Isn’t it true that sometimes when we experience God, we can feel terrified? Whether we are busily about our duties (tending our sheep) or wandering far from where we should be - often our ‘experience’ of God can challenge us. God can be bigger than we expect, and bigger than we are prepared for.

Faith is not easy. Especially when we are called to believe in a God we cannot see with our eyes or hear with our ears. “Seeing is believing,” we say because it’s easier to believe in the visible as opposed to the invisible. “Show, don’t tell,” was one of the first things I learned about writing.

In the days of Christ this verse refences a long-time faithful prophetess, Anna who gave thanks for the birth of Jesus as she saw Him. Can you imagine gazing upon this child? They had anticipated this coming of the Messiah for many years to bring hope and redemption to their land.

Nearly sixty years had passed since Pompey annexed Judea. Under the iron heel of Rome, the world cried out for mercy. Israel’s faithful remnant prayed for deliverance and in response God sent His Son, born of a woman, under the law.

Think back to someone you have loved. If you had never seen them, how could you have loved them?

Even though I can’t see God physically, I do know He is real and working in my life. There are times when I feel a nudge or a whisper and immediately know it is God speaking to me. If a friend comes to mind, I try to reach out to them. Almost always, they say they needed some encouragement that day. God gave them a hug through me and gave me joy in the process.

This wonderful scripture from Jeremiah reminds me of a time long ago when I was searching for meaning in my life. At the time my dad had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. I had two small children and my husband had been laid off. If God was real, would He answer my prayers. I hoped so!

The eternal Son of God breaks through into our reality. He takes on flesh that we could behold His glory. This incarnation of the Messiah, the God-Man, has caused many to rise and many to fall.

The eternal Son of God breaks through into our reality. He takes on flesh that we could behold His glory. This incarnation of the Messiah, the God-Man, has caused many to rise and many to fall.

Life has many twists and turns; things don’t always turn out the way we imagine. We may have dreams that are shattered or surprises that are unexpected.

Numerous times in the Bible an angel speaks, “Do not be afraid.” So much is happening in this crazy world; how can we not fear? There is only one answer … God. He alone is sovereign over all creation AND HE LOVES US! If we believe this, then surely we can trust Him and not fear anything in this world. Trust, not fear!

Expecting the unexpected. Yes, this scripture I’m sure was on the lips of many who waited for a savior. Living in difficult times, governed by foreign men. Many hoped for and expected a savior with political power, to free them from the captors of their day. I wonder how many waited for the One who actually came. A Lamb slain, not for political freedom, but for spiritual freedom and life eternal.

Did the town of Bethlehem have a self-esteem problem? Perhaps not … it may be that they were just as God planned for them to be: small. While this prophecy acknowledges Bethlehem’s size, and the town’s unlikeliness for anything “big” to come from there, it’s more important that God declares, against all odds, “You are in My plan, and it’s gonna be big!”

The story of Christmas is littered with the daily. People were getting up and going to work. People were having to respond to government demands. People were getting married. And religious people were doing religious things. But then there was the unexpected.

I was introduced to holding space by women on a weekend and God used it to transform my life. In my mind’s eye, holding space is holding the door open for another, it is anticipating their movement into a new space. Holding space protects, it invites, it welcomes. Holding space involves hope and most definitely occupies the presence of God. Holding space is hospitality in a truly intimate form.

Have you ever told someone you would pray for them when they were going through a difficult time but really wished you could do more? I’ve been in that position and have wondered if my prayers really helped. Sometimes I’ve been on the receiving end of the prayers and thought to myself “someone must be praying for me right now because I have so much peace.”

Our lives are full of activity … job or career changes, transitions, family milestones (weddings, births), health challenges, etc. and many more diverse life events along the way. Our family recently celebrated the wedding of our youngest son about a month ago, and that was such a joyous and happy occasion!

Halftimes come in all our lives at different times and seasons. They are a time for us to pause, breathe, reflect, and ask the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and courage. Wisdom to know what is working, what is not working in our lives, and what needs to change.

Sometimes, just when you think nothing is going on beneath the surface, God is bringing things to fruition. Pre-COVID, the Opioid Crisis was referred to as hitting our nation like a pandemic. I was knee deep in training recovery coaches, a member of the Erie County Opioid Task Force, helping launch REGEN, working with the WNY Christian Medical and Dental Association, etc. Suddenly a new headline broke and stole the whole show.

Today I come to you with just a word of encouragement if you’re feeling like God isn’t around, doesn’t hear your prayers, doesn’t speak to you through your devotions, worship, or spirit; just know that He still loves you.