Here's what I love: remembering.
On Monday I went for a run. I still don't consider myself a "runner" even though I've somehow worked my way up to running 5 miles at a time fairly regularly. I think that in order to be labeled a true "runner" you have to love running. You have to miss it when you can't do it. I enjoy being active, but I don't HAVE to run--I don't miss it if I haven't done it in a few days. (I do miss chocolate when I haven't eaten it in a few days.) Don't get me wrong, I do feel pretty happy when I am in the middle of a good run. When the weather is perfect and I am feeling strong (like when I am running down hill), running can be fun. I even like it when I first get going on a freezing cold day--maybe it's a tiny bit of pride in my dedication to exercise--*I* have just gotten out of my warm bed at 5:30 in the morning to go out in 27 degree weather to run at least 4 miles. Yay for me! It's pretty exciting. Then, I hit my first up-hill part of the run. That is when I decide running is dumb. I often walk up the hills when it gets too hard. I am a wimp.
Anyway, Monday's run was pretty good--I was feeling strong and even ran the whole way up this certain gradual hill, which usually kills me. I had just come to the top of another big hill when I glanced back. The scene behind me was so pretty, I had to actually turn and jog/walk backwards for a minute to take it in a bit more. In the distance were beautiful, rolling Nashville hills painted a dove gray and becoming more pronounced in the rising sun's morning spotlight. Then, my eyes focused on the path behind me--from my vantage point, I could see much of the roads I had just run. I could see two of the hills I had just come up. Though obscured by trees, I could picture the rest of the 3 mile course I had just run through the valley.
Instantly, I knew that God wanted me to take a glance back at the year I had just come through. 2010 has been a very eventful year for our family. Looking back, I can see God’s faithfulness to us: protection, answered prayers, and His guidance as we took exciting steps towards our move to Nashville. Though there are many examples of God’s hand in my life over the past year, two things really stand out.
The first was the preparation and sale of our house in Houston. As we looked at the task of putting our house on the market, I was more than a little bit daunted. I worried that our house wouldn’t sell. I often felt like I didn’t have the strength to complete all that had to be accomplished to make the house “show-ready.” It was like a hill up in front of me and I was weary just looking at it. However, through prayer and God’s strength, we were able to get the house completely ready and looking good to put it on the market. It sold in 4 days. God is so good!
The second thing that stands out was the joy of hearing that one of my dearest friends had accepted Christ. This was probably one of the best moments of my year. God truly gifted me with many opportunities to naturally tell about who Jesus is in my life. We had a certain ease of friendship and God was so faithful to continue to call her to Himself. I was honored to be used by Him in the process. Seeing my friend’s developing relationship with Christ was like running down hill, or being handed a piece of dark chocolate while out for a jog. It was a blessing too beautiful to forget.
Looking back at what God has brought me through creates a heart of thankfulness and strengthens my faith when looking ahead.
Deuteronomy 7:17-19 talks about remembering what God has done and allowing that truth to comfort you in the face of the next great trial.
“17 You may say to yourselves, “These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?” 18 But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. 19 You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.”
Here’s what I hate: a dark Christmas tree.
When I walk out into our living room in the morning, I see our dark Christmas tree looming in the corner. I have to plug it in right away. (We unplug it at night when we sleep lest it catch fire and burn the house down….I am not really sure this is possible, but better safe than sorry.) Anyway, Christmas trees are meant to be lit up with lots of tiny twinkle lights. I prefer white lights, but colorful lights are just as festive. The point is that a dark tree just looks wrong. Sure, it’s covered in thousands of ornaments and sparkly gold ribbon and beads, but without the lights it just looks like a an old lady wearing too much make-up. Matthew 5:14 tells us that Christians are the light of the world and they are to shine that light in the darkness rather than hide it under a bowl. Too often, I think that I am like a dark Christmas tree. Although I am robed in His light, I am not always plugged in as I should be. Instead, I rely on worldly charms and achievements that act as ornaments and beads. Sure, successes I’ve had can catch people’s eye. Maybe I have even given to someone in need, but if it’s done in my own strength, for my own glory, then it’s only as good as a cheap gold ribbon woven through the forest green branches of a dying shrub.
I can pile on the “ornaments” all I want, but the only thing that will make me truly beautiful is allowing the light of Christ to shine in my life.
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