"It is never too late to be what you might have been."

~ George Eliot





Comments - and even criticisms - are welcome. It encourages me to know if my words touched a place in your heart; and criticisms show me how to improve. Thanks and have a wonderful day!




Wednesday, December 8, 2010

If I Had But Been There



If I Had But Been There

If I had been Mary –
when the angel Gabriel appeared
like Moses, I may have protested
and with God’s plan interfered;
asking, “Who am I to bear our Savior
but a poor and simple maiden?”

If I had been Joseph –
the responsibility would weigh
always on my mind & in my heart stay,
wondering what part I might play
in the raising of the Holy One,
not mine, but God’s son.

If I had been the innkeeper –
I would have given Mary my bed
on which to rest her weary body.
I would have taken the stable instead;
the babe, then born in my humble home,
Not lying in a manger.

If I had been a shepherd –
standing guard on that blessed night,
at the surprising sight of heaven’s hosts,
my legs might have trembled with fright.
Yet, I would have crawled to His crude crib
just for a glimpse of Christ.

If I had been a servant–
for I dare not see myself a king,
with no frankincense or myrrh to offer,
nothing of great value to bring,
my heart would I gladly hand over.
unto the King of Kings.

If I had but been there. . .

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The grace Mary showed at the acceptance of Gabriel's proclamation has always astonished me. The amazement of an angel standing before me would have been enough to boggle my mind & send my heart racing; but to then hear that God had chosen ME to bear the Savior!?!?! I'm sure I would have sank to the ground in utter shock. Sure, the people knew the coming of a Savior had been prophesied - just as we know Jesus will return, but don't know when - but I bet Mary never thought it would happen in her lifetime and that SHE would be chosen to be His mother! She will forever be called blessed . . .

And poor Joseph, can you imagine the mixture of emotions he must have felt knowing he was taking on the responsibility of being a stepfather to God's Son? Just the idea of Jesus being a typical (but in no way typical) child; watching God incarnate learn to walk, talk, get into mischief (did He ever need to be disciplined as other children do), studying, learning, growing into a man. . . 
I wonder if Joseph ever wondered, "What could the Son of God ever learn from me?"

The innkeeper is a whole other story to me. Mary & Joseph knew the precious cargo she carried inside her womb. The innkeeper didn't have a clue who he was sending to stay in the stable. But, give me a break. This very pregnant woman - in labor even - is standing at your door in need of help & you send her away? I don't think I could have done that one. I know it was crowded. I know all the rooms were full. But, that innkeeper slept somewhere that night & I am betting it was a lot more comfortable than a bed of hay.

Can you see yourself a shepherd standing watch over the flocks in the middle of the night. If the sky filled with a joyous choir of angels TONIGHT right in front of you, how do you think you would respond? Would your knees turn to water? Would you turn & run in fear? Would you faint? Oh sure, the angel said, "Be not afraid," but you know those shepherds had to be quaking where they stood. Obviously, I'm not sure what I would do; but, I would like to think that I would have done whatever it took to get to find that stable & see my newborn Savior. At least, I hope I would . . . If I had but been there.
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Son of the Highest - Christmas season is upon us. Houses are being decorated inside & out. Crowds are flocking the stores filling their buggies with various foods to feast upon & gifts to give. Traffic is insane! Evergreen trees are bejeweled with glimmering lights, a hodge-podge of ornaments, silver tinsel & bows. The radio belts out the season's favorite melodies. Yet, this celebration is not about the lights twinkling in the night or the presents under the shimmering tree. This time of year, Christians celebrate Your birth! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS! I'm so glad You agreed to exchange Your heavenly home for a lowly place on earth for awhile. All so that one day, I could share that glorious heavenly home with You. Thank you for agreeing to be the greatest gift of all! Like the little drummer boy, I have no gift to bring - except to give you me!  ~ Amen