Caught in a Blizzard

By Carin LeRoy –

It doesn’t take long for life to take a turn for the worst. On a recent vacation, everything was going smoothly—the flight, the car rental, and the five-hour drive to the Colorado Mountains. We’d heard a blizzard was on the way, but hoped to reach the cabin before dark. The weather was great, and we were making good time. However, the last 15 miles of the trip the weather moved in fast, and we landed in the middle of a blizzard. On the final drive up the steep mountain road, the wheels spun and the car refused to go. All efforts to move proved futile. We were stuck in a snowstorm.

Finally, my husband said, “We’ll have to walk.”

“What? Are you kidding me? Walk in a blizzard?” I asked. Suddenly, my home in the Florida sunshine seemed way better than this. With no other option, the three of us bundled up and started walking, even though we had no clue where we were headed. With my husband leading the way, he turned onto the first drive he found.

“How do you know this is right?” I asked as he moved ahead without hearing me.

Not wanting to be left behind, I followed…and followed. The altitude of 9,000 feet sucked all air from my lungs as my body screamed to breathe. I trudged up the hill at a Grandma Moses pace while my husband and son marched ahead. We walked what seemed an eternity with nothing but trees and snow in sight. Praying, I hoped we would not end up lost in a blizzard. Finally, a dimly lit house came into view. Slogging through the last of the snow, I reached the front door and pulled the key from my purse. It opened, and relief was evident as we walked through the door.

Life can suddenly change. Instead of normalcy, we find ourselves caught in a huge storm of life. Scared and confused, we head into life’s unknown territory. We may even question God or wonder if we’ll survive the difficulty. All we can do is pray and follow. I am reminded of the verse in Jeremiah 17:7 that says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” Although my husband wasn’t sure where he was headed in that blizzard, we can rest assured that God knows how to lead us down life’s path. Just follow.

PRAYER: Lord, when life’s storms come, help me to keep trusting, praying and following You. Keep me mindful that my confidence rests in You.

“The Lord will continually lead you; He will feed you even in parched regions. He will give you renewed strength, and you will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring that continually produces water” (Isaiah 58: 11 NET).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale, mother of three grown children and one high school teenager. She has served as a missionary with PIONEERS since 1982. Her passions are family, playing and teaching piano, missions, and writing stories that show glimpses of God.

The Stockings Were Hung

By Carin LeRoy –

As a little girl, my favorite Christmas tradition in our house was the stockings. My Mom made the whole family stockings decorated with different holiday-themed objects sewing on sequins, beads and putting our name on each one. Every December, she would hang them on our staircase. Each year I would anticipate the little gifts I’d find in it. I loved getting up early on Christmas morning and looking in my stocking. We’d find several little treasures hidden inside.

When I got married my Mom gave my Christmas stocking to me. I decided I wanted to carry on the tradition in our family and began to make my own husband and children a green felt stocking, complete with holiday-themed figures. I sewed on sequins and beads and wrote their name in glitter on each of their stockings, just like my Mom did. Even when we lived overseas, I still carried those stockings with me. Although I was thousands of miles across the ocean, those stockings still reminded me of home.

When my daughter married, she took hers and now carries on the same tradition. The only difference is that I’m sewing the stockings for her family. Every time she has a child, she wants me to create another green felt stocking. Three generations in my family have grown up with homemade stockings lovingly made by someone in the family.

As we move into this Christmas season, let’s remember some of the traditions that we’ve grown up with and share them with our children and grandchildren. Christmas isn’t all about the gifts, the busyness or the decorations. It’s about family, tradition and the birth of a Savior. Let’s remember the reason we celebrate in the first place—the miracle of the birth of Jesus and the reason He came to earth.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for this Christmas season. Help us to enjoy our family and traditions, but remember that the birth of Your son is the reason we celebrate.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1: 21 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale and mother of three grown children and one almost-grown teenager. She has been a missionary with Pioneers since 1982. Her passions are family, missions, piano, and writing to challenge others to live faithful lives for God.

An Uncommon Birth

By Carin LeRoy –

This would be an unusual Christmas. It was the first time that I had not been with my family. My husband and I were far away in a country overseas working as missionaries. Everything was different—the people, the weather and the food. Instead of having family around, we were in a strange new culture. Instead of enjoying brisk winter weather, we were enduring temperatures hovering around 100 degrees. Instead of sweet potato soufflé, pecan pie and a huge turkey with dressing, we had to adjust the menu. This Christmas would be different.

Although I missed my family, God gave us a new family to celebrate with—fellow missionaries who were also serving. We spent a few days together celebrating and preparing a special meal. We exchanged simple presents with one another. Even though everything was different, we began to create our own traditions within the culture where we served.

Imagine what Christ went through to leave heaven and be born as a tiny baby on earth. He wasn’t welcomed as God or born in a place of luxury. He deserved both. He was born in a stable among the animals and placed in a trough where their feed normally went. His mother and father were humble villagers. Even His birth was announced only to three shepherds in a field. Most didn’t notice His birth or the catalyst that it was for all of mankind.

Here was God in human form. Instead of the fanfare that He deserved, He came from heaven to become the Son of a poor family. Only a few knew and understood the truth about His birth. His humble beginnings end with the most powerful story ever told—A God that sacrificed His only son, a Savior that loved enough to die and a gift given to all who believe. It’s not the presents, the parties or the holiday food that makes Christmas so special, it’s the Savior born in a manger.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for leaving heaven to come and be born in a manger. As I celebrate this Christmas, keep me mindful of the real reason we celebrate.

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger’” (Luke 2: 10-12 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale and mother of three grown children and one almost-grown teenager. She has been a missionary with Pioneers since 1982. Her passions are family, missions, piano, and writing to challenge others to live faithful lives for God.

Praying the Small Stuff

By Carin LeRoy –

I remember as a little girl that my Mom would pray about all the trivial things in life. Like, “Lord, can you help me find a parking spot?” Sure enough, we’d find the perfect place. Or, “Lord, can you help me find my keys?” Growing up, I used to think it strange that my mother would pray about such things, and even thought it was silly. I thought we could figure those things out without bothering God. But as I grew older I realized that God does care about even the smallest concern, and He loves for us to involve Him in our lives.

For my daughter’s wedding a few years ago, I needed to find yards and yards of material to decorate the reception. Being on a tight budget, I decided to look in Wal-Mart at their discounted fabrics. Praying hard, I walked over to the $1.00 per yard table. Sure enough, there were several bolts of a white material and the perfect color for her table centerpieces and runners for the buffet table. I walked out of the store spending less than $50 for everything I’d bought. Her wedding reception was beautifully decorated with all the inexpensive material. I don’t doubt that God helped me find exactly what I needed for the price I could afford.

I believe God loves to orchestrate things for us. Imagine my surprise and delight when I found exactly what I needed. I also believe that God was smiling when He had answered my prayer and made my day. I am reminded of the verse that says, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry” (Psalms 34:15 NIV). God hears our prayers no matter what our concern might be. I believe He loves to answer them. It’s another one of the ways that He shows His power and love for us.

Do you think to pray about the little things in your life? Let’s remember to ask God even about the small stuff. God would love to surprise you with an answer!

PRAYER: Father, thank You that You are concerned about small things going on in my life. Keep me mindful that You love to surprise me with answers to my prayers. Help me to include You more in my daily life and concerns.

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him” (I John 5:14,15 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale, mother of three grown children and one high school teenager. She has served as a missionary with PIONEERS since 1982. Her passions are family, playing and teaching piano, missions, and writing stories that show glimpses of God.

Intricate Creation, Magnificent God

By Carin LeRoy –

Recently my family and I went to the Florida Aquarium. It was inspiring to see the many underwater creatures, but that day I was fascinated with the sea horses. One in particular caught my attention, the leafy sea dragon.  He was camouflaged to look like a plant floating around. As I watched him in the tank, I was amazed at God’s creative design, and amused by His ability to make a living thing look like a plant to help protect it from prey.

From snow-capped mountains to a majestic waterfall to a newborn baby, we see His handiwork.  The intricacies of His artistic skills are everywhere. A delicate flower with its tiny petals, stamen and colors all beautifully woven together create an exquisite work of art. The vastness of the oceans with myriads of creatures swimming in its depths causes us to wonder all they contain.

God has a great sense of humor in many of His creations. My polka dot plant with its pink spots, the giraffe with his long neck, the zebra with his stripes, or the prickly porcupine with its quills protruding are a few that make me smile. Who would have ever thought to make a cuddly-looking skunk with the ability to spray stink for ten feet? Or a turtle that carries his home on his back that retreats into it when threatened?  The platypus is another unlikely creature. He is a semi-aquatic mammal that lays eggs and looks like the mixture between a duck, a beaver and an otter.

God gives evidence of His presence. Everywhere we look we see His hand. I often wonder how people can ignore the presence of a living God when He has left His fingerprints in every corner of our world. Just as His word says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1 NIV).  As we go through the day, let’s remember that God is worthy of our honor and praise. The same mighty God that created all these living things is the same God that has power to work in your life today. Let’s worship Him by giving Him the praise He deserves.

PRAYER:  Lord, when I look at Your creation and all Your intricate designs, I am in awe of Your power, for You are great and mighty. Thank You that I am Your child, and You created me to reflect Your glory. Help me, today, to give You the honor You deserve.

“How many are Your works, O Lord! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which You formed to frolic there. These all look to You to give them their food at the proper time. When You give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things” (Psalm 104: 24-28 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale, mother of three grown children and one high school teenager. She has served as a missionary with PIONEERS since 1982. Her passions are family, playing and teaching piano, missions, and writing stories that show glimpses of God.

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