Angels

She had been living in an apartment with no electricity for over a month. It was July and hot, especially for Asheville. Jean was riding a streak of bad luck and now this. Her case worker with social services had somehow gotten my name and called me, desperate. The landlord had been patient but it was the end of the month…again. Time to go, and no one to take her. The youth group from Mississippi happened to have a van and a trailer, and we became the moving company. It is hard for me to imagine the indignity of being removed from your home. Somehow, Jean went about the task with gratitude toward us and grace in general. Three neighbor girls watched our carrying and loading from a distance. Turns out they were her twilight companions, coming by most evenings for visits and smores from her small charcoal grill, her only means of cooking. I could see the hurt and confusion on their faces that day. Jean pulled them close and assured them she would be back to see them, giving each of them some special comment. “Angels,” she said, “you are my angels.” Then we all stood in a circle, held hands and prayed, thanking God for sending us angels.

Student Teaching

The room was full of college kids. It was Friday night and they all had things to do other than coming to church. Jeanette and I had sped off after work from Asheville to Raleigh to try and make the 8:00pm worship time. We did make it, barely, and were welcomed by all those beautiful smiling faces. Being there was the latest episode in our series of encounters with these kids in Campus Outreach. What we have really encountered is ourselves and the opportunity to see God through their eyes. Our daughter Lauren has found a home with them and tonight she is leading worship.

We are led in worship by our 20 year old daughter! I am older now than I ever thought I would become when I was her age. God is surprising me in her and through her and her journey in Faith is my teacher. She and I and you are all God’s work-in-progress.

Here are some random observations, in no particular order.

• Our children have to find Jesus for themselves
• Denominational alliances are much less important than the gospel
• Knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus are not the same
• Relationships mean everything
• Love does conquer all

Live the Light

You have heard the joke that our nation’s Capitol shuts down during the holidays because the search for three wise men failed. Well, we tend to forget that the wise men in Matthew’s birth narrative appeared some time after the fact. No magi mixing with the shepherds on that starry night. The traditional 12 Days of Christmas actually runs from December 25 to January 6, framed by Jesus’ birth and the arrival of the wise men at the manger. They had studied the heavens and saw a special convergence that heralded the birth of a king. They followed the star toward Bethlehem. They presented Jesus with a Messiah’s prophetic gifts-gold for a king, frankincense for a priest and myrrh for a healer. I have long been enchanted by the wise men and their initiative, as well as their humility. Kings clothed in silk worshiping a king clothed in rags. The world turned. For us, a new era now becomes our new year. Whatever resolutions we make or don’t make, we should choose the one that brings Life. As we think so much about what we should do, should we not just remember who we should be? ”Arise, shine, for your light has come.” Receive God’s blessing, live the light.

So we could have a family

My parents died several years ago and even my brother Bill, my only sibling, passed away before his time. Their absence now does not define my days as it did early on. But last night my general unease could be named as missing them, here at Christmas. Like a recurrence of an old injury, I was reminded that the wound is still there, not fresh but tender. I am also made aware of God’s grace in my immediate family-wife and daughter, friends, extended family and adopted family.

“When the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son…that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons [and daughters], God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying, Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:4-7)

In the manner of an ancient adoption ceremony that would mean God saying, “Yes, you are my child.” and my response of “Yes, you are my Father.” And the covenant would be sealed. God came down at Christmas as a child so we could have a family. No matter how we feel at Christmas or any other time, love is born for us too.