Dec 6, 2013 | South Africa, The Good Word
Last night, Mark and I read the news for the first time — that South Africa lost her greatest son, as Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95. In South Africa, he was affectionately referred to by two special names from the Xhosa language: his tribal name, Madiba, and Tata, meaning father. Perhaps no country has ever felt so close to a democratic president as to refer to him with such genuine and lasting affection.
The world has not forgotten that the greatness Mandela consistently exhibited was forged in a crucible few others will experience. His twenty-seven year imprisonment provided a case study in human relationships, and I imagine Madiba, in his heart, was taking very good notes. He learned to see his oppressors as fragile humans, he learned their language and culture, but he stood for a vision that meant he held fast to see it accomplished — he even turned down one opportunity to get out of prison.
Like Joseph, imprisoned for all those years before he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, I wonder if he clung to the belief that his imprisonment had a great purpose.
Indeed, it did.
Finally, he walked to freedom in a way that “set in motion a chain of events that would lead to free and fair elections and majority rule [in South Africa] four years later.” {Source}
At the end of his memoir, he wrote about his release from prison:
The truth is that we are not yet free. . . . We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and even more difficult road. For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
Mandela saw forgiveness as a path to healing for a torn-apart nation. Under his leadership, the country avoided erupting into absolute state failure during the days of government transition, while the world watched and wondered — it looked like a simmering pot about to boil over.
What a challenge the words he wrote and the life he lived are to all of us. Can those of us who’ve found freedom in Christ strive to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others? Do we too often confuse political freedom with the true freedom a man can experience in his soul — I imagine it’s a freedom Madiba found, while still imprisoned.
It is a sad time to say good-bye to a man who was a warm light and a shining example to us all. I pray for the beautiful country he left behind. {The image above is a view from Gordon’s Bay, looking toward Cape Town — it hangs above the fireplace in our home and serves as a reminder.}
Dear friends in South Africa, know that so many around the world are truly holding you in our hearts.
The journey is indeed not over for us collectively — but with the time we have left, we can endeavor to honor and prefer one another.
I believe in the power of the church in South Africa — to continue to tear down the color lines and to continue to endeavor together to live humbly, love the poor, hold on to hope and believe the truth. I’ve seen the beauty of the Rainbow Nation worshipping and I believe her best days are still to come.
The world lost a great light yesterday — let us remember his example, treasure the memory of the way he walked, his grace. And let us remember the season we lost him — the season we celebrate the Light of the World’s first appearing, the season that brings us hope that even if this world sometimes feels broken, broken, broke, yet still there is hope, always hope.
We thank you for your example, Madiba. You truly made the world a better place.
xCC
Dec 2, 2013 | The Christmas Story
Hi guys and gals! As we count down the days to Christmas, I’m looking forward to writing about The Christmas Story. Not “A Christmas Story” with Ralphie in the bunny pajamas, although I love that movie, but The Christmas Story, the coming of the long-awaited Messiah nearly two thousand years ago.
But first, I need to ask your forgiveness for my delay in picking a winner for the {Minted} Giveaway! We were traveling back from Thanksgiving in Atlanta and it totally fell off my radar! So, powered by Rafflecopter and Random.org, here is the randomly-selected winner of $50 at Minted:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Congratulations, Debbie!!! I’ll be emailing you the details so you can head over to Minted and enjoy choosing something from their beautiful collection!
And a big thank you to all who entered! I hope you enjoyed checking out the unique stuff on Minted’s site and please keep dropping by, I think we’ll have another giveaway soon! Now on to The Christmas Story…
***
It’s funny that the stories of each of my small people’s births start in the night, or perhaps, more specifically, the early wee hours of the morning when it’s still dark. The Bear’s marathon labor all began with my water breaking very early one morning, and the Belle’s sprinting arrival jumpstarted with contractions around three or four AM.
Most especially our darling Tank was a late night arrival — and we were so grateful. The empty streets at 2 am were what allowed us to rush to the hospital, and what made it possible for me to give birth in the hospital instead of in the car on the way to the hospital, which seemed like it was going to be the case.
It was strange to consider: while the world around us was sleeping, this big event had taken place. Our friends and family would wake up to hear the news: the six-days-overdue little Tiger of ours, or the Bear who arrived exactly on his due date, or the Belle who definitely took her time and then made haste, each finally made their lovely appearance.
Luke’s account of the Birth of Jesus tells us that He made a similar appearance, that while they were in for the census, “the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
Next, “there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” And to them, the angels appeared, declaring the Good News of the arrival of the Messiah, the Lord.
It is worth stopping to wonder — why was Jesus born at night? Why not during the day where more people might’ve been awake to hear the news or see the angels?
Perhaps it was partly for His own protection — knowing there was a King waiting to find this very child and put an end to the beginning of the change of history forever. The less people who knew about the Christ’s arrival — in this fragile, early stage — the better.
Perhaps it was protective for Mary and Joseph as well — the animals in the stall serving as the only witnesses to this miracle-made-flesh.
I wonder if it wasn’t also for you, and for me, too.
Jesus was born at night and it’s easy to notice the symbolism. The stage was set on one dark and Holy Night for the Light of the World to arrive into a world of darkness. A world that deeply and desperately needed a Savior.
Many of us would say these are dark days — we fear the decisions of our governments, we see children starving halfway around the world or around the corner, we watch the news of how 10,000 people can lose their lives in a single day, due to a single Super-Storm crashing onto their shores.
But those days were dark, too. The people of Israel waited, desperate for a Messiah to deliver them from political oppression. On the throne sat a king willing to wipe out a giant mass of baby boys in order to secure his place of power.
The Light of the World didn’t just arrive into the literal darkness of night. He also appeared on the scene of a dark night of the collective souls of the people He would deliver.
And the truth is right there: He didn’t just set the stage for the greatest life ever lived. He set a pattern for how He first operated, and how He continues to operate.
Jesus arrives in the dark night of the soul. He arrives in the dark places where we see no hope, we see no way out.
He brings His powerful presence into the situation. And though we might not at first perceive that He has arrived, or that He is at work, yet things have absolutely changed forever — already.
He arrived, with Presence, as I sat on the floor of a hotel room on one of the darkest nights of my soul — knowing that, short of a miracle, the loss of my Dad was imminent. His Presence didn’t immediately change the reality of the situation, 2,000 years ago or seven months ago.
But His arrival was a sign of Hope that brought great Peace. Like a voice declaring:
Behold — deliverance is at hand. Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel voices.
Something spectacular is taking place.
Perhaps that first arrival is also an important foreshadowing of the second: one glorious day, He will come again. On that occasion there will be no mistaking Who is making an appearance. And everything will be set right for all eternity.
But for now, let’s not miss the meaning of that great Light, arriving in the darkness.
Remember, dear ones, when you are in the midst of a dark night of the soul, when you’re in a dark place, the stage is set for His arrival. Turn your gaze ever so slightly — like a shepherd looking up at the sky at night — and I trust you’ll get a sense of the One who can bring Peace into every situation, the One who is always with us.
The One the named God With Us.
He was with us, in the dark, long ago, and — glory, glory, absolutely Hallelujah — He still is.
xCC
Nov 28, 2013 | The Good Word
It seems like the clever scheme of a cunning enemy — the thick and looming web of consumerism, woven to cast an eerie fog over a holiday completely rooted in not shopping and the getting of many things, but in taking stock, counting blessings, giving thanks for what you already have.
Be sober and vigilant, dear ones, to savor and guard this as a time of cultivating gratefulness, treasuring togetherness, and focusing on the people, (and not the things), that matter most.
Take this moment – this one right here – to slow down, look up, see good and give thanks. It is fitting to begin a season of celebrating the coming of the Light of the World, by giving thanks.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. {Psalm 100:4}
Welcome to the Holidays, friends.
xCC
Nov 25, 2013 | Giveaways
I’m totally pumped to share this gorgeous company I just made the acquaintance of with you guys. AND equally pumped that one of you will win $50 to spend however you please at their magically delicious website.
The company is called Minted, and they are about the business of uncovering design genius — connecting designers around the world with savvy shoppers one sale at a time. They have a B-E-A-YOU-tee-ful selection of Christmas Cards and SO, SO, SO much more.
On my first visit, I drooled over all the funky and stylish fonts, the unique and dapper card shapes, the swoon-worthy chalkboard backgrounds (personal fave) and just how polished and snazzy every. single. card. on the shelf seemed to be!
Look at these!
I even checked out the Non-Photo Holiday Cards {shocking for this second-shooting photography-loving gal, right?} and fell in love! First with this “Year in Review” card:
And then I broke up with that card because I fell in love with this one:
which could only be more perfect if that lovely Range Rover looked slightly more like our slightly beat up mini-van. Or good old Mr. Potato Head. {Yes, I still miss that car.}
Classy simplicity, you get my vote.
Then I started perusing some of the other magical stuff on their site, like their Children’s Art Prints. And when I discovered I could CUSTOMIZE their gorgeously designed art prints, I promptly created this one, fainted, and then got back to playing around on their site.
Is that magic or what???!!!
I’ve gone on long enough, haven’t I? Totally not like me, huh?
So any who, here’s the skinny on this Minted Giveaway. There are three ways to enter, and I was feeling generous, so I decided leaving a comment after visiting the Minted website counts twice. It’s laid out for you plain-and-simple inside the delightful Rafflecopter widget, graciously appearing below. Just make sure you interact with/click on that widget and don’t just leave a comment. That’s important.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
That’s it for now, guys and dolls! One randomly selected winner will be announced after the giveaway ends at midnight on Thanksgiving, this Thursday!
And I’ll have more love from here for you soon… promise.
xCC
Disclosure Statement to Keep it on the Up and Up: Minted.com gave me a $50 credit to use at their magical website. But the opinions inside this post are absolutely my own. I consistently endeavor to tell it like it is.
Nov 15, 2013 | Giveaways, The Good Word, The Parenthood
Not interested in small talk? Scroll to the bottom of this post to see the Goosewaddle Giveaway winner!
Last night, after dinner, I felt like I was coming to the end of a loooong day of mistakes. I’d forgotten to put the stirring wands in the bread maker, and as you can imagine, if the ingredients get baked without being stirred, bread doesn’t happen. While out shopping with the Bear, I’d bought the wrong size belt for the Bear. Narrow-waisted little fella’s pants are falling down… And, I opted for sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes as a topping for a yummy dinner and that just. did. not. work. {What was I THINKING??}
We’d encouraged the kids to consume the almost-inconsumable meal I’d created, which took forever to make and made us late putting the kids to bed, and I was sitting there for a moment while the Belle was finishing up something other than the dinner, which she was kind enough to completely refuse.
I commented, mostly to myself, but aloud and in earshot of the Bear who was still at the table, “MAN I made a LOT of mistakes today.”
He immediately got down from his chair, walked over to me and gently put a hand on my back and said:
It’s okay if you behaved badly today. Tomorrow is another day and you can try again.
Then, he gave me a big hug and said, “I love you, Mama.”
Even if I made a dozen mistakes throughout the day, his kindness and thoughtfulness in choosing words for me I’d carefully chosen for him before reminded me maybe the Hubs and I are getting more of the big things right than we think.
This morning, the Belle woke up one year old. It is always hard for the moment to sink in — when a year has passed since a little one first graced your family with their presence. And so much has happened since the Belle’s Record-Breaking, Beautiful Arrival, it kind of feels like she’s been with us longer.
I am so certain this year would’ve been so different, if her joyful presence wasn’t here. Her fragile, tiny life, just beginning carried a significant message for me:
The days pass quickly, and tomorrow has a face you haven’t seen yet. Breathe deep and live full today.
Our three small people — often viewed by the world as handfuls and liabilities — my word, what an asset they are. Reward.
If I could tell you one thing, my precious children, one thing that would ring through the years — a word that might find you again many years from now when you need it most: Know that you are deeply wanted, fully needed, completely treasured. Your Dad and I consider you our most prized gifts. Your lives matter, always have, always will.
And our precious little long-awaited Belle — thank you for this year. I spent nine months carrying you… but for the past eight, you’ve carried me.
And now that the sap is out of the way… on to the Goosewaddle Giveaway winner!
The magic robot behind the scenes at Rafflecopter randomly selected:
Amiee, who Liked Goosewaddle on Facebook!
Congratulations, Amiee! I’ll email you to get the details for getting your Goosewaddle gear to you!
Thank you all so much for entering! I hope you’re glad you were introduced to Goosewaddle — keep them in mind when you’re shopping this holiday season!
Love y’all, back with more love {and maybe a few pics of the one year old} soon!
xCC
I create resources to help people find deeper, more meaningful relationships with God through pursuing, pondering, and prayer. The "Shop" link above will take you to the home of many of the lovely resources I’ve created to help you keep walking one day deeper with Jesus.