His Mother's Sister

This time of year I naturally think of the very first Christmas. I try to imagine what it would be like to get a visit from an angel, find out I'm pregnant, almost lose my fiance' and then have to travel far from home and give birth in a barn. Doesn't sound too fun. The focus many times is on Mary and it makes sense. I'm singing Breath of Heaven with two friends tomorrow night and the lyrics very much take us inside Mary's mind and how she may have felt. I'm glad that we now have some songs that talk about Joseph and the thoughts that must have been going through his mind. But this weekend I found myself wondering about Jesus' extended family. My niece McKenna turned one on the 21st. She is a bucket of fun for sure. She has a thousand expressions and each one of them priceless. I find myself watching her, just being herself and loving her more and more because of it. So Sunday was a big day, not only was she turning one with a big party, but she was also dedicated in church. We braved the icy conditions to watch my sister and brother-in-law promise to raise her in faith. Their prayer and the prayer of all of us, is that she come to know Christ as her savior. I had the rare pleasure of staying at my sister's house all weekend. I had a company Christmas party in the area Friday night and then stayed to help with decorations or whatever needed to be done. Saturday was my time to keep McKenna occupied. We had a lot of fun together. I kind of felt badly that Janelle and Brad were running around, cooking, fixing things, and I'm watching some imagination show with McKenna. But being a fantastic Aunt has it's price and I was willing to make the sacrifice. When it was time for McKenna's bottle I was told that she would probably fall asleep and I was glad because she is so active I don't get to hold her much. So, true to fashion, she sucked the bottle dry and fell asleep. I sat there and watched her for a while. Peaceful, still, quiet. I became tired myself and settled into the comfy chair. I closed my eyes and began to pray. I thanked the Lord for McKenna, what she means to me already in her short life so far. I praised God for his blessing, for her parents wanting to show her what it means to be a Christian. I prayed that she would someday come to know Jesus as her own. I prayed that she would be kept from harm, danger, terrible things too many in this world have seen. I prayed that when she faces rejection or disappointment she would always come back to the Throne of Grace for comfort. As I sat there holding her I began to cry. I realized it is because I love her so much. I realized it was because she would face rejection, disappointment, and there is no guarantee of her safety. It hit me how much is in the hands of God. How we must trust Him regardless of circumstance. I love each one of my nieces and nephews as much as I humanly know how. And knowing that it cannot possibly be as much as their respective parents love them is truly amazing to me. So all of those feelings I was feeling I imagine would be magnified exponentially. Still I do not discredit my love for this little one. So I began to wonder if Jesus had any aunts. I did some searching on the Internet and found John 19:25 "Now standing beside Jesus’ cross were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene." How many times I must have read this verse or heard in in an Easter message and never realized He had an Aunt. I don't know much more about her, but I know she was at the cross when he died. And as much as I always thought about Mary and how terrible it must have been to witness her son's death. I can relate to His mother's sister. I wonder how much fun she had with Him when he was a boy. If she tried to hang him upside down and kiss his forehead only to be told, please don't do that. I wonder if she was sad when she had to go home because she just wanted to stay and watch Him play. I wonder if she ever held him while he slept and prayed for Him. I wonder if she was there when he was dedicated in the temple and saw Anna prophesy over him and Simeon praise the Lord for seeing the face of His redemption. And I wonder if she pondered those things in her heart as well. I have a deeper appreciation for this woman because I am her mother's sister.

Time Time Time, What's Become of Me?

Last Friday marked the one year anniversary of my grandfather's death. Leading up to Friday, some of us in my family would remark on how it is almost a year already, or can you believe it is almost a year. It is strange. The year goes so quickly and yet it seems as though it was longer than that in some regards. Time is a funny thing. Sometimes five minutes seem like and eternity and then fifteen can go by in a second. It made me think how I still measure time and my Pop-Pop doesn't. I thought of a service at Pinebrook about twenty years ago. We sang "Every Day With Jesus, Is Sweeter Than The Day Before". As is the custom at some hymn sings the song leader asked for testimonies. He asked if anyone could agree with the song, any true life stories. My grandfather stood up and said he had been a Christian for over fifty years and every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. I'm ashamed to say this now, but at the time I thought it was nice, but wondered if he just said it so that the song leader would move on. I know better now, my grandfather would have just sat there and not said anything if he didn't believe it. And knowing him as I grew up, I could see that he really did believe it. Perhaps the most wonderful thing is that I can see that becoming true in my life. I look back over the year and see how sadness a year ago has been turned into rejoicing for a loved one gone home. How in years past I've seen God provide in ways I could never have imagined. How it is Him and me for life. What better gift could I be given in this life. And while my sweeter than the day before is still going on, my grandfather is in the sweet by an by. I cannot imagine what it will be like to not look forward to anything. I look forward to family gatherings, holidays, bonuses, all sorts of things. But to finally be perfectly content in Heaven will be a feeling never experienced on earth. It doesn't get any better than Heaven. I just think that is a really wonderful thought.