Filling My Cup

I talked yesterday about how my cup was empty at the start of the year. I knew I needed to make some changes in 2019, but I wasn’t sure what they were. I took the step to stop and rest, but I knew there needed to be more than that. I needed my cup refilled.

2019 wasn’t the best year for my relationship with Jesus. It’s a fair assessment to say that we weren’t on great speaking terms for a good chunk of the year. I was less than thrilled with the way my life was looking at 36. I spent a good amount of time talking AT God, but not listening to see if He had anything to say in return. Naturally that didn’t work out great in a lot of different ways. I knew the only way to change that was to spend time alone - in His word, and choose to quiet my thoughts to listen for His voice. It wasn’t an easy process and it’s still tempting to talk at Him, but the time I have spent with Him has definitely filled my cup. Listening to His voice, being in communication with God helps greatly in walking the road that is before me.

The second way my cup was filled this year was by some very special people. This year I was blessed to meet, work beside, and start building relationships with some incredible educators. This group of people are all in and what some would consider “over the top” in education. Let me tell you - THEY ARE MY PEOPLE!!! They gave me the courage to try my “crazy” ideas out in the classroom. They let me bounce ideas off of them, answered a questions when I had them, and encouraged me to keep trying even when things didn’t go as planned. They reminded me that being the wild card for the kids is what matters. They helped me see that there will always be people who think you’re too much, newsflash - those are not your people! I didn’t meet them in a religious context, but so many of them are believers and their love of Jesus is present in all they do. The more I got to know them, the more of their faith I could see. God knew I needed to meet them this year. I was headed towards teacher burnout, but they helped to refuel the fire. It filled my cup to be surrounded by these passionate people and I look forward to continuing to build these relationships.

There are a number of other things I did this year to fill my cup, but those are the two standouts. I am so grateful not to have an empty cup right now. So friends, how do you refill your cup? When is the last time you made sure to do those things. Make it a point to do something today to fill you cup.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

An Empty Cup

“You cannot pour from an empty cup.”

I’m not sure who to give credit to, but that saying was ringing true in my life this time last year. I was empty. I knew that I wasn’t doing my best at my job. I wasn’t teaching at church to my full potential. Family and friendships were subpar.

I was badly in need of rest, but it doesn’t come easy to me. I have always felt like I need to work harder and longer than many would think is necessary. That if I’m not going full force, I’m not doing my best. I’d managed to run long and hard before I realized I was running well below empty. I knew that something had to change because I literally couldn’t keep doing it. So, despite it going against my natural instinct I pulled back.

First at church. I had taught at least one bible class every year for the last 10 years. I had never taken a break and I hadn’t attended a class as a student in over 5 years. It was time to stop teaching and start being taught for a season. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to decide to do. I loved the ladies I had taught, but I knew I wasn’t doing them any good in the state I was in. While that decision was tough, it was the right one. I entered a season of rest and it has does wonders for my soul.

The second thing I knew I needed rest from was my job. I am currently in year 15 as a teacher and while most would say teachers have summers off, I literally have never stopped for the last 15 years. I have always worked in my room, took classes, organized, planned and prepped through the summer. However, this summer looked different. I decided to do an experiment. I wanted to spend the first 7 days without thinking or working on anything school related. To be honest that first week was kinda painful. I had to search to find a new balance where my focus wasn’t on school. But I let one week turn into two, and then two to three, and before I realized it there was only one week of summer left. I didn’t do anything special really, but the rest was amazing.

That was one of the major things I learned this year - the importance of rest. I do not help anyone by being burned out. I don’t serve well when my cup is empty and my attitude is not great.

All throughout scripture it highlights the importance of rest. From keeping the Sabbath holy, to being restored when we turn our burdens over, to going to a quiet place to be alone with God. In this slowing down I didn’t lose anything - I gained so much.

I still fall heavy on the work side on occasion, but I’m getting better at it. I’ve been realizing that resting allows me to be better in my service and my work. I’m hopeful that 2020 will be a good blend of both.

How’s your cup? Full? Empty? Remember friends…

“You cannot pour from an empty cup.”

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

The Time In Between

We are now in that weird in between time. When it’s after Christmas, but before New Years’s. All the days kinda blend together. You’re resting, catching up with other family and friends, and if you’re like the masses, you’re also spending some time reflecting.

I’ll admit that this is when I start thinking over the year, of what really happened in my life in 2019. A year is a short amount of time in the grand scheme of things, but it’s also long in other respects. Like most people my year has been filled with ups and downs, laughter and tears, and lessons learned.

Over the next couple of days I’ll be sharing some of those lessons I’ve learned this year. I’m positive as I take the time to really reflect a few more will come into view as well.

I’m going to encourage you to spend a little bit of time thinking over the past year, for the next four days or so. I always find that I’ve forgotten things that took place until I slow down enough to focus. Try to remember the big and small things that happened the last 360 days. And then if you’re up for it, ask God to show you His view of it all. I’m always amazed at what I overlooked. I’m amazed at how God moves in my life and how easy it is for me to have missed it.

As we close out 2019 take the time to reflect. With grateful hearts, let’s look to see what God has done in our lives this year before we look towards the next.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

The Day After Christmas

“Happy day after Christmas and merry rest of the year.

Even when Christmas is over, the Light of the World is still here”.

~ Matthew West

If you haven’t figured it out already Matthew West is clearly one of my favorite artist. I love a lot of his songs but this one is a favorite. Take a listen…

I hope your Christmas was lovely. I hope that you were surrounded by friends, family, and were filled with love. I’m sure some of you had a picture perfect Christmas, and others not so much. I’m positive some of you are sad that Christmas is over and others of you are so thankful to have the day behind you.

Whichever camp you find yourself in, I pray this song brings you the hope and encouragement it does to me every day after Christmas, since I first heard it long ago. It’s a beautiful reminder of what Christmas is really suppose to be about, but also that it doesn’t end because the day has past. Jesus is still here today, as He will be tomorrow and the next.

So, when today or any day for that matter starts to look a little dark and less merry remember the Light of the World is still here. And that friends, is something to be joyful about.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

A Heavenly Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve! I can only imagine the excitement that is running through some of your houses today. The children bouncing with excitement of what tomorrow holds. I’m hoping that you might have searched the skies tonight in hopes of catching a glimpse of flying reindeer too.

Christmas Eve might be my favorite night of the year. You could say that it runs in the family. My Noni loved Christmas Eve. She would open all of her presents that night. I can remember having to wrap each item in her stocking because she loved opening presents so much. My mother also loved Christmas Eve. I think she loved it more than Christmas morning. She was always so excited all day long. From the last minute baking and wrapping, to candle light service, to watching White Christmas before drifting off to sleep.

Tonight is always full of so much joy and also a little sorrow. It’s probably the day I miss my mom the most. It’s also the day that I’m most thankful that I know that I’ll get to see her again. Don’t get me wrong there isn’t much that I wouldn’t give to have her here this Christmas, but there is so much peace in knowing she’s in heaven. That this Christmas she’s actually celebrating with Jesus.

If you’re missing someone this Christmas I’m praying that you find comfort in God’s love and with the knowledge you’ll see them again one day. Until then, cherish the memories and choose to find joy in the moment.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Christmas Faith

Merry Christmas Eve Eve! The day is almost here! The excitement, the anticipation, the moment we have been looking forward to is so close.

I’m guessing that we both had very similar days today. We both ran errands and tried to finish up all the items on our todo list, so that we weren’t totally rushed tomorrow. We did this in hopes that we could actually enjoy both Christmas Eve and Christmas. How’s it going for you? I’m exhausted.

Now as I sat down for the night and allowed myself to become still, I started to think about that familiar Christmas story once again. Pictured up above is what is displayed directly across from my couch. It’s definitely the focal point of the room. I was sitting, kinda staring at it, and was wondering what Mary would have felt like on what would have been the first Christmas Eve Eve. I wonder if she knew it was almost time. I wonder if she was concerned about where they were going to be when the baby came. I wonder if Joseph was stressing about the same thing and maybe also replaying the dream he had had with the angel to reassure himself God had planned all of this. I wonder what their faith must have been like through it all.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

That scripture verse came to mind while I was thinking about all of those things. They both had so much faith in the unseen. They had the confidence that God was blessing them in a remarkable way. While I’m sure they had their moments of doubt, after all they were human, their testimony truly is remarkable.

I know who I put my faith in. I believe what He says is true. I know my faith doesn’t make sense to a nonbeliever - to put my faith in someone I cannot see. If I’m honest sometimes my faith doesn’t make sense to me either. I suppose that is part of the beauty though. That true faith requires you to let go of the “logical” human wisdom and trust in the “supernatural” power of God.

I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating, that I’m striving to be as faithful to the life God has called me to lead, as Mary and Joseph were in this one act of obedience. It’s a tall order to fill and I’m sure I’ll fail more times then I succeed, but I’m hoping that I’ll always try again.

May we be encouraged that God’s plan for our lives far surpasses our expectations and that faith in Him is never in vain.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Music

Music was a big part of my life for about 20 years. I took all kinds of instruments lessons. I played in several different bands at school and was in choir. My best friends growing up were band geeks, though in a school as small as ours, many of them were also all-star athletes. I’m not sure I could tell/describe high school or college without some kind of music being involved.

As time went on I pursued other interests and music took a back burner. I would still sing or play on occasion, but nothing like before. And eventually music wasn’t something I did any more. I would listen to the radio and sing on Sundays, but that was about it.

This year a friend of mine invited me to the theater and to symphony on several occasions. As I was sitting there I realized how much I missed it. I missed performing, but I also missed attending events.

Tonight I attended another symphony event and it was amazing. I decided while sitting there that in 2020 I want to go to more events and maybe participate again in making music. It’s a love and a gift that the Lord gave me that I’ve forgotten about. It’s something I haven’t allowed myself to enjoy in far too long.

I know we are celebrating Christmas in two days and the time for end of the year reflect comes after that, but I’m starting to wonder what else I’ve forgotten? What other things have I put away that God might be calling me to take back out? It’s something for me to think about and something for you too.

I’ll leave you with another Christmas song this Sunday. It doesn’t tie in with todays blog itself, but the spirit of the Christmas season. Consider it my prayer for you this Christmas.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Family Christmas

Some days are pretty great. Today was one of those days. The house was filled with lovely noises and smells. There was a lot of great food and conversations. We played some games and I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time.

I know my grandparents and my mom would have loved today. My mom especially - she was a people person. Sometimes I forget how much I love my family - how blessed I really am. I want to make more of an effort in the coming year to see them. I also want to remember today when I hit a rough patch and feel lonely.

Days like today remind me that God is awesome at bringing people together. Whether it’s blood family or a found family - He desires for us to be in relationship with each other and with him. We weren’t meant to walk through this world on our own.

I pray that you have a family that you can view as a blessing here on Earth, blood or found. I pray that we remember that we are blessed in ways we often take for granted. Look for those blessing today friends. I have a feeling there are more than we think.

To Everything There Is A Season…..

Kiley Ann

Traditions

Today I spent the day with my sister - and for a little while with one of uncles and my dad too. But really I was with my sister. It’s one day a year I can count on us being together. The day before family Christmas that we host. It’s the day we spend in the kitchen working on recipes that Grandma used to make. The cooking takes most of the day to make this one particular dish - Babalki.

This is a traditional Slovak Christmas Eve dish. Grandma would only make it this one time of year. If I had to pick a single dish that tasted like Christmas to me, it would be babalki.

For those of you who have not had the pleasure to eat babalki allow me to explain what it is. This dish is made of homemade dough balls, fried sauerkraut, and Kelbosi. I promise it tastes amazing!

As we spent the day making the dough and preparing the other dishes, we chatted and reminisced about Grandma. We recalled how she went from the one making it, to supervising, to watching a movie in the other room and only entering the kitchen if we called in a panic. We talked about how she would kneed the dough by hand and how we decided a mixer would be a good choice this year.

It’s nice to talk about the past in a way that isn’t sad. It’s nice, really nice to laugh, talk, and cook the day away. There is a part of me that wishes this happened more than once a year. Yet, I know part of what makes it so special is that it only happens once a year.

Tomorrow I’ll spend the day with my extended family. There will clearly be food, lots of conversations, and hopefully no drama. There will be some family that I haven’t talked to since last year and you can be sure the kids - yes that’s still me and my cousins, will likely play some games.

I think my Grandma would be happy to know we all get together. I like to think that she would be kinda proud of my sister and I carrying on the babalki tradition. I’m glad that we spent the time with her when we were young because when we make the food, it’s like she’s still with us in the kitchen.

I hope that this Christmas you have at least one tradition that lets you remember the past with a smile on your face.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Christmas Obedience

I don’t have anything profound to say. I don’t even really know what to write about. I’m greatly tempted to simply close the computer and just call it a night. I’m tempted to be like , “18 days is good enough. You were shooting for a month, but 18 is still awesome. God’s good with that too. Never mind, that he was the one that placed the 30 days on your heart.”.

The truth of the matter is I’m not sure what I hope this blog will be. I’m not sure how God is/will use it. I don’t know if i’m just writing for myself or if there is an audience that needs to hear the words I have to offer. I just know I want to be obedient to what God is asking me to do. I want to act on the dream that’s been in my heart for a long time, the one I’ve always let satan talk me out of really pursuing.

So, that is what this post is - me simply being obedient. This is me choosing to listen to God’s quiet whisper over satan’s obnoxiously, loud counterargument . It wasn’t easy and this post certainly isn’t pretty, but it’s honest. I hope that I continue to choose to be honest with you, with God, and with myself.

May you hear God’s quiet whispers and gently leadings over the noises of the season.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

An Unexpected Gift

Did you ever have one of those days when you think, “I’m glad I have it all planned out today? I just need to make it to quitting time and then I can get all the things done I need to.”? Everything is going good and then BAM! something unexpected comes up. Now everything is up in the air.

That happened to me today. An unexpected snow squall completely changed my plans and I learned a valuable lesson. Had I not been working on seeing Christmas like a child and looking towards Jesus like I have been these past 17 days, I would have completely fallen into the, 'complaining- but wearing a fake smile’ mentality today. I would have been tempted to commiserate with coworkers and be more Grinch like.

Instead, today I made the best of it. I laughed, I played, and I made some awesome memories. A lot of life really is how you look at it. Living a life of faith definitely colors my view. Today I got to experience childlike joy, it’s been a long time since that has happened. I cannot recommend it enough.

I hope that you are able to take the next interruption you face and view it as an unexpected gift. I pray that you take some time this season to laugh, play, and find the beauty in it all.

To Everything There Is A Season …

Kiley Ann

Christmas Love

Christmas love can mean many things, to many people. You might think of love shared as a family, with your partner, or with the strangers you meet. Christmas love might come in the form of gifts, time, or maybe even as tasty treats.

I’ll be honest that I often have trouble looking past the idea of Christmas love being something other than romantic in nature. I’m sure my steady diet of Hallmark movies and sappy novels don’t do much to change my perspective. The thought of having someone to share the holidays with is always on my mind as the season begins. I’m also foolishly hopeful, to think that although there is no one special in my life currently, somehow Christmas magic will bring us together by the time Christmas Eve comes to pass.

It’s a weird balance, between being hopeful that this year will be the year and trying to be content with disappointment when I’m still alone in the new year.

I wish that I could say I don’t shed tears over this longing. I wish I could tell you I am content giving my love away. I wish I could tell you I finally, truly felt like God is enough. Knowing something is true and feeling it in your heart are two very different things. I think that’s why I often focus on giving the love I have stored away. It doesn’t take away the longing I have in my heart really, but it is nice to see other people receive some amount of joy from that choice.

All of that to say, as I’ve written before I really am working on viewing this Christmas differently. That I’m trying to remain focused on the real reason for the season. The true love of Christmas.

For God so loved the world…

John 3:16a

That’s the kind of Christmas love I need to focus on. The real kind of love that started it all - A father loving the world enough to send his son to save us all.

Whatever kind of love you are experiencing or hope to experience, may you keep the true love of Christmas in the front of your heart.

If you happen to find yourself in a season of longing like I am, take heart that this season won’t last forever. It might not have the ending we are hoping for, but nevertheless it will come to an end. And remember that God has good things in store for those who love Him. He knows what He’s doing - of that I’m sure of.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Bringing Joy

It’s crunch time people. Christmas is only 9 days away! There are still so many things to do, to bake, to buy, to wrap!! I have found that around this time my view of the season starts to get tested. I either continue to proclaim how much I love Christmas like Buddy the Elf or I start understanding why the Grinch didn’t love Christmas on a whole new level. Are you with me on this?

Since I know this about myself I was more mindful today about my interactions with others. I will fully admit I thought to myself, numerous times today, “Don’t be a Grinch! Don’t squash their joy!”. It was a choice I had to make every time something started to veer towards pushing my buttons.

I think Buddy the Elf was onto something when he said, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”. He not only embraced all the craziness, he shared it. He shared joy. So today I tried to do just that, I embraced it. I watched others be joyful and I joined in.

I don’t know if it always sounded beautiful, but it was certainly a joyful noise.

So go make a joyful noise today friends. I promise you’ll end up bringing some joy to yourself in the process.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

My Christmas Light

From trees, to houses, to metal sculptures, they all can be seen covered in lights this time of year. While some are a little tacky, the overall effect is quite breathtaking. Millions, probably billions of tiny little bulbs are lit all over the world this Christmas season. Little lights twinkling, that bring smiles and joy to so many. They make the darkness seem less scary. For this season they add to the magic and wonder of it all.

Two weeks ago I talked about Christmas lights and Jesus being the light of the world. I talked about how his light was the one that leads us through darkness. Today I had a different thought when looking at all the twinkling lights.

Yes, I thought about Jesus being the light of the world, but also how we are called to be light for others.

***

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14 - 16

***

I started to think about how each believer is like a one of those twinkling lights I love so much. I thought about how each one of us has the power to share beautiful light or darkness with the world. I started to think about how my light was shining. Is it out for others to see? Is it bright? Dim? Has it burnt out?

How’s your light doing?

As you drive by the beautiful lights of the season may you be reminded of Jesus, the true light of the world, but also how we are called to be light to others. Imagine how beautiful it would look if all believers were shining brightly for him, pointing others toward Jesus.

Today, I’ll leave you with another song I love by Third Day. I’ll be praying that this week is filled with joy, love, and a whole lot of light.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Wisdom from Wisemen

I figured I would round out this week of looking at the Christmas story by talking about the wisemen. The wisemen appear in almost every nativity you see, there are always three of them, and they are always at the manger with the shepherds and angels. To be honest the first time someone explained to me how the wisemen weren’t there and that there weren’t just three of them, I thought surely they must be wrong.

I’ve heard the story my entire life and I was in my late twenties when I was being told that. I naturally investigated myself and was shocked to see that they were correct. I still don’t understand why the wisemen needed to be lumped into the nativity scene, why we couldn’t have just left them out and talked about them after Christmas, but that’s not the focus of today messages. Let’s take a look at their scripture.

***

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. in coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Matthew 2: 1 - 12

***

While I have banished the wisemen from being inside the stable, (see picture above) I do feel like their story has a lot of wisdom to offer. I kinda love that when they show up, they show up at the palace. I like to imagine how King Herod tried to mask his alarm upon hearing why they were there.

I think it’s quite telling that the wisemen didn’t go to a little no nothing town to find the King of the Jews, but to the palace. I think that lets us know they expected him be like all the other kings before him.

When I think about the wisemen I think their actions to come and worship someone they have never met shows us how great God is. How much he deserves to be worshiped and also how important it is to check our assumptions about who we think he is. They expected to find him in a palace, we expect a lot from Jesus too. We have no reason to believe that the wisemen were Jewish believers, yet they sought Jesus out. They traveled a great distance to worship him, to bring him gifts.

Friends we know who Jesus is. We know who he grew up to be and the sacrifice he made for us. We know that he loves and forgives us more than we can understand. And yet …

When was the last time we sought him out like the wisemen?

When was the last time we offered sincere gifts to our King?

They say, Wisemen still seek him.

May your heart be filled with a desire to seek him and to follow his leading, today and always.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Christmas Visitors

Shepherds. Shepherds get to hear about and be the first people, aside from Jesus’ earthly parents, to meet the Savior of the world. Not kings, not powerful leaders, not high priests, but shepherds. They were humble, lowly people, who would not have been highly regarded by people in power, yet God chose to let them know first.

***

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2: 15 - 20

***

I’m sure over the years I’ve heard pastors teach about the shepherds. I’m certain that I’ve heard the interpretation that God chose to appear to them first because they were ordinary people, lowly people. That by appearing to them first it was a way to show how Jesus was for everyone, and not your typical king. I’ve heard it taught that he chose them because they would be obedient messangers to spread the word of Jesus’ arrival. However, when I was reading over this section of scripture a different thought came to mind.

If you knew me personally, you’d know I’m a big reader. I’ve almost always got a book that I’m currently in the middle of and I’m earner to offer book recommendations to people in need. I give you that as context for how my brain connected what I’m about to share. I have no biblical commentary to back it up, just how my reader brain thought today.

As I was siting there thinking over this scripture and how the shepherds might have felt, the verse below came to mind.

"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

John 10:11

And I thought; “What if the angels telling the Shepherds first about Jesus’ birth was a subtle nod/foreshadowing to when Jesus called himself the good shepherd!?!” I mean I had never thought about that before, or connected the two in any way. Today the connection I saw between the two filled me with all kinds of questions and a little wonder too.

I’ve got that list of questions tucked away for now (I’ve got some research to do). So, let’s focus on the big important picture - Jesus really is our good shepherd and he cares for us more than we can grasp. He loves us deeply and he longs for us to be in his fold.

Friends as we head into the weekend may we go hurriedly toward Jesus, just as the shepherds did.

And may we also choose to spread the word about Jesus with all we encounter.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

In A Dream..

Yesterday we looked at Mary’s reaction to the news. The amazing faith she displayed to accept and understand what God was calling her to do, gave me pause to think over my reactions to God’s leading. Today we a take a look at Joseph’s reaction to the news. Now, if this was a modern movie we would expect a lot of turmoil - yelling, fighting, bashing the other on social media. However, Joseph’s response isn’t any of those things. Take a look.

***

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”).

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Matthew 1: 18 - 25

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Joseph doesn’t get much page time in the New Testament. However, we do get a little glimpse of the type of person he is in verse 19. We learn he is a faithful jewish man, one who doesn’t merely listen to the law but follows it. We also can infer that he deeply loved Mary. The law would call for Mary to be stoned, but Joseph didn’t want that for her. He was going to go about a quiet divorce, one that would hopefully spare Mary her life.

I cannot imagine the range of emotions Joseph must have felt upon finding out Mary was pregnant. I know at times we find the story of the virgin birth hard to believe, but imagine being Joseph. Imagine trying to understand Mary when she was explaining everything. I don’t think it’s hard to believe that Joseph struggled with this foreign idea. The hurt, the angry, the disappoint of watching all you thought your life was going to be disappear before your eyes.

Scripture doesn’t tell us how long after finding out Mary was pregnant that he decided to divorce her, but we do know once he had decided that he got a visit from an angel in his dreams. That angel spoke to all of Joseph’s concerns, his doubts. And just like Mary, Joseph was obedient to God’s plan.

I’m not sure what my thoughts were about Mary and Joseph before this reread. I think I may have simply thought of them as characters in a story. Characters that I forgot showed so much faith.

Their faith, their trust, their obedience - I can and yet cannot wrap my mind around it. I’m going to have to sit with this for bit. I’ll get back to you when I have a fully formed thought. Until then, I’ll just be amazed…

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Christmas Question

When I thought about taking a fresh look at the Christmas story I wanted to look at more than Luke chapter two. The verses we always hear on Christmas Eve. I wanted to see how Mary and Joseph found out they were going to be the parents of the Son of God. So that’s where we start today as we try to get our wonder back and friends as you read the scripture below, it’s chalked full of wonder, promise.

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In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,  and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.  Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.  For no word from God will ever fail.”

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 1: 26 - 38

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I’m hoping that we all can agree that whether the angel appeared as describe in scripture or as depicted in Renaissance paintings, it would be an unsettling encounter. I mean imagine, you’re just going about your normal everyday actives and then BAM! - there’s and angel talking to you.

And the conversation isn’t just a simple one either, but one explaining how you are going to give birth to God’s son! I mean come on!!!

We get to know very little about Mary’s reaction to all of this. We know she must have appeared scared since Gaberial told her to “Fear Not”, but as for what she was feeling as Gaberial was telling her what was to happened we have no idea.

I don’t know about you, but if it were me I would have so many questions about all of this. I mean Mary asked a good starter question. You always want to the logistics - but what about everything else. Some great follow up questions might have been: “How do I tell Joseph or my parents?”, “What do I do about the townspeople judgement?”, “How do you raise the Son of God?”, “Why me?”.

But Mary doesn’t ask any of those things. She listens to Gaberial explaining how it is going to happen and then says, so seemly simply, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your words to me be fulfilled.”

Wow!

Mary’s faith must have been so strong. Strong enough not to worry about all the trials she would face with raising God’s son. Strong enough to care more about being a servant to God than to herself. Mary’s response gives us all something to think about. It certainly makes we think about my responses to God’s requests in my life. I hope one day I might emulate Mary’s faith. That when God asks me to do something for him I would respond the way Mary did, “I am the Lor'd’s servant. May your words to me be fulfilled.”

In twelve verses Mary’s life was forever changed. And God was able to use her obedience to change ours. She had no idea the lasting impact her obedience would have and in all honesty neither do we. We don’t know how our obedience to God’s plan will impact the future, but I suppose that’s were faith comes in and a wee bit wonder.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Christmas Candy

One of my fondest Christmas memories growing up was making Christmas candy with my mom. Chocolate covered peanut and raisin clusters. Chocolate covered pretzel rods and Oreos - tiny, little holly mint leaves. There was so much chocolate. It would take us hours over the course of the month to make all the chocolate for Christmas and to give away as gifts.

Sometimes we would listen to Christmas music or watch a movie to pass the hours. But often we would just chat as we made the candy. We would chat about family, friends, and all the little life things. Looking back it was one of the best things of the season.

It was always a big choice to decide to make the candy - it was no small undertaking, it was on top of all the cookies my sister, mom and I would make. And eventually a Christmas came that I didn’t make the candy. I don’t know if the last time I made the candy was the first Christmas after my mom died, but I feel like it was. Mostly because I wanted that Christmas to feel like she was still with us, and I worked hard to try to achieve that. But I don’t think I’ve made it since, a good seven years.

That is, until two Sundays ago. I was on my way home after church and thought - I think I’d like to make Christmas candy this year. So I got the ingredients and proceeded to spend the afternoon making some of the candy in my childhood home.

Ofcourse it wasn’t the same without my mom, but there were some sweet memories that flashed though my mind while making them. Memories that I has forgotten about and to remember them was a true blessing. A blessing I wasn’t expecting, but am so very grateful for.

I’m going to encourage you to think back over your Christmases and see if there is something that you haven’t done in a long time. Try to do it this year, see what sweet memories might play through your mind. And if you happen to be blessed enough to remember some you’ve forgotten about, make sure to thank the one who blessed you with that extra special Christmas gift. He really does love us so much.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Just Rest...

We are six days into December and I’m already so very tired. My heart is full with all the joy I’ve gotten to witness this week. All the smiles, the laughs, the generosity - have been a true delight. While my heart may be full, this girl is real tired.

That leaves me with a choice to make. I could sit here for a extended period of time and push out a longer blog. I can hear myself starting to say it must be this perfect thing that I can offer to God. There were a lot of “I’s” in that sentence and that’s a good indication I’m about to miss the mark. So instead of giving into that self-centered desire, I’m going to choose option number two.

I’m going to close up my laptop, spend some more time with Jesus and go to bed. I’m going to rest so that tomorrow I can be his hands and feet. So that tomorrow I’m ready to serve.

Friends don’t be afraid to step back from the busy world when you need to and just rest in His arms. It’s one of the best places in the world.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann