by Sharon O | Dec 31, 2013 | Uncategorized
As the year is drawing to a close and there is a new one just ahead.
What thoughts do you have or
new dreams or
new ‘goals’ do you have for the year?
Weight loss is normally a new ‘goal’.
Becoming more spiritual and reading more books is good.
Walking or moving into an exercise program is good.
Financial goals and facing a new budget is good.
So much to think about as we enter a new year of possibilities.
I have my small list and some of it is very manageable.
Some of it I will be challenged by the choices I must make but it will be good.
I choose to do what is healthy and to enjoy life.
I also always want to always remember my life’s motto.
by Sharon O | Dec 28, 2013 | Uncategorized
Luke 2:
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.
But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
In more than one writing we are told that Mary ‘treasured all the things she heard and saw’ in her heart.
We can’t really blame her for storing these precious memories so close.
Imagine the first meeting with the Angel.
Out of no where a bright angel comes into the room and announces to her she will carry a child and she will always be important in the kingdom of God.
She was a young teen anticipating a life with Joseph and perhaps someday children but as she listened the angel said ‘right now’ a baby is expected to show up and you are the mother chosen.
Imagine her thoughts when the angel said “it will be a son and his name will be Jesus”.
Mary knew Hebrew and she knew the name of the one who would come someday.
She treasured in her heart the words and the visit by this heavenly visitor.
Have you ever had a ‘profound’ conversation with someone and after the fact
you play and replay it back in your mind and spirit many times over?
I am sure Mary did the same.
The words of the shepherds later on as they spoke of this ‘great one’ they needed to see.
The words of the wise men and the special gifts given to Jesus.
Imagine with me as she would hold this precious new born baby.
She became more aware with each passing moment that her baby would be different.
Treasured in heart memories are a part of all new mom’s as we look at our newborns.
As we study their faces with the wispy hair, tender soft cheeks and dimpled fingers and toes.
Mary had many things to treasure.
Many words and many experiences that only ‘she’ would see and be a part of.
Imagine what it would have been like to feed him.
Help him crawl and walk.
Teach him to talk and memorize scripture.
I find it interesting that the word said ‘he grew in wisdom’, he was God in flesh
did he lose the all knowing ability then regain it later when he performed miracles?
He grew in stature and in favor with God and man and it says he was obedient.
Interesting words for me.
I can’t even imagine Jesus the child becoming disobedient.
Mary had many facts and experiences to store deep in her heart
all of them life changing and life altering which brings us back to an original question of mine.
Are we ready to receive when we are given the choice to follow a new direction for our lives.
It is definitely something for us to think about.
by Sharon O | Dec 24, 2013 | Uncategorized
by Sharon O | Dec 24, 2013 | Uncategorized
When it came time for them to dedicate their son to the Lord as was the custom back then.
Joseph and Mary made the journey to the temple to not only circumcise him on the eighth day but also dedicate him with his chosen name.
The name given to them and him by the angels.
They both remembered the words given,
“You shall call his name Jesus.”
In the temple there was man named Simeon who had waited for the chosen child for years to arrive.
Luke 2:
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.
When the parents brought in the child ‘Jesus’ to do for him what the custom of the law required,
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God saying:
“Soverign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all the nations: a light for the revelation to the gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:
“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.
And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Can you even imagine what Joseph and Mary was thinking about?
this was a dedication anticipated for many years.
I can’t even think of the thoughts they must have had when hearing this news from someone they had never met.
by Sharon O | Dec 21, 2013 | Uncategorized
More people were brought into the ‘story’ for Mary and Joseph and they were continually amazed at the prophetic words from the old testament to the time set before them.
They realized and knew their baby was unique and different.
The angels had told them he would be named Jesus.
The angels announced to the shepherds to go see.
Later on the wise men would go see also this chosen baby.
Mary would hide within her heart and store the lessons she learned about her tiny baby.
Every new mom spends hours and hours looking at her precious little new one.
Marveling at the tiny toes and tiny fingers.
Soft sweet cheeks and tender curls of hair.
I wonder how it was for her heart to know this was a very special chosen child.
I wonder if she knew ahead of time that her heart would break many times over as she would have accepted the calling on her life to be his ‘mother’.
Forever changed.
Forever new and different.
Remember those life changing, life altering moments.
Our choice is to accept them or resist.
I think in this setting and in this time Mary accepted all that she saw and all that she experienced with an open heart and a willing spirit.
Her baby was born in a town called Bethlehem and she would love like she had never loved before.
It is a special kind of love between a mom and her baby.
A child is born and captivates the hearts of so many who knew him.
It was a special kind of love.
