When You Can't Be Enough

The tree stands 9 feet tall and covered with 15 Christmases worth of ornaments. From the few fragile glass ornaments that have survived four dogs and four kids and countless guests, to the Hallmark ornaments that I have collected for each of my dear ones the day after Christmas. Standing in line because only a sucker will pay full price.

This new to us tree that I bought at a late season garage sale a few weeks ago for $10. Covered with white lights this year. Normally I love the multicolored, but this year my heart yearned for the simple twinkle of white fairy lights.

A mark in the pro column for not having a pre lit tree.

Garlands winding their way up the staircase and over the fireplace and festooning the entry door.

This time of year is dark. And cold. And I, being a Florida girl at heart, shrivel at the dark. And the bickering from no outside playing. My stomach in knots. Needing sunshine. Or Vitamin D. Lots of it.

Wanting so much say the right things but dark sarcasm sneaks out. Out of my dark and out of my yuck.

But there stands the tree. Lending its light to the dark. Compensating for the black outside my windows.

And that is the beauty of Christmas.

Christ coming into the mess of a stable. Into the mess of our lives.

What better thing could there be to celebrate?

On Earth As It Is In Heaven

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on Earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.

I love the Lord's Prayer. Every line is so rife with meaning. Every word, a holy word straight from the Savior's lips, teaching us how we should pray.

I went to a ladies' retreat a couple of weeks ago. During my time there, we recited this prayer on several occasions. 

The line that sticks out to me during this season of my life is "on earth as it is in heaven." Oh, the power and the promise! The longing it stirs in me!

Those words seem to imply that I can live, here on earth, as if I were in heaven.

What can that possibly mean?

First of all I want you to imagine that you are standing in the Presence of God. The throne room as was described in Revelations. The creatures surround the throne. The elders are present. The Lamb is seated there. You are in God's presence. 

Everything falls away. Your tongue is tied. What could you possibly say? It seems the only thing you can say is "Holy, Holy, Holy," joining in with the saints and angels. 

All those things that you worry about? The way your third grade teacher treated you; death; the scary diagnosis; the rejections; what you will make for dinner; all of the people who have hurt and stolen your shine: 

GONE. 

How can any of those things stand in the presence of God?!

Now, imagine how you feel as those things fall away....

FREEDOM! Peace! Lightness! Comfort!

I believe that if we can truly encounter God here on earth, those things will fall away! We can live that line!

It is a discipline. We have to search for Him, but we are promised that when we search for Him, we will find Him! Anyone can do it! There isn't a top secret ritual, it is a promise for every person who ever was born and who ever will be born: we can find Him. He has manifested Himself in creation and through His word.

And once we find Him? 

His kingdom WILL come and His will WILL be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Tonight I hold that promise dear.