So What If I Miss Her?

By Peter Lundell

I recently sent my daughter off to a very good private university with our church denomination, for which we got enough financial aid to afford this privilege.

She’s working so hard at her schoolwork, and now a part-time job on campus that she can’t come home this weekend as she had originally intended.

People ask if I miss her. Of course I do. And so does my wife and the dog. But that’s not the point. She’s experiencing what she needs to grow into a capable, strong, and mature person. Would I really prefer to see her at home lying on the couch?

It doesn’t matter that I miss her. It matters that she is in school starting the teacher education program, with the faculty and student community, and in the spiritual environment that are all best for her. There are a lot of great schools; I’m only saying this is the best one for her, and I hope every student gets into the school that’s best for him or her.

Any good parent sees beyond feelings. Good parenting, like good relationships, work, habits, life choices, faith in God—every good thing we do in life—is not based on how we feel but on what’s the right thing to do.

My missing her is irrelevant because she’s experiencing what she needs—in countless ways. And for that I am grateful.

Whether we like it or not, our spiritual life is the same. From what I read in Scripture and see in life, God is not particularly interested in how we feel about things but rather in what’s best for us.

You could ask if God the Father missed Jesus when Jesus came to earth. Same answer: It didn’t matter. Because Jesus came to do what was best, what humanity needed.

What will you give up or let go for someone else’s good?

“O Lord. Work in me to get over whatever feelings I have that keep me from doing the right thing, especially when it concerns other people. . . .”

“I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me” (Philippians 2:23–26 NIV).

Our Connection to Animals

By Rachel Indihar –

I have a new cat in my household who is hiding beneath my desk. After spending her entire life (six whole years) with a kind human family, she was dropped into a strange environment with a strange new person. She stopped crying after an hour and occasionally lets out a pitiful, low “meow.”

My research from books and the internet tells me to leave her alone. Unlike humans, cats need to be left to themselves when frightened and upset. New territory and new company may be invigorating to some of us, but to a cat who prides itself on dominating its territory, such a big change can be depressing.

I play soothing music and try not to look her in the eye (cats hate a direct stare because they can see it as confrontational). It seems to work: she is sleeping and appears content. I feel a strange empathy with this animal, a sort of “connection” with her. I, too, have wanted to hide underneath something large and cower until the situation changes itself. I have felt abandoned and depressed, watching as the world swirls around me and uncomfortable situations present themselves.

My research tells me that a cat brought to a new home can stay in hiding for days or even weeks. Eventually, however, the animal will start to wander around its new environment and claim its territory. And, of course, human and pet bonding should start to develop around this time. Does a cat eventually forget about its previous household and companions? I can’t answer that question, but millions of cat owners have acquired an adult cat from somewhere else with no (permanent) harm done to the animal.

What about our own lives? Are our own lives as predictable as a cat’s? Do we know that eventually we’ll feel comfortable enough to come out from underneath the desk and explore confidently? This is perhaps where our connection with animals ends, for our lives and minds are more complicated than a household pet’s. But is there something we can learn from my cat’s experience?

Sometimes our lives seem out of control, as if God has lost the map for our lives and He is steering us off-course. Is this true? The Bible says it is not, for God knows the number of our days and exactly what happens in each of them (see Psalm 139:16). Nothing is a surprise to Him, and in that is our lifelong hope.

God sees us when we’re hiding underneath the desk, and He beckons with love for us to come out and face life confidently. Remember all of God’s promises in the Bible concerning His loved ones: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2 NIV).

If God will never leave us and all of our days are in His capable hands, why do we even seek a hiding spot? For “God is our refuge and strength”, ready to hold our hand when we stumble and when we seek an escape.

God calls us by our own name, just like I call my cat by her name: Minou (which means “kitty” in French). Are we going to respond to the Lord when He calls us, or are we going to hide? The choice is up to us.

Boldly Go

By Hally Franz –

“To Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before.”

As the 13th motion picture of the Star Trek franchise is scheduled for a 2016 release, this charge still elicits thoughts of the unknown, adventure, danger, courage and fear. Only persons uniquely equipped qualify for those missions. Only the very elite dare travel to such untold places.

Likely the most significant unknown many of us will enter is the adventure we call parenting. Unfortunately, though, that particular journey is not always faced with the bold confidence displayed by our favorite Star Trek heroes. In fact, sometimes the bombardment of expert parenting information, unnerving financial expectations, and frightening news-making scenarios leave parents disabled and dumfounded. And, potential parents, after a bit of exploration, may decide to avoid the proverbial parenting abyss altogether.

Let’s consider these confidence killers. It’s great to read the latest advice in preparation for the birth of a child, but it’s equally important for young parents to keep things in perspective. The little fellows are resilient, and a precisely-orchestrated bedtime routine or an ergonomically-correct binky won’t matter much in the scheme of things. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Now, who of us hasn’t gotten caught up in the idea that kids need a perennial birthday bash or new clothes each school year (whether old ones fit or not) or a periodic room re-do or the newest phone or… or… or… It’s tough! We need to fight those feelings and get over it. They don’t!

The final threat to bold parenting is fear. Parents just can’t shake off worries about our children’s physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Rather than trying to escape terrifying thoughts, we should simply cling to His word for reassurance.

The Bible offers clear instruction about parenting. We are to love, train, discipline, and provide for our children. These four simple, and not entirely simple, tasks work together in the process of child-rearing. He prescribes this combination of ingredients to parents throughout time, and none of us should neglect or favor one component over the other.

While parents will, not may, encounter difficulties along the way, we should proceed boldly into the parenting realms with Him at our side.

PRAYER: Thank You, Heavenly Father, for parenting instruction provided in Your word. May we set aside doubts and fears, and courageously parent. For we are fully armed with Biblical guidance, fully supported by Your love.

“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28 KJV).

Ave Maria

By Cheri Cowell –

The Ave Maria is one of the oldest and most popular Catholic prayers, and is perhaps one of the most beautiful of Christmas hymns. The Ave Maria (Hail Mary) is of unknown origin; it was not officially incorporated into the liturgy (as part of the Rosary) until the 15th Century. It is composed of two distinct parts, a Scriptural part and an intercessory prayer.

The first part, the Scriptural part, is taken from the Gospel of St. Luke and joins together the words of the Angel Gabriel with Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary. The joining of these two passages can be found as early as the fifth and perhaps even the fourth century in the eastern liturgies. The opening word of the greetings translated “Hail,” literally has the meaning “rejoice” or “be glad.” The second half of the prayer (Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.) can be traced back to the 15th century where it first appeared in print after the Council of Trent.

Ave Maria has been set to music many times but its most famous version is that of Franz Schubert, who wrote it at age 27 for Walter Scott’s Lady of the Lake. According to Schubert, his friends were surprised at the deeply devotional character of the Ave Maria. Explained Schubert, “I think the reason for this is that I never force myself into devotion or compose hymns of prayers unless I am truly overpowered by the feeling; that alone is true devotion.”

PRAYER: Dear God, as Schubert, Elizabeth, and Mary did, I fall in adoration and am overcome by devotion at the gift You’ve given us in Christ. Today I stand amazed in how You used a frightened little girl to deliver the Christ child, and today You continue to use anyone who, like Mary, will humble themselves to be a vessel of the Most High God. May I be such a person.

“The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” “In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”” (Luke 1:28, 42 NIV).

The Ranks of the Bleary-Eyed

By Liz Cowen Furman –

As a child, I never understood why my Mom and Dad were such sleepyheads on Christmas morning. Then we had kids, and my husband and I joined the ranks of the bleary-eyed. (All despite heroic attempts to get everything done before midnight). Yet even in my sleep-deprived state, I could not believe the joy it gave me to watch our kids’ faces as they peered at the gifts under the tree. It was as though their smiles and delighted squeals transported me back to my own childhood Christmas mornings, only better.

One year, in a feeble effort to get more sleep, Dave tied a rope to the doorknob of the boys’ room and pulled it across the hall closing it in our door so that they couldn’t open theirs until we opened ours. We laughed ‘till we cried when the boys woke at 5:00 a.m. and couldn’t get their door open. You should have heard the ruckus. We still laugh about that every Christmas.

When I was a youngster, my parents gave the countdown and my sisters and I tore into the gifts all at once. Dave’s family took a different approach that once I adjusted to, I love also.

Here’s how it worked. Christmas music drifted through the room, everyone munched on gooey homemade cinnamon rolls and the adults sipped coffee, as the boys sorted and handed out the packages. Then, one at time, starting with the youngest, the opening began. It was such fun seeing what everyone received AND their reactions.

The smallest in the group could play with their gifts and their stocking contents that we all opened at once before we began, while the older ones carried on with the opening. The result was a lovely, relaxed family time punctuated by a few great laughs when someone would open one of Papa’s goofy gag gifts. We still practice this method today with our nearly grown children and whoever we are blessed to have under our roof on Christmas morn.

I never understood why, if it is Christ’s birthday, we get the presents. So, when our kids were little, we started a new tradition. We all wrote what we were giving to Jesus on a card to put in His stocking on the mantel. After all the gifts were opened, someone would read His last (He is the oldest). Notes like the one Micah wrote when he was about eight:

Dear Jesus,

For Christmas for You I bought a present for the family we adopted through Angel Tree.

Love, Micah

I loved those days when our kids were little, but having adult kids has its merits also. Like the fact that because they are so tired when they come home from college, we practically have to drag them out of bed on Christmas morning.

The traditions we kept over the years with our boys have become my fondest memories of the season. Like Baby Jesus’ birthday party and white elephant gift exchange on Christmas Eve or gingerbread house making parties.

When people whine that Christmas decorations are going up in the stores too soon, I’m thrilled. It means my kids will soon be home and that we will be celebrating my best friend Jesus’ birthday. What could be better? Merry Christmas!

« Previous Page — Next Page »