This weekend I spoke to a friend and at the thought of attending another service to hear the Christmas story for the millionth time in my life, I was less than enthusiastic. I told her that I'd love to see the Christmas story in the form of a ballet. I'm sure it has been done, somewhere. After the words left my mouth I realized the stupidity I had just uttered. I get that Jesus was born of a virgin mother and lived a perfect life and then died for our sins. I have become so un-amazed by what He has done for us and so I suggest you all stand clear of me or risk being struck down by lightning. I am sad that the day arrived where I would speak with my lips such boredom of the Christmas story asking instead for it to be choreographed or more exciting. I'm certain the whole virgin birth has only happened once in all of eternity and will never happen again. Standing in church today during praise and worship I began weeping. Weeping for my loss of yearning. Weeping for forgiveness of a heart hardened by luxury and jaded by the world of convenience and entertainment. As I stood and the tears rolled off my cheeks I knew God had heard my silent prayer of forgiveness and my heart softened to His voice. The message Chris preached on was that of families at Christmastime. His message expressed the idea of celebration instead of envy. Someone always has something better around us and the grass always seems greener, but celebrate with those people and don't allow the enemy to fill you with jealousy.
Although God loves every one of us, much of our lives is dictated by choice. Go to college, get a good job, work hard, have a family, make good money, have nice things. It can also look like this: have sex when you are fifteen, get pregnant, struggle, finish school, work a minimum wage job for the rest of your life. It could even look like this: get pregnant at fifteen, finish school, go to college while working and being a single mom, get an excellent job, have a family, and be successful. God is with you the whole time. We can sometimes make bad choices and yet still find success and happiness, by the GRACE of God. The problem is, much like I believed to be bored with the miracle of the Christmas story, we become believers in self. Hard work does get you places, but the favor and grace of God gets you EVERYTHING. The day you begin to believe you are anything apart from Him, let me know so I can stand about six feet away to avoid the lightning strike.
Today I apologize, not only to each one of you, but to my Heavenly Father for my loss of awe in the story of Jesus being born of a virgin mother in the worst possible location in town. Lord, let me not forget your amazing story of why I am saved. Tomorrow night before bed as I sit and read the Christmas story to my children I will likely cry. Tears for my thankfulness and tears for gladness of a God who forgives me when I start to get bored of His GREATNESS.
Tonight as I put the chickens in their coop, Brett sang Silent Night to quiet the coop. Surprisingly, it worked. Sing Silent Night for yourself and remember the miracle of the birth of Christ. I am thankful for His forgiveness (Day29). Goodnight Friends.
Update: Should I be offended that at least 20 of you think I'm not perfect?? Ha!
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