He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'
and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour,'...
Job 37:6
Walking across the lawn yesterday to get to church Zeke was surprised and enamored to see the snow. He walked out the door and said, "Ooooooo- Snows!" It's one of those precious, treasure-these-things-in-your-heart moments for a mom. As he tromped further into the snow, I watched his wonder as he picked up a teaspoon of snow in his mittened hand and let it fall, only to gather up cupfuls of snow in his little palm and let it rain over his head. It was precious, and I began to wonder...
What will he discover in Haiti?
My littlest son...what will you discover? What are God's great plans for you in a land far away? Children have such a capacity for learning that I think we can only begin to imagine. It's so fun to watch them grow and learn, but the best part is the awe. They see everything as if for the first time (and often times it is!).
They take a moment to stare in wonder and amazement at all of God's goodness around us. Because God really does say to the snow, "Fall!" and to the Sun, "Shine!" Children are not fooled by the world around them and all of the experts of science. They embrace the creation with joy and expectation of God's next good thing, even in the mighty downpour, even in the hurricane, even in the loss. They seem to take a moment to say, "Wow!" to a Creator who certainly is capable of Wow.
What will he discover in Haiti?
So, what will it be- the sparkling blue of the Caribbean, the pleasure of the sand on the seashore, the unexpectedness of the palm trees...or an understanding of compassion for those around him, joy expressed in a new tongue, a new language, with new friends...
maybe even a stirring to share what he has with the little one sitting next to him who has so little.
What "snows" has God presented in your life? How does he reveal His Glorious self to you, His much loved child?
May we all be on the path of discovery, to Know Him just a little bit more each day.
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:5
I don't know about you, but my world could use a little light most days. You don't have to be in the social work business to be depressed by the news. Recently, for one of my classes we had to sign up for a Twitter account, mainly to keep up with current events. I have to "follow" all of the major news outlets, some political commentators, and my fellow students. It only took 2 days for me to decide that it was just too much news. I know the world we live in is not a great place. I don't want a reminder of it every 2 minutes via Twitter.
But here's the reality...I need that reminder.
I need a swift kick in the shin really, I need my breath taken away to remember that there are people hurting, there are people struggling, there are people in visible and invisible prisons all around me. School shootings, houses engulfed in flames, malnutrition in Haiti, genocide in Darfur... sometimes I need the shock, to cause me to wake up to the hurt around me, that I miss everyday.
Darkness is all around us.
But we have seen a marvelous Light. That Light has reached down into our world and redeemed it. Absolutely no situation is un-redeemable, from school shootings, houses engulfed in flames, malnutrition in Haiti, and genocide in Darfur, to divorce in families, a frustrating sense of failure, and loneliness even in a room of crowded people. I feel so helpless when faced with the reality of all of it.
I must remember the Promise...
Darkness has not overcome it.
Darkness has not overcome it. No matter how dark life seems, not matter how painful the struggle, no matter how deep the chains of oppression, darkness has not overcome it.
Christ reaches into our Darkness. When we look around at all of the loss and destruction, we can also see glimpses of Him. I promise you it's there, in fact, He promises you He's there. Search for it...it's worth it.
Sometimes I find it so hard to see the Light, the Goodness. I find myself praying-
Reach into my darkness, Lord. Reach...
and He does. He stretches out His hand and reaches. I love knowing that redemption is there for every situation. The same God who digs the Psalmist out of the pit, reaches into our darkness with the cross. This is the Light no darkness can overcome. It's in you and me. It's living and active in our world. Praise God!
Reach into my darkness, Lord. Reach...
