Luke 1:24-25

Every weight.All of it.He saw your shame.He felt your pain.He knows it hurt then and still hurts now.He sees you even as you suffer.A Dream DeferredWhat happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?~The poem "Harlem" by Langston HughesSandwiched between the Harlem riots of the 1930's and 40's and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, Langston brilliantly pens the collective yet intimate hopelessness of a people whose aspirations of a new beginning never make it to term. Aaron, commanded by God not to grieve but continue his priestly duties after losing two of his sons due to an unholy sacrifice, understood living with a loss.Do we?The Father witnesses every trial we go through, paying special attention to how we respond.Do I drawer nearer to God's presence, or turn away in times of pain?Am I quick to take matters into my own hands, or let God be God?Elizabeth has me thinking...Lay Down Every WeightWhat seemed like a loss to others for both Aaron and Elizabeth became a dream deferred but come true when God saw them each press through pain for the sake of his purpose. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” ~Luke 1:25 NIVI wonder what could we accomplish if we worried less about views from man and more about how we are seen by God?There is a favor that awaits us on the other side of suffering and service, and it begins with God seeing us and how we wait:Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying,“God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”?Don’t you know anything?…

Every weight.All of it.He saw your shame.He felt your pain.He knows it hurt then and still hurts now.He sees you even as you suffer.A Dream DeferredWhat happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?~The poem "Harlem" by Langston HughesSandwiched between the Harlem riots of the 1930's and 40's and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, Langston brilliantly pens the collective yet intimate hopelessness of a people whose aspirations of a new beginning never make it to term. Aaron, commanded by God not to grieve but continue his priestly duties after losing two of his sons due to an unholy sacrifice, understood living with a loss.Do we?The Father witnesses every trial we go through, paying special attention to how we respond.Do I drawer nearer to God's presence, or turn away in times of pain?Am I quick to take matters into my own hands, or let God be God?Elizabeth has me thinking...Lay Down Every WeightWhat seemed like a loss to others for both Aaron and Elizabeth became a dream deferred but come true when God saw them each press through pain for the sake of his purpose. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” ~Luke 1:25 NIVI wonder what could we accomplish if we worried less about views from man and more about how we are seen by God?There is a favor that awaits us on the other side of suffering and service, and it begins with God seeing us and how we wait:Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying,“God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”?Don’t you know anything?…

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” or so says Andy Williams in his 1963 hit from The Andy Williams Christmas Album. This year desperately needs a “wonderful time.” I have witnessed a broad spectrum of reactions to the holiday season in 2020. Some are working harder than usual to enjoy Christmas this year. Others……