Today I took a different road home after I dropped my son off at school. It was early morning and the sun was still kissing the horizon, all sleepy eyed, and the longer way home called to me. This route takes me through fields and and quiet byways and less traffic and it was so worth every extra minute of my precious time. The sunrise across the farmer’s field with its melted hues of purples and pinks sprayed with oranges stilled me filling my heart with peace and beauty. I lingered there as long as traffic allowed-pondering how my day might change if I made simple changes – like taking a different road home?
I, like all of us, have been on the busy bustling road to the perfect Christmas lately, filling every minute with as much craziness as I can cram in, like the night before a final exam. On this particular morning I thought; what am I possibly gaining from this holiday rat race? A maze of great confusion and certainly not peace to speak of…I answer my thoughts back.
This Christmas eve we are going to start a new tradition, along with new pajamas and church service and riding around gauking all starry eyed at the tackiest lights and decorations we can find, we will add one more thing to our list. Each of us are going to perform, using our own creativity and talents, something deeply meaningful about the season. More specifically, the REASON for the season and what that means to each of us kinda thing. I can’t wait. Funny, it was my idea, and I have no idea what I plan to do. Lol. Surely God will bless my spirit with a fabulous idea that will shine like the Bethlehem star did. Or maybe not. Maybe, just maybe, God will remind me in His brilliant, funny way, to re-check the road you are on my child. Is the way you live every day leading you towards my son, Jesus? Are you taking that different road-the one less traveled? Or could it be my sweet child, you have lost your way yet again?
The quiet, still country road this morning touched my heart reminding me of peace, the peace you only find on the road to Bethlehem. That night the shepards followed that spectacular star, their only light, no flashlights, no I-phones with a special app, no lanterns, just a star….lighting up the entire sky and night. Wow, now that’s taking a different way home for sure, what a journey, what a night, what a King was born, lowly and warm. Those simple men had no idea that for thousands of years to come people of all nations would speak of their journey with awe and reverence, and many of us would dream of possessing their simple obedient child like faith. Blind faith that was deep enough to simply follow a star when asked.
What if God asked me to pack up everything and go into the dark of night, trust Him and He will provide a light for me to show me the way….would I go? What about my GPS, my maps, my I phone directions, can I use them? No, He says, follow me, trust me, I will lead you on the right road. My whole heart believes He will.
This paritcular Christmas, after great loss, I believe in that little baby lying in that manger under that bright shinnning star, and I know He will guide me through this topsy turvy life. This season is the perfect time to reflect on His love and take the right road and follow His light, and when we do all our worries will fall by the wayside.
This morning I stopped the Christmas rush to reflect on all the gifts that are NOT under my tree, but are in my heart, and I am so heart-full because my Savior was born! This year may we all create new traditions in our homes and hearts and be thankful, be generous to others and shine a light bright so others can find their way to peace on a dark road.
Merry Christmas and may God’s peace wash over you and yours and may the road you come to always carry you home.
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