December 5, 2019

Happy Thursday. Today, I'm on my way to meet my sister and enjoy a couple of hours with her. We are praying that before too much longer we will get to live in the same town and these little times together won’t have to be so rare. Yesterday, I stubbed my toe and it has turned black and it’s not comfortable to walk. Sissy said just buddy tape it to another toe because no silly old toe is going to ruin our shopping trip! 


But isn’t it crazy how one toe CAN ruin a day for you? A toe is seemingly such an unimportant, inconspicuous part of your body until you run into your stepping machine when you’re still half asleep! Then, it’s all you can think about. Doesn’t it make you think of the tiny baby Jesús, such an inconspicuous Savior, and then once we encounter Him, He’s all we can think about? I love that song by Rascal Flatts speaking from Joseph’s point of view, “Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say, but this is such a strange way to save the world.” I think I like it so much because I can relate to it so well. 


Do you wonder why Joseph was attracted to Mary? What made him notice her above all the other girls? God had to have Joseph pickle out for her because He had to get her to Bethlehem. Do you ever wonder how on earth Caesar Augustus just happened to have the brilliant idea that everyone should go to his own town to be counted? At the perfect time that Mary would be ready to deliver the Christ child? And God set this in motion hundreds of years (if not millions) before because it had been prophesied in scripture where the Messiah would be born (Micah 5). 


“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world….And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:1, 3-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬


Sometimes, when we feel like we are a speck on this pale blue dot called earth in this gigantic universe, we can feel pretty insignificant—even more so than a toe! But the truth is, it is very clear in scripture that God maneuvers the giants of this world as well as the tiny and insignificant folks just like us and he cares about the small and mundane things of our tiny lives. We have great cause to sing joy because all the kings and their horses and the chancellors and the presidents and their cabinets of the world are at the mercies of our God, whether they like it or know it or not. Our God reigns. 


Father thank you for being in control and for caring about each and every one of us. We love the fact that Jesus was born in poverty and was never considered wealthy or powerful on this earth. You showed us what you considered to be important. More that all, we pray that you would help us to be conformed to the image of His image. Teach us Lord and lead us in the way that would best serve your pleasure and would transform us. Show us those around us to whom we need to speak words of life and show us those to whom we need to show acts of service. You are a great God and we worship you Father. We pray Lord that we would use this season of Advent to search our hearts and minds to draw closer to you. Help us to love as you love and may the hope we have for tomorrow change the way we live this day. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear one, 

Pam


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