Month: December 2022

Me okay…

My grandson loves to bounce, climb, jump, and fall. In fact, we kept an old mattress in our living room for the majority of the year so that he could do all of those things a little more safely on the mattress.

His favorite way to play on the mattress was to jump from the back of the couch to the mattress. Sometimes, he nailed his landing. Sometimes, not so much. When he didn’t nail it, he would pop right back up and exclaim, “Me okay!”, with an enormous grin on his face. He would then get right back on the couch and try again.

We are saying goodbye to 2022 today. 365 days that God gave us. 52 weeks of memories. Like my grandson, I often bounced, climbed, jumped, and fell during this past year. Sometimes, I nailed my landing. Sometimes, not so much.

And here is the thing, tomorrow begins a whole new cycle in 2023. A brand new year to bounce, climb, jump, and yes, even fall. I have no idea what the year will bring; but I know who is sifting this new year through His Sovereign hands. God knows exactly what I will face. He knows exactly which landings I will nail, and He knows exactly which landings I will not. It is because of Him that I have the ability to pop back up and exclaim, “Me okay!”, with a grin on my face. God provides a safe landing every time. He sent His own Son to conquer the cross just so that I would not feel the sting of death. Because of Jesus, I will not be defeated. I am victorious! Oh yes, “Me okay indeed!”.

I think our battle cry for the New Year should be just that: because of Jesus, we are okay! Because of Jesus, we are not afraid to get back up and try again, even after failure, disappointment, loss, rejection, or even sin. And especially when we don’t nail the landing.

So, what do you say? Will you claim it with me as we walk confidently into 2023? “Me okay!” Because of Jesus, “Me okay indeed!”

“So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.”
Romans 8:31‭-‬39 MSG

The Polar Express….

We took my grandson to ride the Polar Express. He was so excited! From the moment he received his golden ticket to boarding the train, his enthusiasm was contagious. He loved the cookies, the hot cocoa, and he loved when Santa made his way down our passenger car. Our seats were the very last ones on the car; so when Santa stepped on board, my grandson stood up on his seat and started yelling, “Hey Santa! I’m right here! I need you!” It was hysterical! His anticipation of the moment that Santa would get to him was palpable. When Santa finally arrived at his seat, my grandson looked at him earnestly and answered all his questions. He even stood up for a picture with him.

The Advent season marks a time of anticipation for us as we wait for the miraculous birth of our Savior Jesus. I wonder if we are excited about this gift or if we have allowed the pressures of the season to distract us? Watching my grandson on the train was such an eye-opening moment! His little mouth cried out his biggest need in that moment. He needed Santa to see him!

I have a big need too, and so do you! We are in desperate need of a Savior! When I really think about it, I want to be just like my grandson this Christmas. standing up on my seat, joining the angels singing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14 NIV) I want to be calling out to Jesus, “Look at me Jesus! Here I am! I need you! I need Your light, Your hope, Your forgiveness, Your grace, Your sacrifice. Your joy!” As I look upon the face of that baby in the manger, I want to be filled with such excitement that I can not sit still. I want to look earnestly at His face and open my heart to His presence.

For me to proclaim my need for a Savior, it means that I have come face to face with my own sin and my inability to save myself. It means that I realize that my only hope is in that baby boy lying in a lowly manger that will grow up, stretch out His hands, and conquer death for me. It means that I am willing to place Him first in my life, trusting in His Sovereign will, his goodness and love, even when I don’t understand the circumstances that I am facing.

Yes, we are all in need of a Savior to see us. We are in need of a Savior to rescue us. We are in need of a Savior to love us without condition. And we receive this precious gift on Christmas. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 NIV

So, grab some hot cocoa and get on the train. We truly have the one and only golden ticket in Jesus. It’s the only ticket that matters. Happy Birthday Jesus! We need you!