Chapter 24 - I Do Not Leave You As Orphans

The last chapter! 

Merry Christmas!

Jesus didn't stay as he was and continue to walk the earth. He left miraculously and mysteriously, but with only his small group of disciples as onlookers to his ascension into heaven. 
He left them with his words, he made clear their mission, and he promised to equip them in this task. 
But we do have a last glimpse of Mary, kneeling with the Eleven, with the women, and with her sons who now believed. (150) 
Ten days later, while they were gathered in one place, the sound of a violent wind filled the house. Tongues of fire split apart and rested on each of them. God the Holy Spirit had arrived, and the disciples would never be the same. (150)
The author goes on to remind us that God has not left us either and equips us through his Word and Sacraments. She does a beautiful job describing who the Holy Spirit is, what he does for us and the means through which he works. 
So where is God when we need him? He is clothing us with his Holy Spirit and his power. He is ruling on our behalf, bringing blessing from evil. And he is with us, always - as close as his words in the Bible, as near as his home in our own hearts. (152)

I've learned so much through this special look at the Mary, the mother of Jesus! This will be a book I will continue to look at for years to come! I am so grateful for the author, the timing of the release of the book, and the spiritual blessings it has brought to me! I am grateful to have shared this with my readers, my fellow sisters-in-Christ and mothers in the trenches of life! Thank you:)

Ponder
Your child asks, "Where is God? I can't see him!" How will you answer?
In our family, we like to celebrate Ascension. It falls midweek, and when Easter is later so is Ascension. I like when that happens because then it's easier to be outside on that special day! 

We usually have a picnic. Being outside, with the big sky and clouds overhead helps all ages to imagine what that must have been like. But we don't just keep staring up at the sky like the disciples did until their reverie was broken by the words of the angels. We read the Word of God where he promises us that he'll be there. We recall the words he spoke to those disciples that were still wondering what they were supposed to do now. We are reminded of what he wants us to do today! 

Contemplating their Ascension thoughts:)

Ascension dessert - strawberries on a cloud

One year we each let a balloon go as we prayed for Him to equip us! 

Jesus will come back again! 

Chapter 23 - He is Risen Indeed!

Last year's blog book club was on the book "Behold, I am Coming Soon". One of my favourite parts was imaging the other side of the heavens and the angels singing their triumphant song of Jesus' victory and resurrection! It gives me chills ...

Mary does seem to be strangely absent from the events mentioned here. We can imagine how she must have felt, what she must have gone through, what she was doing. But I guess we'll have to wait until heaven to ask her to really know! I guess if God thought we needed to know before that, he'd have included it here:)

I enjoyed the way the author brought together these different parts of Scripture that were all written about these first appearances of Jesus to his followers and disciples. 

Jesus stayed on the earth for forty days following his resurrection. In that time, he appeared to hundreds of people and he continued preaching. He made sure that it wasn't just a few select people that saw him. He didn't just appear to his disciples and tell them to spread the word. He wanted to be seen by many people and to have numerous witnesses so that not only would they be reassured of his resurrection, but that we would be assured of his resurrection. 

I agree with the author on her application to us on this topic of doubt. Her given examples go far beyond just doubting if he really rose again. I could relate personally to a few of these examples she gave! I too prepare a guest room for Doubt and allow it to settle in with all it's bad habits. (143)

God has certainly provided more than enough evidence to "douse our doubt". His words transform me too, resurrecting my faith and drawing a hallelujah from my lips. (144)

The sword that had pierced her soul left a crack through which light now poured in - the light of comprehension and joy and peace. (145) Beautiful words!!! 

Mothering Like Mary

Kim is another Mom I appreciate hearing from. She has the experience of parenting young adults during that tricky transition time between still being at home and gaining independence on the cusp of making their own families and big decisions! 

I have to say, I wish the author hadn't quoted the Josh McDowell statement at the beginning of this section or for that matter - at all. It really threw me off. It made me confused what she had meant by "doubting" up till this point and confused me as to what Kim was going to say then. So I'm ignoring it for now and I'll come back to the statement in the Ponder section. 

I absolutely agree that we should encourage our kids to ask questions, be in church regularly and even attend a weekly Bible study if possible. When you consider that most kids in public school/university are getting 6 or 7 hours a day steeped in the muck and mire of our world, they need a place they can count on to hold that muck up to the light of truth and see it for what it really is. 

I think overall, our synod does a great job at doing what it can to educate our young people for the world. Confirmation class comes strategically before the start of high school where many will be in a public system of schooling that is not just Godless but hostile to God. I know that my husband takes this opportunity to discuss the evolution/creation debate along with a serious study of Luther's Catechism which is meant to show the why our church teaches what it does based on Scripture. 

But we can't make these kids keep coming to church and Bible class in the years that follow. Too many of them disappear from the pews or never start attending a Bible study where they can continue to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God. This is so unfortunate as they are in a crucial time of life where they are being exposed to so much in the world that they need to learn to critically think and ask questions. They need to know how to defend their faith. They need to be mentored by those in their church that have been there and done that. And if you want my personal opinion - I'm not convinced even a youth Bible class is the best option - I think they need to be with the adults and glean their wisdom. 

I don't see this so much as a "questioning of faith" or "doubting Christianity" as the phrases the author uses here. I do like the phrases "critically thinking" and "maturity of faith". Which takes me into the Ponder section. 

Ponder

Agree or disagree: "If our kids never struggle with their faith, they will have borrowed convictions." I'm going to go ahead and include the rest of that quote that came before that. "I always prayed for the day that my kids would doubt Christianity because everybody must personalize their faith." (145) I'll be honest and just say I don't know a lot about the Christian apologist, Josh McDowell, but I know enough to understand where he's coming from with this. He comes from a bent of Christianity that is of the belief that a person must (should?) sow their wild oats and then come back and make their decision for Christ after having some time to "explore".  Having that understanding of the quote, I completely disagree. If we are setting our kids up to stray or leave their faith at some point, I can't see that as being good. Faith doesn't come by doubting or struggling - it comes by the Holy Spirit through his Word. 

I talked to my pastor husband about this, by the way. I really was struggling with this and was looking for some clarity.

He pointed out that we don't all have the same gifts of the Spirit just like we don't all have the same weaknesses. Some people do have doubt as their weakness. Absolutely. That could be the way the devil tries to pry them away from the faith. But not everybody has that weakness. Not to worry though - there are others to be had! The devil will use whatever weakness he can find in each of us to weaken our bond to Jesus. So who are we to pray for our kids to have a weakness they may not even be prone to? Shouldn't we pray for strength in the weaknesses they actually have? 

I do, however, want to encourage my children to critically think, ask questions and grow in their maturity of faith which I understand as different from what this quote is suggesting, based on what I know of the theology of the where the quote comes from. 

Even the part of the quote "personalizing their faith" makes me cringe. Another way I would read this is "making it their own". That doesn't sound so bad, but where is the focus? On me. On them. Where's Jesus? 

Finally, please don't misunderstand me as saying a real Christian should never struggle with their faith. I've already said I can relate to some of the applications she mentions in this chapter. When understood in that way, we all struggle in some way. We all doubt - and God has dispelled that doubt with proof of his resurrection and triumph over the grave! Also, I personally have grown in wisdom and understanding by comparing what other people believe to what I've been taught to believe. I've not been threatened by this, but rather they've been opportunities to dig deeper into my Bible and search for answers that solidify what I already believed! The stinker of it is when these opportunities arise and someone chooses not to dig deeper into God's Word, not to ask their pastor or parents, and not to attend church and Bible study regularly. Then they're not hearing truth and run the risk of their doubt drowning their faith. Please, Lord, may this not happen to us or our children!!

Chapter 22 - Hear Him Cry

Well, she got me. 

Jesus suffered and died for my sins. And yeah, I could probably use another look at it through the eyes of Mary to appreciate it in a different light. 

Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world

Again, I love how the author incorporates her knowledge of Israel's temple rituals and sacrifices that gives the reader a deeper understanding. I can close my eyes and imagine the smells and the smoke. I can hear the choir sing the psalm. I can see Jesus fulfilling the purpose of why they were doing what they were doing.
Love was what was happening on the cross outside of Jerusalem - love for a world of sinners who had been made a promise at the dawn of time. (129)
I once again consider what it meant that Jesus did all that he did. 
When God looked at Jesus on the cross, he didn't see his beloved Son. He saw sin piled upon sin, guilt piled up on guilt, a stinking refuse of wrongdoing accumulated from the beginning to the end of time. And so God turned his back on his Son and unleashed hell. (130)
And I am overwhelmed.

My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?

Even as he was abandoned by his Father, even as he paid for a crime he didn't commit, Jesus still clung to God with perfect trust and still loved him with all his heart, soul and mind: "Though I cannot even call you Father, yet you are my God!" (130)
Through a mother's eyes. Who can imagine?

I am thirsty

Such a basic necessity but nevertheless, one that this mother could not provide. But now her son, the source of the living water of eternal life, was thirsty, and Mary could no help. 
*would he have had a fever or been sick during his earthly life? This struck me and I wonder ... Still, the point is still there.

It is finished

Jesus' work of salvation is complete: there is not one good deed we can add to it. Jesus has fully paid our debt: there is not one nickel we can offer. The world's refuse of sin has been carried from God's sight: there is no a single damning spot of guilt over which we need to beg, "Out! Out!" When God looks at us now, he doesn't see sin upon sin, guilt upon guilt. He sees his perfect Son. (132)

Father, into your hands I commit my spirit

What comfort in the face of death are offered here on these pages. Our eternity is sure and our place there is certain. We also have real comfort to give to our children when it's time to talk with them about death. We don't have to make this stuff up in order for them to feel better! The truth of what Jesus has done makes us feel better! 

Signs and wonders

All meant to teach us an important lesson - that Christ has triumphed over the grave! We, too will rise again! 

Mothering like Mary

While passing through my Facebook feed yesterday, there was a letter someone had "liked". It was a goodbye letter from a dying woman to her friends and loved ones. It was witty and humorous despite the serious nature. It was honest. But my heart broke for her and the husband and daughter she left behind. Not just because she was dying but because she was dying without the assurance of Jesus as her Saviour. She pleaded with her friends not to fill her daughter's mind with images of her "looking down on them" or as an angel. She especially didn't want them telling her that mommy was in heaven. Then her daughter would think she left purposely to be someplace better. And in her mind, there was no other place better than on this earth with her family. In her mind, there was no heaven anyway. 
I am so thankful that Lisa was willing and able to share her story before passing away. May God continue to be with the family she's left behind temporarily. May they be comforted knowing she is in a better place with Jesus. They will see her again in heaven! 

Ponder
Are you ever tempted to find the cross of Jesus boring? Is your child? What's the solution? First of all, yes - and I am ashamed. I am also repentant and lay my sins of apathy at the cross of Jesus. I look to him to strengthen me in my faith and help me see it with fresh eyes and new appreciation! As far as a solution or ideas for helping a child -There are many things in our worship life that remain constant for good reason - our liturgy, the church year, celebrations, etc. But I also like to bring in different ways to try to keep it new in the way I present the information. Maybe I'll use a new Bible story book with pictures, a new Advent or Lenten devotional, a new song to learn and memorize. I'll add some colouring pages, a game, a new curriculum. Usually if I'm craving a change, they are too! 

*if you know a woman with cancer, contact the Comforter Ministry - A mission of comfort and compassion, reaching out to women with cancer with God's Word and the love of the Comforter through journals and quilts. 

Chapter 21 - Dear Woman, Here is Your Son

Imagining this scene brings tears to my eyes! As much as he was suffering there on the cross, Jesus was well aware of the suffering his mother was enduring. It's hard to even imagine that he would be aware of his surroundings, so great was his anguish. But he was. And he provided for his mother. 

...he chooses to use the hands of Christians to do his will on earth. (124)

To serve the needs of others is extending the hand of God. To receive help from our neighbour is God providing for our needs. 

Mothering Like Mary

Even before we started coming to church as a family, we taught our kids the importance of being good, loving people and helping others when we can. But now we are able to make a connection about why we want to serve others and who helps us do that. (127)
That's a great point that Darlene makes! The world around us does good things too so what makes our good works so different? Christians are expressing their faith in thankfulness for what God has done for them. The Holy Spirit equips us to do this! 

Ponder
Who has been "Jesus' hands" for you? Take a moment and thank God for them. I remember when my husband and I went to China for 2 weeks to adopt our daughter. We left our son, who was 6 at the time, at home with my parents who had come to stay with him. We were so grateful to them knowing that he was in good hands when we were so far away!
I also remember a friend calling me up before we left. She told me that she had been up that night praying to God about how she might be a blessing to someone and she thought of us. She offered to take Will to swimming class and gym class (our kids were in these same classes together) in order to give my parents a break while watching him. Since we homeschooled, there was no down time for them that they would otherwise have had if he had gone to traditional school. I was so moved by her thoughtfulness! She would send me emails in China telling me the funny things Will said and kept me up to date on what was going on in class. I'm pretty sure my parents were thankful also to get a little bit of peace and quiet during this time! 
When we got back from our trip, I was exhausted! Taking care of a baby and dealing with some major jet lag really threw me off my game. I had thought I could pull off a baptism open house and make everything to serve (with help from my mom). But thankfully, the congregation took over and there was a special banner made just for Hosanna, a beautiful flower arrangement and enough food made for a potluck that I didn't have to make a thing! We felt so loved - not just by our members, friends and family - but by God himself, who sent all these special people to help encourage us through a challenging time. 

Chapter 20 - Today You Will Be With Me In Paradise

The clear message of justification can be found in this account of the thief on the cross. Gospel = Good news! No ifs, ands or buts. Just Jesus. 

What a miracle that the thief is brought to faith in these last, horrible moments of his life! But then, it's a miracle when anyone is brought to faith, isn't it? 

The author brings to light man's version of what's fair and compares it with God's definition. By nature, we like to call the shots when the reality is that God has that place. "Sin" is a dirty word and is used less and less in our society. It's scary to think that if people distance themselves more and more from the awareness of their sinfulness, they will have less and less reason to see their need for a Saviour. 

Some things that jumped out at me in this chapter start at the top of page 120 - The repentant felon was only partly right when he said, "We are getting what our sins deserve."  He could more accurately have said, "Jesus is getting what our deeds deserve." Here we see that the repentant thief felt a natural sense of justice knowing that there needed to be consequences for the wrongs he had done. What he would witness up there next to Jesus on the cross was grace. Instead, Jesus was also suffering the inferno of God's anger - in our place. 

Another point to note was the author's observation (found at the bottom of pg.120) that the criminal called Jesus by name. That's very interesting to contemplate! His name meant something and explained everything about him! 

Jesus is as near to us in the Bible as he was to the criminals that flanked him on Golgotha. (121) 
I can't help but think that surely if I was alive during that time Jesus walked the earth and our paths crossed, how could I NOT acknowledge him as the Saviour? But the truth is, many did reject him even as their paths crossed. And here you have two men with a front row seat witnessing Jesus' suffering for mankind and one man still stubbornly rejects what his eyes can see. Would I be so different? Thankfully, by the grace of God, he has opened my eyes to belief just as he did for those that believed in him them. 

This was really a poignant chapter. The message of forgiveness is clear. It's all Jesus! 

Mothering Like Mary

From my experience, it was exciting to see my son confirmed in his baptismal grace like Carey recounts. It was an opportunity to look at it in my own life with new eyes and be excited for my son to have this gift that God has established for his church! 

Ponder
How do you react to this chapter's treatment of the criminal who was not saved? I know far too many "criminals" today who've had opportunities to hear of God's forgiveness and learn of Jesus' sacrifice and still reject him like the lost criminal on the cross. 

Christian funerals are one of the more opportune times to reach lost souls with Jesus' message. Attendees to these funerals have death on their minds and many are warming a pew they seldom sit in. The sermon preaches the good news of Jesus in a clear and straightforward way and many still wiggle uncomfortably and stubbornly resist "going there" in their minds.

I imagine the situations most like these criminals are the end of life, deathbed scenes: Lives that have resisted and rejected God throughout their time of grace now stand at the end of their earthly life and are looking at an eternity square in the face. Praise God that he does bring about deathbed conversions! We rejoice in the ability to comfort loved ones left behind that had prayed for this their entire lives! It was a close call:) ... but the angels are singing for another lost sheep has been found. But ... there are the sad stories, too. Like the lost criminal, they chose to face death on his own terms, terms that didn't include the Saviour beside him. He was in touching distance of Christ, within earshot of his words of forgiveness. .. Jesus was providing the fireproof protection of his love, but this felon chose to step out of that love and walk into the blaze of God's anger alone. His choice would mean not merely a physical death but also an eternal one. (120) 

I am so thankful for the assurance of my salvation found only in Jesus! 

Chapter 19 - The Road to Golgotha

Not very "Christmas-y" is it? 

This chapter reads like a Lenten devotional as we consider the moments leading up to Jesus' trial, bloody punishment and crucifixion. Where's the little family now with the sweet baby and the shepherds and the angels glorifying and praising God? 

The joy that we have in Christmas is only made possible by the suffering of Good Friday. 

The baby of the nativity is the man that hung on a cross.

It was a box of wood that held the newborn child but a wooden tree that he was nailed to. 

The gift of Christmas IS everything this Son of God and Son of Man has to offer - full and free forgiveness made possible for us by the perfect life he lived for us, the suffering of sins he endured, and the triumph over sin, death and the devil he won for all! 

Merry Christmas!

But now we stand at Golgotha and our heads are reeling as we imagine everything Mary must be enduring as a mother. 

The author's style of writing makes the scene come alive, doesn't it? So many incidents to consider! Prophecies continue to be fulfilled in Jesus. We remember as Mary must have how all the past was leading up to this! 
The slow slaughter of the Lamb of God had begun, with none of the swift mercy granted to the temple's sacrificial lambs. 
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
That is why he had to come. To win forgiveness. (112)

The chapter continues to go on by applying this to our own lives and our mothering. 

...he wasn't overlooking the sins committed against him. He was giving voice to the reason he hung there in the first place. Sins of scheming, sins of accident, sins of ignorance - Jesus had come to purchase forgiveness for them all.... Jesus, the Lamb of God, had only his perfect life to offer. His blood would be the firebreak past which God's anger would not burn. (113) Interesting as she fleshes out the meaning behind Jesus' words - that it's not as if he spoke his forgiveness only once but he was saying (113) as this forgiveness continues on to us! 

Mothering Like Mary

Susan's personal story of forgiving the woman who caused her family's accident that killed her mother is amazing! I appreciated her honesty - My real struggle was over how to express forgiveness to one who denied any wrongdoing. (115) And the story of the letter she wrote to the driver that was read aloud in court was such a beautiful example of this full forgiveness without any "ifs" - If you are sorry, If you express regret, If you never drink and drive again, etc. 
She had many wise points! 

• Forgiveness is a process rather than a single event. 
• God's Word was powerful; it alone could change me.
• I knew the treasures we had in Christ far outweighed the loss we had experienced. 
• I clung to the promise that God would work all things for the good of my sister and dad, who loved him.
• I had to leave the situation involving the driver in God's hands.
• It was Jesus who gave me the peace to forgive. 
• The Lord was my strength. He brings resolution in his time.(116)

What important lessons to teach our children - how we forgive because Jesus forgave us, how to say "I'm sorry" and "I forgive you", to see others through the eyes of Jesus, and to model this for them! 

Ponder
What value, if any, is there for a Christian mother in imagining Mary's thoughts on the way to Jesus' cross?
Throughout this book, we've heard how Mary "treasured these things and pondered them in her heart". She didn't just live a moment and dump the memory. Here's where it had to have all come together - in these hard moments of witnessing the end of her son's life as she knew it. 
There's value in reading the Bible as a whole. God intends it that way for good purpose! It all connects and circles around a common theme - Christ. The Old Testament and the New Testament aren't meant to be pitted against each other - they're meant to be read to together to get the full picture! Christ is shown clearly in the OT just as we see him in the NT! Imagining Mary putting this together in her mind helps me make the connections too. 

Chapter 18 - Our Heavenly Brother

This is another well known account that I don't think I fully understood going into this chapter. It never made sense to me that his family thought they knew better what Jesus needed than he did - the Son of God. And his response to them made me feel bad for them, his mother and family. I saw his loved one's concern for him and then he doesn't even acknowledge that they're family? Ouch! 

There were a number of eye opening items for me in this chapter considering my limited understanding up till this point!

Jesus was tired! He was hungry. He was thirsty. He was physically and emotionally drained during his ministry. He gave all that he had! He was driven by love for man. He looked over the faces that looked so expectantly at him, so full of hope, and he kept giving. He knew his time was limited - was short. What he had to say needed to be said now. 
I really can't blame Mary for doing what she did. She saw all this happening to her son and showed her care and concern. But maybe she lost sight of who he was for a moment - not just her son but God's Son. 

Not to throw Mary under the bus but just to recap, here's where Mary went wrong:

• Mary questioned Jesus' choices.
• Mary tried to pull Jesus away from his teaching.
• Mary underestimated the lengths that Jesus was willing to go in order to bring others to faith and win their forgiveness. 
• Mary also suspected that Jesus was out of his mind... No one in their "right" mind would choose to do what Jesus did: climb the cross for the sake of those who didn't treat him well, who opposed him at every turn. Make no mistake: that includes you and me. (103)

The author is right when she brings to light that it's not just Mary falling short in these areas. We do, too! Thanks be to God for his forgiveness! 

As Jesus continued teaching, the crowd gathered around him and he chose not to respond to the concern of his family waiting outside for him by getting up and going to them. We read what this meant to the crowd. Not only did he stay with them, but he used it as a lesson. They were his family. "Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." Here was a Brother bound to them by an infinite, unwavering love and by the blood he would one day shed for their sake. Loneliness fled, and those hearts would never be the same again. Now I'm seeing it from the perspective of the expectant crowd and seeing what this meant to them - and to us! We are in that crowd, too and he is speaking to us. We aren't Jesus' family by birth, but we are his family by blood - the blood he shed on the cross to seal our adoption. (105)
I am praying that prayer there at the end and putting my imperfections at the cross. Make me that mother, Lord - a mother who looks to you and believes. (106)

Mothering Like Mary

Crystal seems to have as good a handle on the technology in her home as one could have. I don't quite have the same issues in my home as she does in hers but technology is still something we've struggled with as parents. My teenager is a boy and there are different challenges with how he uses technology that don't include much social media although we've had discussions about his instagram account! I'm always looking for wisdom in this area and like to hear what others are doing to parent in a way that generations before didn't have to worry about. 
I like all of Crystal's ideas and it sounds as if she's doing the right thing! It does require effort and a constant awareness of what's new  out there.  

Ponder

Jesus regards Christian women as his own sisters and mothers. How does this affect the way you think of yourself when you look in the mirror? Instead of seeing my age spots and imperfections reflect back at me, I can focus on Jesus reflecting his perfection on me. It's not what I see but what matters more is what I can't see. That he would regard me as his family is more meaningful than whether I have wrinkles! I am worthy in his sight!! 

Chapter 17 - A Wedding and Wine

I've never looked at the account of Jesus turning the water into wine as a lesson on prayer. What an eye opener! 

Lesson #1
There's a problem. (boy, can we relate to that?!!) Mary considers the problem at hand. In her mind there was only one source of help. (96) She tells Jesus. 

Lesson #2 
She asked boldly, confidently in faith! (But) his answer also confirmed that her faith was not misplaced. "Not yet" is not "no". Jesus was essentially telling Mary, as he tells us when we come to him for help, "Leave it to me. I will take care of it when the time is right." (97)

Lesson #3 
She trusted that there was no problem in her life too insignificant to bring to Jesus. She didn't waste time worrying or scheming; she came straight to God's Son. She didn't tell Jesus how to solve her problem. She merely brought it to his attention, confident of his help. (97) 

Lesson #4
The devil works hard to keep us from coming to God in prayer. It's a conspiracy to be aware of! He does this with the worries that we insist on carrying, the doubts we don' let go, the busyness of everyday life and the distractions of our day. We are kept so busy trying to solve our own problems that "when we finally begin to pray, we have already tortured ourselves half to death." (98) 

I need to treasure these lessons and ponder on them for awhile!

Turning water into wine. A miracle! But more than that - a sign Jesus would use ... to reveal himself to his disciples as the Son of God. (98) His glory spilled out and revealed his identity as the Son of God, "and his disciples put their faith in him." That was the purpose of this miraculous sign.... Now his first miracle revealed that his words were true. (99) And Mary would be encouraged by this, too! She was no longer a "congregation of one". 

Mothering Like Mary

I really like the idea of praying aloud for your little ones and modelling what prayer can sound like. There's beauty in the simplicity of prayer! And likewise, the mom's reaction to the childlike faith and comfort that her children rest in knowing that their prayers are heard is a lesson for us! Jesus is taking care of it! 

In my house we take turns praying around the dinner table after devotion. This has been a way we have modelled prayer to our children. It's also an intimate way to hear what's on their hearts and what their concerns are. 

When we are at the beginning of a long car trip and when it comes to an end, we pray with our children for God's protection, safe travels and praise him for his guidance! 

Ponder
How is Mary's "prayer" an example to you?
She has showed me to go to Jesus right away. Do not pass "Go". Do not collect $200. Just go right to him! 
Be bold and confident knowing that Jesus will answer according to his will, according to his time. He is taking care of it!
There is nothing too insignificant to bring to Jesus. He cares for all my needs and concerns. 
Worries, anxiety, busyness, doubts are all tools the devil uses to draw me away from my Saviour. Put these at the foot of the cross and trust in Jesus! 

Chapter 16 - Look, The Lamb of God!

Why does this chapter seem to be the call before the storm? 

Time to watch ... and listen.

Ponder
What did you like about Jesus' imagined homecoming in this chapter? How do you imagine it differently? 
The author does a beautiful job imagining the scene of Jesus bringing  his disciples home to Mary. Mary's pondering - her memories -  finds a common thread in the Lamb of God. 

Time to watch ... and listen.

Chapter 15 - Lost and Found

You're going to have to promise me you'll read The Bloodstained Path to God.  This chapter is the perfect example of what insight to the Old Testament you will gain and how it will enhance your knowledge and wisdom of God's Word. 
As the Passover lamb poured out its blood, I wonder if 12-year-old Jesus understood that its death was a graphic demonstration of what he -the Lamb of God - had come to the world to do. His slaughter on the cross would ensure that God's anger would pass over sinners. His punishment would bring us peace. His wounds would heal us. (86) 

Jesus Lost - Maybe not their finest hour as parents. They lost God in the flesh. But the circumstances as the author explains them makes sense of how easily it could have happened. I can relate to that horrible, panicked feeling! 

Jesus lost. They searched

 at least. Let me not say: I'll 

seek some other time. (85) 

I don't really have much of my own thoughts to comment on in this chapter but there are a lot of passages the author makes that I really like. 

Mary hadn't just lost Jesus in a literal way. She had also lost sight of Jesus' true identity. It must have been difficult enough for her to look at her gangly 12-year-old and see the promised Messiah. (88)

Like Mary, I don't always fully understand the work my Savior is doing in my life, especially when my life is not going particularly well. ... His answer to Mary is his answer to us: I'm doing my Father's business. God's business in our lives is to draw us closer to him and to turn our eyes to heaven. (89)

It's so interesting to me how often it's mentioned that "Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart". She seems a very thoughtful woman. She took the time to stew over these events, what she'd witnessed, and what she heard. She was a very wise woman to do that! 

Lord, help me to be like Mary: to treasure in my heart your words, even those that are difficult to understand, and to work at a better and deeper knowledge of your will in my life. (89)

The whole section on Jesus' obedience was something to ponder like Mary. How patient he was with his own parents! He still had to learn and grow. (89) It really does amaze me!

I have always loved the verse: Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men." Luke 2:52
I pray that for my own children! 

Mothering Like Mary

God bless "David's" grandma. What a special lady. 
I pray that I can use my time with him in the best way so that he knows all he needs for everlasting life. 
Amen. I am praying that too! 

Ponder

What causes you anxiety when you think of your child? How does Matthew 6:25-34 help you deal with that anxiety? 
True confession. I struggle with anxiety. I have a tendency to worry. I imagine everything that could possibly go wrong. I envision different scenarios and the ensuing mess. Oh, yeah. I freak out. 
Weird thing is, one child has caused me more anxiety than the other. Without naming names, let's just say it's the one who's not around all the time anymore. I don't know what it is about this kid. He's great. He really is.  I've no doubt that God has great plans for him. But then I act like I don't believe that even though I do. Told you I freak out.
I worry about his grades. I worry about what school he'll go to for college, if he'll find a wonderful woman - at the right time. I worry about if he'll grow out of his mild form of epilepsy so he doesn't carry it into adulthood. I worry about if his socks match his shoes and wonder what kind of woman would be attracted to that. Someone who'll want to fix him - that's who. And we all know how that works out! 

It's when I'm sucked into my vortex of anxiety that I've lost sight of Jesus. This I know. And the words of Matthew 6:25-34 need to be posted on my fridge. I know that both my children are more important to God than the birds of the air or the lilies of the field. I know that God loves my children perfectly and more than I do even though that's hard to imagine. I know that God has good plans for them. They are his children born in baptism, created by his hands, placed into my home so they can grow in wisdom and stature with God and men. What a privilege this is and what a comfort! 

Chapter 14 - Growing in Wisdom and Favor

I think this chapter really highlights the all important role that parents have in the spiritual training of their children. 

I'm fascinates me to consider the years of Jesus' boyhood that we know nothing of. I'll be taking that his-story class in heaven for sure! 

I'm also so grateful that Jesus grew, became strong and was filled with wisdom for me. He walked a path that we all attempt but he did it perfectly in our place! 

Brainstorming with other Christians on how they spiritually train their own children is so inspiring! We've looked at Mary and fleshed out what we can tell by what Scripture shares with us on this topic. We've also looked at current moms that are "mothering like Mary". Susan had more great ideas that she shares in today's reading. I especially appreciated her ideas on how she parents her son at Prep. Wasn't I JUST saying this was a challenge for me? Thank you, Jesus! 

I was blessed to be born and raised in a Christian home with parents that spiritually trained me and my siblings. Many of my ideas, habits, etc. stem from my experience growing up. Other ideas come from books I've read, brainstorming with fellow Christians, Pinterest (let's be honest) and other places I've stubbled across.  But I am always amazed at the ingenuity and creativity of those parents that did not have a Christian home to grow up in and yet despite this disadvantage, are following God's command and doing it well! It's the Holy Spirit that truly equips us all, regardless of our childhood experiences. That is so encouraging! 

Mothering Like Mary

Reading Susan's memories of her mom is also inspiring. When she writes my mom taught us to live in the Lord - I pray that my kids would be able to say that about me, too. I worry though that they'd have a less complimentary answer. I'm sure I make things way more complicated than they need to be. Living in the Lord sounds simple but I somehow manage to run circles around that. I fall short of doing that perfectly which is exactly why I need my Saviour!

Ponder

You were not randomly selected to be your child's mom. What unique perspective has God prepared you to share as a mom?

I have the unique perspective of having become a mother through both the biological way and through adoption. 
I became pregnant with my first right away. It was too easy:) Everything happened as I expected it to happen. What to Expect When Your Expecting was my go-to book. I guess I took it for granted that my experience was my right. A given. Until my perspective changed.
#2 did not come easily. It didn't come at all biologically! Now all of a sudden I was angry that "my right" wasn't given to me. But it also made me realize how miraculous pregnancy is. It doesn't just take two to tango that create a new life. It's many amazing biological events that have to be just right. God truly is the author of life and opens our wombs when he sees fit to give us just the right child. 
#2 was born in our hearts through adoption. The anticipation of this child was so great and took years to come to fruition. We survived numerous background checks, physicals, endured an intrusive home study, spent money, flew in a plane for a day and .... waited. There was no doubt in our minds as we held our new baby that she was meant for us. God had orchestrated all those events to lead up to this. 
And as challenging and difficult as many of those years held, it drew me closer to my Lord as I waited on his answer, his timing and I prayed that my will would be conformed to His. I'm now able to better understand others that endure the hard road of infertility and encourage those that pursue the wonderful, roller coaster journey of adoption. I also have a huge appreciation for babies born into families the "regular way" because that too is a gift from God to that family. 

Chapter 13 - Escape to Egypt

A bloody business - another prophecy fulfilled, this one was not something to look forward to. What a horrible scene to imagine.

It should get our attention that God did not spare Mary and Joseph, or his Son, from struggle and stress. 
Nor does our connection to Christ guarantee us easy lives. Christians aren't supernaturally resistant to trouble. (74)
Have you figured this out yet in your own life?

I have. I am not immune to the effects of sin within myself or surrounding me in the world. 
I also work part time in my home hair salon. It's an unusual phenomenon that while I work on the outward appearances, some clients share with me the tangles of what's on their inside. It seems it's not just their hair that gets tangled and knotted. It's their lives - their marriages, their kids, their extended families, their health - you name it. I listen more than anything. If there's one thing I've learned from this is that everyone has a story. Many of my clients are Christians and their struggles are real and hard. 

It's impossible to know what plans God has for us through dealing with these struggles. But we know he has one, and that it will work out for our good. He also promises to be our strength! 
We can't say that every trial in a Christian's life is meant to teach that person to appreciate grace more, but that's often the surprising blessing of our thorns. (75) So true! It's when I've been brought to my knees in humble weakness that I'm drawn to the arms of my Saviour. But God knows I've been that pathetic fly, too - banging against the windowpane. I am thankful for God's patience with me! 

When it comes to letting my kids suffer and learn to deal with difficulties, I recognize that this is not a bad thing. I've had my moments though of jumping in too soon, avoiding situations and trying to solve problems that aren't mine to solve. 
But my overall prayer and desire is that they are in heaven with me eternally. When all is said and done, that's the only thing I want. Now, it would be nice to see them have blessing and happiness here on earth and I pray for that too. But if the end goal is for them  (and us) to spend an eternity in heaven with Jesus, things may have to get messy sometimes. The messy may in fact be a means to draw them (and us) back to Jesus. Jesus knows what is needed!
And so I too pray, "Lord, when suffering comes to my children - and it will, because they are sinful beings in a sinful world - draw them closer to you because of it. Strengthen their faith. Develop their perseverance. Let their suffering make them a blessing to others." (76) 

I'm sure Mary and Joseph would have appreciated an "I Dream of Jeannie" moment and with a flick of Mary's ponytail, been whisked away to someplace safe. Saved themselves the trouble of the journey, you know? God knew they needed the journey. And so do we or our ponytails would work magic, too! He equips us for the journey. God doesn't always spare us from evil with a miracle, but he doesn't abandon us either. He gives us all that we need for our earthly lives, and when life itself comes to its swift end, he has prepared a better home for us in heaven.  (77)

Mothering Like Mary

I thought Michelle's perspective as a mother with young children was honest, realistic and encouraging! Having survived that season in life, I have the experience knowing that it is just that - a season. It does go by fast even though some there are days that creep by. Raising babies is important, hard work! Setting their spiritual foundation will equip them for life to come! 

Ponder

What are your biggest parenting challenges right now? What promises of God do you rest on?
My big challenge right now is knowing how best to parent my child a thousand miles away. As a teenager, he has become very independent and is on the cusp of adulthood! But not yet! It takes wisdom knowing how best to guide without it being too much. Letting him fail and learn hard lessons. Celebrating his victories from afar! I'm not in on his everyday challenges and don't always know the "what" to pray for. I trust that the Holy Spirit knows those things and guides my prayers. 
I find comfort in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

Chapter 12 - A Light For the Gentiles

This chapter brought up some points that I had never considered before! There were a few fascinating items that caused me to pause and stew over. 

I always kind of wondered how the magi could have such faith being so far removed from the nation of Israel. Again we see God guiding the events of his-story for his purposes - orchestrating them as the Master Conductor! Those years of captivity had brought previously unseen blessings. There were those that had listened to the prophecies of the Israelites. There were those that had not forgotten. There was the magi! 

Their faith was sure and doubtless. They knew what they were looking for. The author notes the way they - phrased their inquiry. Not, "Have there been, perchance, rumours of a possible new king in town?" But an assured, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." (69) 

News of the foreign travelers and their purpose must have spread like wildfire throughout Jerusalem! Surely, this was a topic discussed over the water-coolers and among the gossips. These were a people who should have known - they grew up with knowledge of these prophecies. All their festivals and temple rituals looked toward this fulfillment that was promised. What was wrong with these people?!! Notice that not a single priest or teacher from the temple bothered to follow the Magi or the star. ... not one resident of the city joined them to seek out the Messiah. (69)

I envy the faith of these kindred Gentiles. They were wise enough to  see beyond what met their eyes. (70) This is a true, godly wisdom that I pray for ... to see with eyes of faith! These foreigners made a crazy, long journey through what must have been harsh terrain. It was clear by their stop in Jerusalem that they were the only ones who seemed to be on the ball with this one. And the little, poor family that they ended up in front of never kept them from being on their knees in worship and adoration. Here was the first evidence that her child was "a light for revelation to the Gentiles." (70) 

Mothering Like Mary

What a treasure trove of ideas to encourage our kids to say thank you with their time, talents and treasures! I would include the LWMS kids c.a.r.e. program  that informs children through a presentation done in their Sunday school or day school program of special mission projects for kids. Kids helping kids! There's tools and resources, ideas and help for bringing this information to them. 

Ponder

Evaluate: God doesn't need our time, talents, or treasures, but we need to give them. Yes, God can get along just fine without us doing anything. But that's not the point of giving of ourselves. Giving is a reaction to the living faith inside of us! When we are aware of our sins and desperate need for a Saviour, our hearts praise God to know that he has set us free from sin by his perfect life, death and resurrection in Jesus! In turn, we can't help but express our thankfulness and yes, we need to give of ourselves. We're able to do that through the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us! 

Chapter 11 - My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation

Mary and Joseph were doing what they were required to do. They were being normal. Everything about them looked ordinary. How surprised they must have been to be approached by Simeon and Anna. For these two people to have known this babies significance through some supernatural way surely must have been further confirmation to Mary and Joseph that they weren't dreaming all this. It was real! 
And there must have been countless ordinary days that went by in those early years. They would have the memories of the people outside of themselves (Elizabeth, the shepherds and angels, and now Simeon and Anna) that knew everything about them was far from ordinary. This must have been a blessing to know! Over the next year, the infant Jesus continued to be ordinary in his needs and in his growth, but God ensured Mary and Joseph would not forget his extraordinary purpose. (pg65-66)

Simeon was looking and waiting for Jesus. He had a promise to hold on to! I appreciated the author giving us perspective, too - that we can anticipate and look for Jesus' second coming! 

Simeon looked at Jesus and saw you and me living in the light of Christ's revelation: believers at the ends of the earth. (pg 64) God's plan included us! 

Mothering Like Mary

My heart breaks for the mother! What unimaginable loss that must surely be. She says - I also learned that our gracious God allows a heartache such as this so that he can cleave us to himself.(66) Who else do we have when we come to understand that everyone and everything can and will be taken from us? It is God who is constant and dependable. These are hard lessons to learn! 

Ponder

How was Simeon's diagnosis of future sorrow a blessing to Mary? 
He was keeping it real. Sure, there was a lot of good stuff to say! Amazing, miraculous stuff! But there was the other side, too. Mary would benefit by being prepared for that. She would need her eyes wide open. She would need to trust God! 

Just like Sharon mentioned, we don't always get to lead a "charmed life". Because of sin, death came into the world... and we were feeling the sting. (66) Mary, the mother of Jesus, was no exception. She would feel the sting, too - she already had! And so do we. We need to trust God and pray:
Lord, help me to sing your praises even when my eyes are filled with tears. Amen. (67)

Chapter 10 - Two Birds and a Lamb

All these religious rituals and rules they had to follow - it can get confusing trying to understand it all. The author does a great job filling in the context of it all when 40 days after Jesus' birth, the little family is back at the temple. Mary could not afford a lamb, but the child in her arms was the Lamb who would one day be sacrificed to remove her sin, and ours. What a profound thought!

I also thought it was clever the way "the purpose behind the laws" was explained through her illustration. I'll come back to that in the ponder question.

The words and message read under Come to God's House was sensitive and honest. They are "conversations of encouragement" I wish I could have with so many! I am a pastor's wife and one could argue that I have to be at church anyway! How could I understand these real feelings, challenges and emotions that keep others from stepping into God's house weekly? I get it. I really do.
 I wasn't always a pastor's wife. I vividly remember a Sunday morning back when my son was around the horribly challenging age of being able to walk/run with a devilish independent streak (imagine a toddler taking off toward the altar stumbling like a drunken sailor, stopping only long enough to look back at his horrified parents and grin). I got up that this particular morning and declared to husband "why bother?! I don't get anything out of it anyway. I'm NOT going." What he said in response is the only time in our marriage he told me what to do without any debate. He told me to go anyway. He'd stay home with Will and take him to the later service. I'd wing it by myself at the early service. I needed to recharge - not by stepping away but stepping into God's presence. His Words calmed, encouraged and gave me clarity for the challenge ahead! The next week our little family was back in the pew together again and recommitted to powering through the difficulties because we knew it was worth it. We model for our children what it means to go with joy to the house of the Lord. (59)

Mothering Like Mary

I appreciate all the ideas mentioned and related to some of them in particular. 
As a pastor's wife, I've sat alone with my kids during our ministry. Some weeks were better than others:) At a certain point, I allowed my son the chance to sit with his friend's family - as long as they behaved and it wasn't a disruption. This gave me an opportunity to focus on the baby and was a fun motivation for my older one to look forward to! 
My husband types out his sermons and sends them out afterwards. In my early mothering days, I'd get this from him before the sermon and read through it. I got a lot more out of the service the next day! Or I'd read it afterwards and get what I missed. Regardless, I always appreciated the Lord's Supper because I knew that even if it felt like I got nothing out of the service because I was so distracted, God still worked through his body and blood and sustained my faith despite the craziness! 
As my children got older, I've taught them seasonal hymns to follow the church year. Their eyes light up when their hymn comes up at a church service and they know it by heart! They get so excited! 

Ponder

Evaluate: God no longer requires animal sacrifices, so there's no point in learning about those Old Testament practices. 
FALSE. There is so much we can learn by looking closely at the OT practices. I had a tendency to scan over them in reading and move onto stuff that made more sense to me. The first book I really enjoyed reading that linked the OT to the NT was From Sinai to Calvary from NPH. It really opened my eyes to the significance of the Israel way of life. I was shocked to see all the ways God was showing them Jesus way back then! 
Most recently, I've read Sarah Habben's other book she co-authored with her husband. Trust me when I say this lady knows what she's talking about when she explained to us the purpose behind the laws in this chapter; she wrote a book about it!  In The Bloodstained Path to God also published by NPH, the authors explain the meaning and purpose behind the Mosaic covenant. They walk the reader through their festivals and explain the significance behind them. The reader also follows along with a fictional character (Sarah's part, I would guess;) to better imagine what it would have been like. I highly recommend it for your personal growth and understanding in how it all points to Christ! 

I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." Psalm 122:1

Chapter 9 - What's in a Name?

Everything about Jesus' coming was humble. His circumcision was no exception. But things are not always as they seem. This was Joseph giving voice to the child's name, but also his destiny.  Heaven's heir didn't need circumcision to make him part of God's family - but with that first shedding of blood, he stepped into the ring with the sinners he came to save. Thank you, Jesus! 

In my Christian training growing up, I always found more emphasis on learning how "Jesus died for my sins". And that's certainly true! It was later in my life that my understanding expanded to Jesus saved us by paying for our sins at the end of his earthly life, but his payment was only accepted because he had kept all of God's laws perfectly throughout his earthly life. That was what made his sacrifice acceptable to God - his perfection. Thank you, Jesus!

Circumcision was only done to males although the promise extended to females by virtue of the headship principle. But isn't it wonderful that Baptism is given to males and females - young and old? Take a closer look at the author's paraphrased words of God's new pact. Who's doing the work here - the one being baptized, or the God who gives the gift? It's available because what Jesus did. God is doing the forgiving, promising and preparing. God is doing the giving. He connects his name and writes that on the baptized. 

And what changes after this happens? We don't look any different (like those circumcised) but when I (God) looks at you, he sees his Son! We are clothed with his perfection! 

I just recently found out (mom forgot to fill me in;) that I was baptized right away after birth but had an affirmation in church with my godparents. 
My husband's parents came to faith later in life. As the youngest of their three boys, he was a toddler at the time of his baptism. 
Our son was baptized a week after birth. I was still hobbling around, but my sister was there as his godparent and grandparents and great-grandparents were able to attend from far away. 
Our daughter was baptized at 11 months. She was adopted from China at 10 1/2 months and we chose to wait until we were home in order to share this with eager family, friends and church family. It was neat to think that after being adopted into our family, she was now adopted into God's family! We named her Hosanna which means "Lord save us" - just as Jesus' name means "the Lord saves". 

Mothering Like Mary

What great ideas! I wish I would have put more forethought early on into establishing special Baptism traditions. Hosanna's baptism birthday always throws me off because it comes weeks before her birthday. Regardless, I have not done anything special for this but it doesn't mean I can't start. 

I have, however, done a better job at it in my god parenting role. I choose to celebrate and send a gift for my godchildren's baptism birthdays. I figure they get lots of presents for their regular birthdays anyway.  

Ponder

List at least three reasons why Baptism is more than a onetime event. 
It's an opportunity to daily live out my baptism by starting  each day remembering my sins have been drowned and washed away. Every day.
 Baptism gives me faith. That faith is fed and sustained with Word and Sacrament (Lord's Supper) all my life. 
Baptism makes me a child of God and adopts me into his family. The Holy Spirit lives in me, enabling me to do good works - fruits of faith. 

I'd love to hear baptism birthday ideas from you! Keep 'em coming:)

Chapter 8 - Let's Go and See

Shepherds and Angels. They've become such a common fixture of the Christmas story that I must admit to often overlooking them at this point in my life. I'm finding it's important for me to stop and take another look at their significance in all this.

I thought it was interesting when the author noted the possibility that the shepherds knew that some of their sheep would be used as sacrifices in the temple. The shepherds knew that for every lamb that was sacrificed, another would have to be raised, because guilt and sin and the need for blood payments remained year after year. And now here was the Lamb of God in flesh and blood ...

God's Word compels us to action ... not a motivational speech, not a guilt trip, not peer pressure. God's Word. 

I love that the liturgy includes the "Gloria in Excelsis". What a wonderful chance to sing with the angels this side of heaven! What a wonderful opportunity to imagine what that song will sound like at Jesus' second coming, when we will join the angels in their song of worship! 

Beautiful thought - For the rest of her life, she (Mary) would never stop peeking under the wrapping of her heart to wonder at the treasure within.  Praying that the Lord helps us mother like this! 

*I would LOVE to hear more from you, dear readers! My stats show that there are hundreds of hits so far this past week! I understand that there are valid feelings that keep you from sharing what's on your heart. I'd like to encourage you that YOU have something worth sharing that can build up and encourage others. Full disclosure? I could use some building up! We already have so much in common - a love for Jesus and a love for the Body of Christ! Just like Elizabeth, there is much wisdom to be found in maturity and life experience. Just like Mary, there is a fresh outlook from those "in the trenches of motherhood".  I am so grateful to all of you! I am praying for you ...

Chapter 7 - A Humble Birth

A humble birth. That's an understatement, isn't it? I think of barns and farms I have visited. For a city girl, the smell is overwhelming and causes me to gag - especially around the pigs! It doesn't seem to matter how clean and well taken care of the animals or their surrounding are. It just stinks. And yet this was where the Son of God was born. Humble indeed! 

The author describes how another Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled. This "chocolate chip" described how the Saviour would come from Bethlehem. Isn't it awesome how God works this all out?! 

From the moment of his birth, the Son of God made himself ... accessible. (41) I appreciate how the author explains the Most Holy Place and what Israel had known up till then. Where before only the high priest had trembling access, now even lowly shepherds (and frazzled mothers) could approach in confidence. 

The application in The Bread of Life is spot on! I easily claim that Jesus is my Bread of Life, but then I go and depend on something else or myself. What comforting reassurance to hear once again that the Lord is with me. Now if I could just not forget it/act like it! Lord, help me to mother with Mary's simple faith. You are the Bread of Life who came down from heaven, the only food that can fill my hungry heart and satisfy all my desires. When I have you, I have all that I truly need. 

Mothering Like Mary

Well, wow. I would bawl my eyes out if everything I owned sunk to the bottom of the Red Sea. I remember when my husband and I were moving to Michigan for his year of vicaring. We had an infant son and I was not keen on driving from Milwaukee, around Chicago and up to our final destination. We decided to take the ferry across Lake Michigan. This way, I could nurse the baby when needed, walk around, and not be stuck in traffic. But I remember all our earthly possessions loaded up in a U-haul and boarding the ramp to park below deck. I remember praying, "Lord, please let us get to our destination safely along with all our stuff!" He saw fit to answer that prayer by allowing us to cross safely without incident!

But it is really all just stuff. And it's a timely reminder as I stress out about getting all the presents wrapped, the tree trimmed, my baking started, the nutcracker collection displayed ... well, I could keep going but you get the idea. I must keep remembering that having Jesus is sufficient. 

Ponder

God "kneads" history. How is that encouraging to you? What examples from history could you use to impress this same encouragement on your child? History is just about my favourite subject to teach my kids. I like to refer to it as His-story. We study it chronologically to see the progression. Years ago I purchased a poster titled "Map of the Humanities" that follows roads along a timeline to see them progress and intersect. It hangs in my homeschool room. The roads are: History, Church History, Government, Philosophy, Literature and Art History. You can actually download it for free here. I am constantly amazed how God works all things out, has a bigger purpose than I could ever imagine, and orchestrates events like a symphony of great music! This is especially timely as world events can cause us to wonder what's going to happen to life as we know it? There's no doubt that history can be ugly and quite possibly our future - but God still stands as Ruler and promises to work all things out for the good of those that love Him!