Perplexing Paradoxes

I seem to accomplish more when I'm busy, perhaps that's because I have more to accomplish.
Blogging, however, seems to fall to the bottom of the "to-do" stack...partially because I feel like I have nothing to write about- even though there has been more going on. Does that make any sense? Not really.

Christmas was different this year. There were lots of reasons for that...no snow, being in a different house, Hospitality House (HH) going through transition, new HH directors and co-workers in the area, did I mention no snow?... For many different reasons, we decided to host a group of singles (and a couple of coworkers and their families) at our house for Christmas. I was a little intimidated to say the least, but Kyle and I both love Christmas...so, we knew that joy had to spill over onto them- even if everything went terribly wrong. Thankfully, there were no holiday disasters and we had a wonderful family Christmas. I say "family Christmas" because that is exactly what it felt like. We sat around in our comfy clothes and had breakfast together at the table, told stories of Christmases past, opened presents (including socks and batteries), laughed a lot- especially during our Nerf war, watched Christmas movies, played games and then ate lots of yummy food! Despite how different Christmas was this year- it really wasn't all that different. :)

It seems this season has been filled with paradoxes for me. Perhaps I will find a way to unscramble a few and clearly articulate them...and then again, maybe not.

Misunderstood Ministers

Have you ever felt misunderstood? Sometimes is just bad communication, unspoken expectations, or assumptions- lots of assumptions. It seems there are many positions that lend themselves to misunderstandings...being a driver, a friend, a family member, a wife, a military member, a missionary.

I love Christmas music, and lately in my musings about misunderstood ministers I have reflected more deeply on Mary and how she must have been misunderstood. A young girl who willingly follows the Lord, in spite of all of the ways other people would judge her. She accepted the gift of mothering the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing what people would think about her. What a highly honorable position she accepted at a great cost! She truly gave everything she had to follow God: her reputation, her relationship with Joseph, her livelihood, even her physical body and the remaining years of her life. What a confusing life that must have been with no one who could ever fully understand her experiences. How confusing it must have been to give birth to her Savior, and yet to raise Him as her earthly son.

There are many Biblical examples that bring encouragement to the misunderstood and the complicated lives of people. I take great comfort in them. Living as a missionary has been one of the most grueling challenges I have ever experienced. There have been incredible highs being on the front lines of changed lives and watching God provide in seemingly impossible circumstances, as well as gut-wrenching lows of disappointment. I'm sure I will share more musings of a missionary in the future, but I would ask you to consider missionaries or ministers in your sphere of influence. Would you consider sending them a note, an email or a text to encourage them today? Those bits of encouragement go a long way!