Giving the Greatest Gift

I have a new friend. A friendship that emerged from the furnace of adversity, crafted on a shared pathway through the valley of death. Almost 30 years ago, I fumbled my way through that awful, inky-black valley after the tragic death of our 7 month old daughter. My new friend has been groping for her footing through this valley for the past 85 unending days, trying to make sense of an insensible accident that tore the life of her beloved 18 month old boy from her family.

This growing friendship, this opportunity to retrace my own steps through death-valley, is sacred to me.  It’s  a tender gift from a Father who never left my side, Who healed my gaping wound so that I might now walk with one who is hemorrhaging. It is His compassion that flows when our hands lock when the blackness of this daunting terrain.

Some would call our unlikely meeting a matter of “Fate”. I choose to believe this friendship was brilliantly scored and orchestrated by a loving Father who not only sees us in our times of greatest need. He also sees to it that we are not alone!

This Christmas, the blazing announcement that glows brighter than all the glittering surfaces is this white hot Truth that God took on skin so that we would never be alone: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:23)

God with us.  No matter how bleak or black our situation, no matter what we face in life, we will NEVER be alone! It’s as impossible as defying gravity!

The shepherd-king David knew this to be true even in his darkest hour: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

David understood the importance of the rod and staff.  They affirmed the value a shepherd placed on each one of His sheep.  The rod was used to protect sheep from predators. The staff was a source of comfort, drawing and keeping the sheep close to himself.

Could it be, today, that God allows us to be His rod and staff in the daunting, dark valleys of hurting people all around us. Could you and I become His instrument of protection and comfort? That proof that God is with them?

Jesus didn’t simply arrive 2000 years ago, walk on earth for a brief 33 years, then leave us to try to navigate this hard journey alone. He promised, ” I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,[the Holy Spirit] to be with you forever.” (John 14:16 (ESV)

Another name for the Holy Spirit, this One He promised, is “Paraclete” which means, “One who is called to the side of another!”

This Christmas, in the midst of the harried busyness and endless lists of “to-do’s”, alert yourself to this Paraclete who has been asked to come alongside of you! May you experience security in His Love. Hope in His Love. Healing in His Love. Peace in His love. Forgiveness in His Love.

For when you do, The Paraclete will form you into a choice instrument of His love! This very Gift that was promised to you, this Gift that is always with you, is the Greatest Gift that can ever be given through you!

The truth is, “When we spend time with Him and others spend time with us, the net result is that they spend time with Him.” (Author Dick Foth)

Until we get this, we will miss the very heart of Christmas… We will also miss the opportunity to give the Greatest Gift of All!

Beauty Awaits…

Patty

———–

Questions to Ponder:

Why is the promise that God is “Immanuel”, God WITH you, meaningful this Christmas season?

Who do you need to take time to be “with” this Christmas season, in order that they might, as a result, spend healing time with Him?

Anchor of Hope:   When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  (Isaiah 43:2)