Today was going to be just another Monday. I woke up and jumped in the shower, as I do everyday, and prepared to go to work. But I just couldn't make myself drive the 30 miles down to Dalton to an empty office where I knew all I would think about all day was spending time with the family on Christmas Eve. Yes, I don't get paid if I don't work, but I just didn't care today.
So we decided to take a long walk along a creek that we go to every once in a while. On one end of the trail is a veterans memorial with memorials to each branch of the military. As we walked through it I found myself starring at this one particular sign as we walked on by. It said, "Let Freedom Reign". It's very fitting in honour of the men and women who have given their lives for our great country. Freedom is what we've bled for over many years to give this land and it's people the opportunities to live the lives that we all are living today. And that makes me thankful.
These words ring in my head as I look forward to Christmas tomorrow. It's mainly because I can't help but think about the gift that has been given to each of us from God centuries ago in the little town of Bethlehem. Yes, as usual, I've heard the Christmas story several times during our church services, but the story is just the beginning of the greater gift that God has given. The words, "Let Freedom Reign", just sings in my mind of what Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection are all about to those who say yes to him and accept him in faith. Freedom to face life, freedom from our worries, freedom from our burdens, and freedom in our hearts.
So maybe this Christmas, instead of focusing on a little baby, born in a little town, in a little stable, and placed in a little manager, why not focus on the end result...the free gift of freedom from our sins and a relationship with the God who loves us enough to give us the greatest gift we could ever receive, His Son Jesus. This Christmas, let's "Let Freedom Reign"!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
God Answers A Child's Needs
Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:
Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith, and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, "To Meredith" in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, "When a Pet Dies." Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:
Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recongnized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank you mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I am wherever there is love.
Love, God
Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith, and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, "To Meredith" in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, "When a Pet Dies." Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:
Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recongnized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank you mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I am wherever there is love.
Love, God
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