Last year our whole family spent three days in Leavenworth, Washington. It was so beautiful and reminded me of all our fun times spent in Switzerland.
On Christmas Eve, we all went to a tiny, old church for a Christmas Eve service. We didn't know anybody...but it was such a special evening singing old Christmas hymns and Christmas carols.
Before bed that night we read a devotional and I have saved it all year long to share with you.
I am not sure why it brought tears to my eyes, but for some reason it answered a very simple question I have thought about for years and years and years. Not that God always allows us to have our earthy questions answered, but at the time...when I seemed to be questioning God in so many areas in my life, I was reminded that things that seem "terrible" to us may be God's way of protecting us in so many other ways. I want to be able to remember to see life through eyes of faith. Better yet, truly trusting God for HIS amazing grace every.single.day.
"As a young girl in the late 1920's, Grace Ditmanson Adams often traveled with her missionary parents through inland China. Later, she wrote about those trips and the crowded places where they stayed overnight-village inns full of people coughing, sneezing, and smoking, while babies cried and children complained. Her family put their bedrolls on board-covered trestles in a large room with everyone else.
One snowy night, they arrived at an inn to find it packed full. The inn-keeper expressed his regret, then paused and said, 'Follow me.' He led them to a side room used to store straw and farm equipment. There they slept in a quiet place of their own. After that, whenever Grace read that Mary 'brought forth her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn'{Luke 2:7}, she saw the event differently. While some described the innkeeper as an example of uncaring, sinful mankind who rejected the Savior, Grace said, 'I truly believe that Almighty God used the innkeeper as the arranger for a healthier place than a crowded inn- a place of privacy."
Through eyes of faith, we see God's provision for Mary. Look for the ways HE provides for you." David McCasland...Our Daily Bread, December 24, 2009
"THOSE WHO LET GOD PROVIDE WILL BE SATISFIED"
Merry Christmas from the Pearson Home to Yours...
I *heart* that perspective! I always looked at the innkeeper as a kind man, helping out Mary & Joseph because she was with child. Happy Christmas, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! I hope you had a blessed Christmas and wishing you a Happy New Year!!!
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