiculous little crisis had nothing to do with children or want or cold.

No. Just new-fangled cyberspace stuff set off my alarm.

                   Suddenly, between the year’s brightest full moon last Friday and the beginning of the third week of Advent on Sunday (the week of joy) my blog disappeared!

Long story short, attempting savvy cyber stuff, I clicked ‘draft’ when I should have clicked … well some other important button. Wham! My whole blog went into hiding and all those amazing and beautiful words waiting to spew forth from my mind evaporated into oblivion.

               After 48 hours (long ones, please note!) Typepad came to the rescue and I’ve tucked into my belt yet another nugget of cyber wisdom. When I understand it, I’ll let you know!

Yeah, so guess what!! The real lesson became my priorities. My “stuff.” My importance. My…. My…. Me… Me….

 

          The magi traveled, it is said, over two years just to have a personal relationship with the Creator’s promised heir.

           Tonight, in shivering cold temps in our Texas hill country, we came in from the porch to have our prayer time by the fireplace. While I love being with you, we’ll have to chat later because MY priorities got all messed up. I need to rush to my Father’s arms.

I pray you find solace in His forgiving grace and care anytime you need it!

May the Blessings of Christmas surround you.        

             

           

             Liz

…..  and remember: the word of the week is: JOY !!

 

                                    And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us…

                                                       [and] grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ

From John 1: 14 & 17 (NAS)

 

17. ADVENT IS BACK !!

 Welll………….

                    Of course Advent didn’t go away. My blog just disappeared for 48 hours.

The blog is BACK! And I’m grateful to Typepad.

Turns out I had done a minor thing that clitched it. I’m not surprised, but I didn’t know so I couldn’t fix it but I’ve learned and all is again well on the porch.

Uh – hurry up and get in by the fire! It is COLD outside, even in Texas~! Brrrrr.

I’ll get back to regular posting tonight.

In the meantime:

thank you, Typepad, for helping

AND, thank you, Dear Faithful Readers, who contacted me

Hugs, love, and keep enjoying Christmas!

         Liz