Reaching into Jesus' childhood

Christmas has come and gone in a flash like it always does. It was a sweet and full Christmas for our family! I will do another post on all the fun we had soon. (When I have a chance to upload pictures.) For today, I wanted to share a little of what the Lord has been showing me the last week or two as I tried to read the story of Jesus' birth with a fresh spirit and really focus in on the details. Two years ago I was able to really personalize Jesus' birth and relate with Mary as I was six months pregnant with our sweet little boy. But this year, I have found myself relating to Mary in a new way. As Cohen approaches two and his independence and will grow stronger each day, I'm challenged to seek the Lord's wisdom on discipline and protection, physically and spiritually! He is so fun, but definitely has his moments of testing the boundaries and mischief. About a year ago is when I began to realize Cohen and I's relationship had to change a little as I began to introduce discipline. No longer was I able to just love and provide for him. As he began to exercise his little will at just 9 or 10 months, I was faced with the reality that discipline and correction were necessary. This was kinda sad as I realized I couldn't just hold, cuddle and feed him anymore. He needed me to teach him what "no" means and that he was under Hector and I's authority. This was an element of our relationship I wasn't excited to introduce, but knew it was for his best! Well, discipline and training has taken on different forms as he has grown over the last year, and he has really done well. Consistency has been key! I just pray this continues as he turns two in just a couple months.

O.K. so back to Mary and the story of Jesus' birth. I carefully read those familiar verses of the angel's announcement to Mary and then to Joseph of the son they would soon have and then raise and those following which tell of their trip to Bethlehem and Jesus' humble birth in a stable. But what really began to strike me is the missing information that would follow Jesus' dedication and circumcision. We know such detail in where he was born and even the prophecies given about him 8 days later in the temple. And then we are left with, "The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him." (Luke 2:41) What? That's all we get? As a mom, I wonder what those years following looked like for Joseph, Mary and Jesus. We don't know anything else until he is 12 years old and they make their annual trip to Jerusalem for Passover. So, I began thinking about Jesus in those early years and Mary as a first-time mom and realized she must have had it pretty easy!! Yes, Jesus was fully human as he was fully God, a mystery I don't claim to understand, so I'm sure he cried when he was hungry, tired, had a dirty diaper or an aching tummy. I'm sure Mary learned his cries as all of us moms do with time and loved caring for and meeting his needs as a baby. But as he approached toddler hood and the time when we begin to see signs of our children's sin nature, what was that like for Jesus? Surely he didn't look at Mary when she told him not to touch something and touch it anyway or throw a fit in anger when he wasn't able to have another cracker. Scripture tells us, he was "tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus was perfect and he had no part of the sin nature that was born into each of us. Often I have thought of this truth as He was faced with temptation as a teenager or adult, but not until this year did I realize it must have been evident even at 2, 3 and 4.

Therefore, I began to realize he and Mary must have had such a special relationship. She may have had to teach him what was acceptable and what was not, but he must have ALWAYS been obedient. Right? Was there ever need for discipline? Did Mary ever have to introduce that element into their relationship? Not that discipline or even moments of frustration with Cohen make me love him any less, but it definitely adds a new dimension to our relationship and a challenge to me as a mom. But for Mary, she must have always had immediate obedience, honor and respect from Jesus...even as a toddler. I can't imagine how close they must have been and the joy Jesus must have brought to her! As he grew, they must have had such special moments together. Yes, he was the Son of God, but God had entrusted Jesus to Mary and Joseph to care for, love and train him in those early years. What an incredible task, but what joy it must have been!

We see only a few verses later, when Mary and Joseph are headed back to Nazareth from celebrating Passover in Jerusalem, and they can't find Jesus. Can you imagine the fear in Mary and Joseph and the confusion? Jesus wouldn't have been the pre-teen that disappeared very often. He must have honored his parents so well and they probably rarely worried about him. But, here they are searching for THREE DAYS and find him in the temple. Mary is obviously hurt and shocked that Jesus could have done this. "Son, why have you treated us this way?" she asks in verse 48. Jesus responds with, "Why is it that you were looking for me? Did you to know that I had to be in My Father's house?" (v.49) It seems like this must have been a turning point in Mary and Joseph's relationship with Jesus. Scripture then says they didn't understand what he said, but surely they must have had to say to themselves..."oh yeah, He's not ours first, he is the Lord's son!" (Side note: Isn't that what we, as moms and dads, should remind ourselves of daily concerning our children?) He was sent to earth for a specific purpose, and he was beginning to pursue that calling. Their role in his life would come to an end. But I love what Luke includes in the following verses. "And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them and His mother treasured all these things in her heart." (v. 51) What incredible evidence of the child Jesus was! He had every right to remain in the temple, but he was honoring his parents and the time had not yet come for him to depart from their household or their authority. I feel like this must have been a wake-up call for Mary and a reminder of Jesus' high calling. I love that Luke gave us this glimpse into their relationship!

So, in reflecting on all this and gaining a better idea of what Jesus' childhood might have looked like I also realized this tight, loving, and honoring relationship between Him and his parents must have made his death so difficult. They knew He had a special calling on His life, but they were still the parents God chose for Him. They spent all those early years loving, caring for, providing for and protecting him. But as he left their home and began his ministry, did they know it would end in a brutal death on a cross? Mark 15:40-41 tells us that Mary was there the day he died, watching from a distance. I can't even fathom watching my son die, much less be crucified in such an undignified way. I love how the movie, "The Passion of Christ," depicts Mary during the crucifixion. It shows flashbacks of Jesus growing up. And surely, all that must have been going on in her head. She must have been remembering all the wonderful years she spent nurturing Him and the bond they developed. What pain, confusion and heartache she must have felt that day! So, as a mom I have found myself again relating to and seeing Mary in a new light. What an incredible woman she must have been and what an incredible calling she had on her life. Although God has not entrusted me with the Savior of the world, He has entrusted me with a precious little boy who He has great plans for. I pray I am found faithful as Cohen's mom and a good steward of the gift and responsibility God has given me in him! What an incredible task before me and any parent!

*Disclaimer: These thoughts and reflections are straight from my heart and mind. I have not thoroughly researched my ideas. So, please do your own searching before accepting them as truth. This is strictly what I believe God was showing me this Christmas season as I dove into the story of Jesus' birth and childhood.

Sweet times

I'm not sure how well I am doing at slowing down. It seems like we haven't had a free night in weeks. But, we have had some awesome opportunities to spend time with people we haven't been able to in a while. Last weekend we had the XL band over for dinner and games. It was a chance for them to be together outside a practice or service and for us to bless them with a free dinner. Hector is so blessed to have a team of people serving with him that are dedicated, talented and that he enjoys being with. We made mini pumpkin bread loaves and candy for them as a little gift. It was actually lots of fun making the candy. Hector may not know it yet, but it might be a new tradition. I got a few pictures of our candy making adventure, but totally forgot to take the camera out while everyone was here. I was bummed! We ate dinner and played some games. It was a great night to get to know them and their families better and just enjoy some adult fellowship.

This week has been busy with finishing up Christmas shopping and Hector preparing for the XL Christmas concert this weekend. Monday we left Cohen with my parents and went to Chattanooga for a day of shopping. I'm SO blessed to have a husband who enjoys shopping. I actually am not a shopper, but when we have to shop, he is such a trooper and probably enjoys it more than me. I think the stressful part for me is just making decisions. I'm always afraid I'm going to find something better or a lower price at another store. I struggle spending money...especially so much in one day. But, we got a lot done and were thankful for the chance to do it without Cohen, considering the freezing cold temperatures and mass amount of stores we needed to run in and out of. We also enjoyed just having the day together.

Yesterday, I took an unexpected trip to Birmingham to the eye doctor. I called about the slightly blurry vision I had noticed in the last week, and he wanted me to come in. Although in no way convenient, I knew I needed to make the trip. So, Hector and Cohen stayed home and I braved the sleet and ice to make my appointment. I would have much rather been home with my family, but the car ride over did make for some sweet time with Jesus. There is just something freeing about being alone in a car listening to worship music. I can trade in the Veggie Tales Toddler Tunes for Bethany Dillon and sing as loud as I want without worrying about knowing every word or if I'm exactly on key. Or I can just sit quietly and let the words of songs I've heard hundreds of times minister to my heart. (By the way, Bethany Dillon just has a unique talent to put MY heart into words! Love her!)

Well, I made good time getting there but waited about 2 1/2 hours to see the doctor. When I finally got to see him, he said there was a little inflammation but not enough to worry about or cause me to increase my medication. Instead, I will use my steroid eye drop more often in hopes of getting rid of that remaining inflammation and continue decreasing my oral steroids. This was good news for me because I was fearful he would want to increase the oral steroids or tell me I needed to begin another medication. However, I'm still battling some discouragement as I think about what will happen next week when I decrease them again. Still praying hard!! I'm starting to feel a difference lately also. My face seems less swollen, and I'm sleeping better. I'm just really ready to feel like myself again. Well, after spending about 3 hours at the doctor's office, I headed home just before rush hour but just in time to get caught in STAND STILL traffic behind a wreck. The weather was awful, and the bridges were frozen. I sat hungry and tired for another 2 HOURS on the interstate watching the time tick away. Eventually we started to move, and I made it to my exit. However, the back roads were awful, and I had to drive about 30 mph to keep my car from sliding off the road the rest of the way home. It was rather frightening. When I finally got home (at 11 p.m.) after 5 hours of traveling and most of it spent intensely focused and tightly gripping the steering wheel, I had an incredible headache. Despite it all, it was so sweet to come home to my wonderful husband, clean and sweetly decorated house, sleeping baby, and a warm bed. I think Cohen and Daddy had a good day despite some moments of cabin fever. I have so much to be thankful for, and if that's the worst of my days for a while, I'm doing pretty good.

Well, like I said, I haven't physically slowed down much, but I have tried each day to refocus my thoughts on Christ and praise Him for his many blessings in my life! I guess I'm trying to savor the busyness of this season and cherish the quiet moments when they come.

To God be the Glory

I just wanted to take a minute to brag on God and give a quick update on my eye. I decreased my steroids to 12.5 mg. two days ago, and so far my body seems to be handling it just fine. I have not had any soreness or redness since the decrease. This is a direct answer to prayer! I will remain on this dosage for two more weeks and then decrease to 10 mg. I have been told that 10 mg. is the "safest" dosage to be on. However, it was also at 10mg. that my symptoms began to resurface when I tried to come off the steroids last time. We are continuing to pray for healing and that the inflammation does not return. I just wanted to give God all the glory for our victory thus far. He is the Great Physician and we believe He can heal me completely if He chooses. As I continue to walk this journey and look to Him for comfort, wisdom and guidance, I wanted to pause and brag on His power that He is displaying in my life. We are also praying for complete restoration of my eyesight. At this point it is really close to what it was aside from some haziness and blurry spots which may be due to the steroid drops I am still using twice a day. Thank you for praying with us!

"My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." -Phil. 4:19-20

Prayer Requests

I have added a Prayer Requests page. I will try to keep this updated regularly with things you can join with us in prayer about. We covet your prayers and thank you for traveling life with us in this special and powerful way!

Slowing down

It's only December 5th and I feel so behind on Christmas! I'm not sure if it's that I am or that the Christmas season starts earlier and earlier every year. We still don't have our tree, (which is rare for us), our house is decorated inside but not outside, no presents are wrapped and there are still several to buy, our Christmas cards are not sent, and Hector still has some traveling to do. But, it's only the 5th...I still have plenty of time right? I guess I just feel so behind since so many people trashed their pumpkins and scarecrows for red and white lights, wreaths and blow-up snowmen the day after Thanksgiving. Not to mention Christmas trees have been for sale for weeks. Well, in the rush to get things done, I am realizing part of the joy of the season is in the preparation. If we take time to slow down and enjoy putting up lights, decorating the tree and shopping for gifts, it sure makes Christmas last longer. And that seems to be what everyone is going for these days. If we rush through the preparation, we get to Christmas day and it's all over so fast.

This has also made me think about why we struggle so much to focus on the Lord during this season. We are so bogged down by the list of tangible things to be done that we don't slow down until we have checked them all off, and often that isn't until Christmas day. This leaves us one day to take a breath and try to shift our focus from the gifts and the planning to Christ. (And often, Christmas day is packed with family gatherings and cooking that we find ourselves at the end of the day trying to savor the last few hours of Christmas.) I guess the challenge to myself this year is to find time each day to refocus my heart on the Lord and His birth; to slow down in my attempt to get everything done that's expected of me and savor the sweet moments of this Christmas. IE: my little boy's first time to really experience Christmas and his fascination with "nomain" (snowman) and "tees" (Christmas trees).

I want Cohen to grow up loving Christmas like I always have, but I struggle with how we will keep Jesus at the center. Christmas has changed so much since the first celebration of Jesus' birth that I just don't know how you get back to the heart of the reason we celebrate. We talk about the "spirit of Christmas." But, what does our world know of that? We have taken Christmas from the humble manger and turned it into a "warm & cozy" celebration for ourselves filled with lots of food, presents and lights. How disappointing this must be to the Lord. Giving is en vogue during December, but didn't Jesus teach that we should always put others before ourselves and give generously all year long? So, how do I explain to C one day the"giving spirit" of December in a nation and culture that has rejected God? The incredible gift God gave us in Jesus coming as a baby is that He was called "Immanuel, God with us." He walked this earth, lived life, and was "tempted in every way, just as we are." (Heb. 4:15) And then he chose to give His life as a pure, acceptable sacrifice for our sins so we might have the opportunity to have a relationship with Him. What a magnificent plan! I pray C grows up knowing that truth and the magnitude of the manger! I pray we find ways to point him to Christ during Christmas instead of getting caught up in the "stuff" of the season. I welcome anyone's ideas on how to reconcile this because it sure seems overwhelming and sometimes impossible. This year, I'm slowing down and trying to let myself enjoy all the events that lead up to Christmas day. I'm looking for opportunities to love on people and remain in an attitude of thanksgiving for the gift God gave us in a tiny baby boy so many year ago. Thanks for bearing with my conflicting thoughts! I pray you and your family find a new way to refocus your hearts this year!

A new start

Well, after spending hours trying to make our previous blog more personal and having little success, I decided to switch blog providers. So, here we are...a new blog. I'm website stupid, so navigating and updating our Wordpress blog was just too complicated. I'm also hoping this new start will encourage me to write more often. For those who don't know, I was a journalism major at Samford and love writing. I miss it and would love this to be a regular outlet for me to write. No promises, but I'm hoping to be much more consistent. As for privacy, I'm going to try to leave this open to the public and pray we don't have any issues like before which made me make it private. Hope this finds you enjoying the Christmas season! Welcome to our new blog!