Christmas 2008

Hello Friends,

Ecc. 3:1 says, "Nothing is better for them than to rejoice and to do good in their lives." I write to you all on this first day of 2009 to rejoice and thank God for each of you and the lessons I have learned with you along this journey of life. I guess the older I get (no comment) the more reflecting I do with each passing day and the more sentimental it makes me. I have been reading the book of Genesis and I love the story of Joseph. Here was a man thrown into prison because Potiphar's wife said he tried to rape her....and he had done nothing wrong. He was sold by his brothers into slavery and then finally got a good position in Potiphar's house and then this wicked woman accuses him of something he didn't do and the poor guy is thrown into prison...again; two wrongs stacked against him. And then he interprets the cupbearer's dream and asks to be remembered when he gets out of prison and even the cupbearer forgets him. The Bible says in the next chapter that "after two years had passed...." Pharaoh had a dream and the cupbearer suddenly remembered Joseph and Pharaoh sent for him. Two years.....I wonder what he was thinking that whole time. I don't really wonder....I am sure I can guess. I am sure you could, too. "God has forgotten me...." or "God doesn't love me..." or "God doesn't hear my prayer...." or maybe just simply "why me?" Can't we all relate? But then comes the part about that story that I love the most. If you read the words of Pharaoh after Joseph is cleaned up and shaved and interprets Pharaoh's dream....well....it makes me realize exactly what I want for my life. Genesis 41 says that Pharaoh says to Joseph...."Can we find anyone like this man? The spirit of God is within him...." and he put him in charge of the entire country and gave him his most beautiful daughter as a wife. Isn't that sweet? Joseph wasn't sitting around sulking and feeling miserable while he was in jail...although who could blame him? He was spending time with the Lord. He was growing in His love and His devotion to the Almighty. His faith was tested and his strength was tried and he was clinging tightly to the One he knew would save and restore him. You know what words I desire to hear the most for my own life? "The spirit of God is within her." I don't want people to say..."poor girl...she's been through so much." I just want Jesus to shine from within me. That is what has come from my exile. My challenges. My sufferings. It isn't what I wanted, but it is everything I have needed. God has turned my brokenness and pain and heartache into a love for His word and a desire within me to really know Him. To really love Him and see His goodness and His providence and His grace. How awesome. (although I still whine sometimes...no comment on that, either! ha!) Looking back now, I really would not change a thing. I think back and remember all the times I have asked God to remove my trials and yet I am now so grateful for them. I love what Joseph says to his brothers at the end of Genesis, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done. The saving of many lives." What an attitude. I want to be like that. I believe God is preparing a great task for me and for you like he did for Joseph and I pray we are found spending time with the Father in preparation for it. Make us strong and courageous, Oh Lord. There are many lives needing saved today.

I pray I love and not hold back. I pray to always be a friend. I pray to live with no fear. I pray to live fully and completely each and every day, regardless of the circumstances I encounter. I want to drink in every drop of life. I want to take the bitter with the sweet. I pray to see heartache and be a comfort. I pray to feel joy and share great laughter. I pray to know tears and compassion for those who are dying in sin.

Here is a part of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs by Nichole Nordeman....and it is my prayer today for you and for me....

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view
If no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
Everything we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat

and we'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are bless'd beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace ...

But, Jesus, would You please ...

God bless, my sweet friends....and as my dad always used to say to me, "May the Lord bless and keep you, may His face shine upon you".....

Love you all,

Melissa