A journey in creativity and faith

Category: Rejoice (Page 3 of 3)

The similarities between pregnant women and eager evangelists

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. (Luke 1:30-31)

Have you ever wondered how the story about Mary had sounded if it was written by a woman? I mean Mary was a special woman of faith, but I do believe she was a human being and had the same thoughts, feelings, joys and struggles, which normally follows a pregnancy. Mary was pregnant with the son of God. She was full of joy, and I imagine she felt both the impatience and joy of expectation like many women feel when they realize they are carrying a new life, a human being.

I remember the first time I felt the tiny toes kicking the inner side of my skin, and the first time I saw and heard the baby’s beating heart. My body changed, and my divine Father created a life and blessed it. He possessed and wrought my son’s reins. His love and life from above became real. I rejoiced, but the 9 months were longer than many other periods of my life. I was impatient because I could not wait to get rid of morning sickness and heartburn, and I could not wait to hold my son in my arms and see his smile.

When my due date was getting close, I tried to induce labor, but it was not in my power to do so. Only God knew when it was time.

Baby

Did this experience teach me that I have no power or control?

No. Now, seven years later, I’m pregnant again – though not with a child, but the gospel. God gave me a desire to tell the gospel, and I felt the same joy of expectations as I did when I was pregnant. I was like a child, who can’t wait to get her Christmas gifts. I was eager to tell the gospel, so I went on my own and I gathered other Christians in a group, and it was fantastic.

One day a person in the group came with a message, which I felt, did not belong in my Christian community. I was shocked and felt paralyzed. Luckily, a few good friends helped me find the right direction and set guidelines for our group. I’m thankful for my friends’ help and support. I had moved forward too quickly.

I have now learned I cannot hasten a birth of God’s divine messages or accelerate God’s actions in me or through me.

I must rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7).

I should wait because I am a lifelong student at the school of life and Christ’s way. I can’t accelerate the speed of my feet to prepare the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15), and my body, mind and heart have limits. There are other tasks and people in my life, which need my time, efforts and love. I must wait and be patient.

I must remember the small ways I can tell the gospel, and may God help me love and serve my neighbor. The small things matter: prayers, smiles, holding a door, listening, being generous and giving thanks.

A letter from me to you

Note: this is an answer to a prompt given by the writer, James Prescott. The prompt goes: Write a letter from your older self to your younger self.

 

This is the first time I am doing this, and I don’t know if I’m doing it right, but I’ll try anyway.

Dear you

I am in a nice place now. Actually, it’s a fantastic place.

Before I arrived, I had to wait for a long time. I was tired, half-asleep, half-hopeful, half-afraid of walking on the dark road, but I didn’t give up.

I made it to a door. I asked myself: “Have I walked in the right direction? Is this the right door?” I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. The door was opened immediately. A strong light met my eyes. I came into the arms of a light brighter and warmer than the sun.

A tall strong man met me. “Come inside,” he said, “don’t be afraid.”

Now I lie in the soft green pastures, listening to the gentle tones of the still waters.

Grandmother tells me to say hello. We have just had dinner. We sang the prayer “All good gifts around us”. Do you remember this song?

All good gifts around us
a
re sent from heaven above;
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
for all his love.

 (All good gifts around us by Jane M. Campbell)

 

I don’t know what more to tell you…Do you know that you are loved?

 From me

 

I am about to seal the envelope and give it to Gabriel when he looks at me and coughs. Then I remember. I open the envelope and add:

Do you know that you are loved? John 3:16

 From me

 

I watch Gabriel fly away with the letter to my heart in 2014. I hope I will remember just a few words of the letter when I wake up.

 

8 types of gifts I can’t live without

I found out Canada is celebrating Thanksgiving right now, Happy Thanksgiving to Canada. In a short while, other countries will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Soon there will only be two months until Christmas. However, there is always a time for thankfulness.
Tak, danke, merci, gracias and thanks. It is a small word, which often seems insufficient, but it comes from a wealth of thoughts and feelings. The word covers a thankfulness, an appreciation, a joy, and an acceptance. I wish I was more generous. I wish I was more thankful, also in hard times.

I try to teach my children to say thank you when they receive a present. Nevertheless, even if they do not say thank you with their voice, their smile and joy show gratitude. My children are always happy when they get a present. I hope they will become grown-ups saying thank you, and that presents will still make them happy. Hopefully, they will never deny a present.

1. The best gifts are free. They may come unexpected, and the giver might not think about repay or getting anything back. A thank you and a smile can be enough for the giver. The best gifts are the things you wished for a long time, or things you did not know you wished or needed. The best gifts are the thoughts behind the gifts.

2. The best gifts are a smile, a hug, a person listening to me, showing interest, encouragement, comfort, or helping. The best gifts are letters and personal e-mails.

3. The best gifts are people accepting my gifts and help.

4. The best gift is you, my reader. To a writer or an artist it means the world to be seen or heard. When my words are read, I know there’s not a risk they will drown in my brain and heart or vanish in the universe. Someone has read my words. She or he has seen my message.

5. The best gifts are sunshine, mountains, waterfalls, birdsong, butterflies, flowers, autumn leaves, crickets, ladybirds, art, music and literature.

6. The best gifts are food on the table, a warm bed and a roof, a good health, and my family and friends.

7. The best gifts are my legs, arms, hands, eyes, ears, mouth, head, lungs, heart, blood, and pulse.

Sky

8. The best gift is the love from God, my creator, savior and father. He endures my doubts, envy, jealousy, desires, confusion, fears, worries, and unfaithfulness. He endures my darkness. When I ran away and chose other paths, he waited for me and bid me a warm welcome when I returned to his arms. His grace is free. He died for me. Lord, I pray I will never leave you.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

Did I miss your language’s word for “thank you”? Let me know. Are you a generous and thankful person? Share in the comments.

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