Month: January 2023

There is a layer of snow and ice outside. A warm fire is burning and everyone is grateful for a change from the normal schedule. It all feels like the Christmas season and brings to mind the story too. Today, the part about the star the wisemen saw, comes to mind. These men saw this particular star, that stood out in some way, and it ended up leading them to where Jesus was. This star was doing what it was made to do. It was created, called by name and assigned a place to shine. The big moment arrived and worship of the Savior was the result. I wonder if it had been waiting to be made visible since the creation of the world? Did night after night arrive, but it’s name was never called? Maybe it knew the purpose all along, to lead others to the One that made them too.

Our youngest daughter painted rocks at church on Sunday. She was most excited about the paint because it glows in the dark. At home she took me into the pantry to show me their glow. I thought of these rocks the next morning, as I was reading in Joshua. One man from each of the twelve tribes was instructed to go back and pick up a stone from the midst of the Jordan River, whose water rose up in a heap, creating a dry path for the Israelites to walk right through to the other side. They took the stones as an act of remembrance for the generations to come.

Maybe you have stones of remembrance too, each a reminder of something only God could have done. I wondered if maybe I need to paint ours with glow in the dark paint for when times appear dark. When tempted to be discouraged, we could catch the glow of a stone and remember God was with us then and is with us now. Very encouraging!

One more lesson from the fallen tree seems right for today. Because sometimes when something is uprooted, there is more to learn. In this case, a piece broke off the fallen tree and was wedged deep into the ground. It took my husband two hours to dig the piece up and he saw there was even more damage done. A couple of sprinkler pipes were broken and wires disconnected as well. I had to ask if this meant anything? Was there something else that needed removing in me? The answer came in Bible study, a bit of rebellion remained in my heart. Out it came and the repairs were made. Maybe more of the Living Water can flow, to overflowing is what I am asking for, and to become more childlike in trust.