One Child Has Changed The World

Well, Christmas has come and gone and had this been five years ago, I would've dreaded this day. I used to think, "If I just cherish October and November, I won't get sad about Christmas ending because I will be ready to move on to January." Silly, right? I know for myself, I will come up with ways psychologically to find comfort in different situations. For example, if I'm running (something I dread because it's hard and I don't enjoy it), I will say, "Ok, I'll run at least three miles and if I'm feeling okay, I'll run more" or "I will run to that tree and then that pole and that crack in the sidewalk". For whatever reason, these little thoughts help me get through each situation...or do they?

The day before Christmas Eve, I needed to buy three fresh crabs from Costco. My roommate and my sister and I were going to arrive at Costco right when it opened. However, unbeknownst to all of us, Costco opened 30 minutes earlier than usual. The parking lot quickly filled up as we looked for a space and as I made my way to the crab kiosk, there was a line of 20-30 people. I made my way into the line and my sister and roommate kept giving me updates of the crab count. My roommate started to settle with the idea of buying live crab from a different location because the Costco employees said that this was the end of the crab until after Christmas. My sister and I were a bit more hopeful and we each silently prayed for a "crab miracle"-I dubbed it the Christmas Miracle. As silly as this may sound, God provided three crabs while pickin's were very slim.

My mom taught us (my brothers and sisters) to pray in any situation. When I'm working out, I pray. When I teach, I pray. When I start my day, I pray. When I'm looking for a parking space at Costco, I pray. When I see a car accident or someone I feel sorry for, I pray. Praying has been ingrained in me. I know that with God, anything is possible and He wants us to depend on Him-even for the slightest thing. If we can't depend on Him for the small stuff, how will we look to Him for the big stuff?

Over the years, it has become easier to handle let-downs because I've found comfort in God-not in my psychological silliness. I always hated New Year's because it represented starting over and vacation coming to a close. I've come to realize that I treasured the celebration of Christmas and all of the fun that accompanied it rather than the arrival of Jesus. Even though I focused on the true meaning of Christmas, I didn't always treat it as the Ultimate gift. I treated Christmas as a season when in reality, Jesus is our Hope for a lifetime. Yes, vacation and all the Christmas cheer is great but it's not lasting. The glory of the Lord never fades and that should be my comfort.

As a single woman, I've gotten lost in the loneliness of not having someone at Christmas and New Year's Eve. If I dwell on it, I can become quite despondent about the fact that another year has passed and I'm still not married. As I wrote that sentence, I imagined Eeyore* voicing it. Yet, God has been faithful in working in my heart to alleviate that loneliness. He has changed my focus. He has taught me that these holidays are simply days of celebration, but ultimately, our joy is found in Him. The birth of Christ wasn't meant for a one-day heart change-that seed from Bethlehem, Ephrathah was to change the universe and the heart of man forever! How can you NOT rejoice over that?! One child can indeed change the world---who knew that Mariah Carey would come to this conclusion too?
One child can change the world
Christmas Morn’
The King of all kings was born
He reigns forevermore
Let us worship and adore
Christ the Lord**

As my focus has changed over the years, I've realized that denial of self is key but not in the Buddhist-discipline-sort-of-way. Denying myself daily means that I am to pick up my cross and follow Him-His ways. When I focus on others, I can encourage effectively and bring God glory rather than get caught up in my own problems.

Instead of having the typical New Year's resolution of eating less, working out more, reading more, etc., I want to encourage you to find ways to encourage those around you more. Even though single people would love to have more encouragement from others, it is also the job of single people to do the same. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to walk alongside each other and exhort one another to follow Christ. Each time I post on this blog, I pray for guidance from the Lord so that I will not only be real and honest about my plight as a single person, but I pray that someone will be encouraged.

Just because the holiday is over-the celebration of a Savior is never over. The celebration of Jesus' birth and resurrection and anticipation of His second coming should be our impetus to worship, bring Him glory and live for Him each day!

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days-Micah 5:2

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin-Hebrews 3:13

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works-Hebrews 10:24

Let brotherly love continue-Hebrews 13:1

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing-I Thessalonians 5:11

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:8-11


And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints-Ephesians 6:18


‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you-Jeremiah 32:17


For nothing will be impossible with God-Luke 1:37

*Eeyore (i/ˈiːɔr/ ee-or) is a character in the Winnie-the-Pooh books by A. A. Milne. He is generally characterized as a pessimistic, gloomy, depressed, anhedonic, old grey stuffed donkey who is a friend of the title character, Winnie-the-Pooh. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eeyore)

**"One Child http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=K8UqwqdB18M

The Season of Perpetual Hope

December is such a crazy month and it's easy to lose focus on why we do what we do. For me, many of my expectations aren't met and I can get discouraged with the let-down that comes with it. And I'm not referring to the lack of a husband during Christmas (although for singles, holidays can be really tough) but to the disappointments and set-backs of the Christmas season.

Growing up, we used to (still do) watch "Home Alone" and there's this scene where Kevin's mom is trying to get home to her son who's been left alone. As she attempts to buy a ticket for a booked flight, she blasts the airline employee and explains that Christmas is the season of perpetual hope and that there should be a way for her to fly home.

How odd that this actually hits home for me in that when my expectations aren't met, I can sometimes become downtrodden about it. One of my favorite things at Christmas is to buy gifts for people. I LOVE it. It's fun to be able to find an excuse to be generous. Well, this month and last month, I've found that I've been flat broke. And while it is mind-boggling, I also know that I made big purchases this fall, I paid more than what was required on my bills and I tithed generously. Even though, I've pretty much finished the bulk of my Christmas shopping, I was saddened that I was broke. I was bummed that I couldn't buy more for others and be free with my money. I found myself weepy about it and beseeched the Lord as to why my paycheck practically disappeared almost as quickly as it came. As I sank into a temporary depression, I started to think about the fact that I've been paying into a house that has no equity at this time. As I poured my heart out to the Lord, I was reminded of three things: 1) I've paid all of my bills on time and even "over"-paid them 2) My home is not of this world. My treasures and equity are in heaven and that God promises to take care of my needs-not my wants (which would include equity in my home). 3) Did I allow my circumstances to dictate my joy?

The other set-back for me this month was that I was sick all week. Every day, I left work early so that I could go home and rest. I had so many expectations-pack (for the December 30 move into a house with my roommate), work out, get ready for Christmas, get ready for the Christmas program, enjoy the Christmas evenings, cook, etc. I was so disappointed to be sick and by the third day, I was becoming thoroughly annoyed. I so wanted to enjoy life during this time of year and be of "good cheer", but that clearly didn't happen. I began to realize that instead of succumbing to anger about being sick for "so long", I realized that I'm a baby. People with cancer are perpetually sick and they'd give anything to have what I had for five days. I realized that I needed a reality check with the Lord. I was doing the very thing I hate-I was complaining and not having much thanksgiving and yet, the Lord calls us to be thankful in EVERY circumstances. Did I just let my circumstance dictate my joy?

I realize that giving gifts, being healthy,vacation,visiting family,decorating your house, going to parties, caroling, etc. are not bad in and of themselves, but they can be a huge diversion from celebrating the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Jesus. I guess I can get caught up in the throes of it all and am sorely disappointed when sickness or other issues prevent me from enjoying those fun things during this time of year. I'm a sucker for doing just what Satan desires of me-hey, as long as I'm focused on the things of this world and not on Jesus, I'm doing great.

When I start to focus on the things of this world, I must, must go to the Word and remind myself of my ultimate purpose here on earth: to bring Him glory and enjoy Him forever. It is Jesus I must worship-nothing else. Our expectations are self-made and if we're going to become discouraged when they're not met, then what does that say about the state of our hearts? My joy must be found in my Savior-not my circumstances.

Although December is crazy because of the hustle and bustle, it is not a season of perpetual hope. Hopefully, the life of a Christian reflects that perpetual hope EVERYDAY-not for a season.


Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and ruste destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also-Matthew 6:19-21

Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist-Proverbs 23:4

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap-Luke 21:34

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord-Luke 2:11

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior-Habakkuk 3:17-18

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels-Isaiah 61:10