Facebook was slathered with the statement about keeping CHRIST in Christmas by feeding the hungry, etc. It went hand in hand with what I heard when I inquired of JESUS how HE wanted HIS birthday on this earth celebrated. HE wanted me to love HIS people-which is every created person- and bring healing.
Most of us start to formulate what this looks like through our filters of understanding, cultural influence, and socialization. Really though we need to go back to the utter-er of these words, and ask what that looks like to HIM free from our limited minds.
Holidays come with many expectations and adrenaline is keeping us juggling all the balls assigned to us in the air. Weariness and burn out hit before the actual day we set aside, December 25th, to celebrate HIS birth. So many grieve the death of unmet expectations, anticipation that fizzled into disappointment, and then there is the true loss of a loved one. Seriously we come to this day devoid of joy and peace. This also clouds our ability to see things as they truly are from heaven’s vista. We view people and events through our breathless steamed up glasses.
Sit! Take off those smudged glasses. Take a breath and have a heart to heart chat with the honored guest whose day we are proclaiming.
Things began to come into focus. I spent extra time when I had so much to accomplish – or so I thought- sitting with my elderly mom, taking her the favorite take- out food, bathing her, and gently cleaning, massaging, and applying pink to the toe and fingernails. The falling asleep in her chair as we watched the evening line up on TV. Or we went to anoint and pray for one facing cancer surgery. Cookies packed, kids engaged to sing for the shut in grandparents. Or meeting a dear sister home from a hot spot in the world for lunch, and a four hour prayer meeting ensuing in the restaurant- who has four hours to spare in prayer?
All this is not for a horn tooting or pat on back because this performance driven concrete sequential soul who still loves lists had to tap into the SPIRIT and HIS grace to do this in the right spirit that brought delight to those we touched. Each day I had to ask and submit to HIS plan for the day.
Two things totally delighted my heart as HE also gave me miracles on HIS birthday. HIS “gift bag” to me as HIS guest!
Working among the abused women here or in Kenya causes me much grief. I was so very sad that there seemed to be no movement. Yet I know my GOD is never disengaged from our pleas. HE is working on HIS timetable. Oh how we can trust HIM for redemptions. I had worked very hard and was quite stern, at times, with a couple in Kenya. I had to leave before I could witness any fruit one way or the other. I continued to pray in the silence and absence of information. On Christmas day I received word that GOD had worked a miracle. The wife glows with love and her eyes shine when she speaks of her husband. He treats her like his new bribe. Thank you JESUS for giving to us more than we can ever give to YOU.
Mid November when I returned from Kenya I was so weary as you often are with a heavy mission schedule and jet lag. I forced myself to do my ordering of gifts for Christmas for my kids and spouses. I was so pleased. They would all be delivered in three days. Hallelujah! Shopping done! I hate shopping. The promised delivery date came and went with one present appearing in my mail box. Hmm….. I waited and searched for note to pick up at post office. Tracking showed they had reached the facility at post office from which they were dispersed. Post office showed they were put in my mail box. I tried to tell the postal workers they would not fit in my box. Also we were home and watchful the whole day of promised delivery date. So I began to pray. I forgave everyone including myself. I got a refund so now three weeks later I am re-shopping. I had them shipped to a secure location. I still continued to pray for whoever had these gifts. I was certain they were either delivered to a wrong address or lifted from my porch. I prayed HE would bless them, convict them, and redeem them.
Christmas Eve morning I came outside to go to church services when I found a re-taped box on my porch. I had my son put it upstairs in my apt. I smiled when I opened the box later in the day. Inside was a simple, handwritten in red note that simply said, “She said she is sorry.” I just smiled at my JESUS and HIS humor. HE knows who the she is. HE is going to apprehend “ she” with HIS love. All is redemptive. All is calm. All is bright. “Long lay the world in sin and error pining till HE appeared and the soul felt its’ worth. May we this season feel and see our worth in HIM. “A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices.” A new and glorious morning did break over us. “Truly HE taught us to love one another HIS law is love, and HIS gospel is peace. Chains shall HE break for the slave is our brother, and in HIS name all oppression shall cease.” Oh let us fill the nights and days with sweet hymns of praise!
Odyssey Observations
9/11/2020 9:55:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Miracles in Motion
8/27/2020 1:15:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Unplug and Reset
8/20/2020 6:10:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Set Apart Not Aside
8/12/2020 12:30:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Did I Really Say That?
8/6/2020 12:50:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Silence, Stillness, Solitude, the Secret Place, and the Supernatural
7/30/2020 9:55:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Supernatural Season
7/21/2020 1:15:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
tachycardia
7/16/2020 3:35:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Peaceful Protest
7/6/2020 9:55:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Piercings
7/2/2020 11:40:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Unshareable Glory
6/24/2020 1:20:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Ancient Roots
6/16/2020 4:25:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Perfect Love
6/9/2020 5:00:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Mountains Tossed into the Sea
6/1/2020 1:00:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Genesis of Nations
5/26/2020 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Torchbearers
5/18/2020 10:55:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Trilling and Aflutter
5/12/2020 12:00:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Mchungaji
5/5/2020 3:40:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Mountain Top to Mountain Top in Lockdown
4/29/2020 1:00:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Observations from the Shadows
4/21/2020 2:00:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
He Called It! His Fast!
4/13/2020 2:30:00 PM by: Hannah S.Hunter
When Being Passed Over is Good
4/7/2020 12:30:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Alternate New Normal
4/2/2020 9:00:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Nor'easter Wheels Within Wheels
3/24/2020 6:00:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Stillness- the posture of Reshaping and Remolding
3/17/2020 5:00:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Dwelling in the Everlasting Flow
3/10/2020 5:30:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Godly Reprimand, Removal of Shame, and Redemptive Restoration
3/3/2020 4:00:00 AM by: hannah hunter
Essential Oil is Love
2/25/2020 5:00:00 AM by: hannah hunter
Going Into the Deeper....
2/17/2020 12:00:00 PM by: hannah hunter
Feet of Your Soul
2/11/2020 6:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Activating Our Children
2/3/2020 11:00:00 AM by: hannah hunter
Vigilant Observations
1/28/2020 6:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Commander in Chief
1/21/2020 6:00:00 AM by: hannah hunter
Heights of Hope
1/16/2020 7:35:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Shepherds Shielding in Storms
12/12/2019 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Shepherds Shielding in Storms
12/12/2019 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
How did Jesus Celebrate His Birthday on Earth?
11/27/2019 4:00:00 PM by: Hannah Hunter
Paul and Pauline in this Season
11/19/2019 6:30:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
A Day in the life of an Expat in Kenya
11/11/2019 2:00:00 PM by: Hannah Hunter
Conquerors in the Nest
10/30/2019 3:00:00 PM by: Hannah Hunter
A Look at Fear
2/22/2019 10:37:00 PM by: Zach Hunter
The Beauty of the Cross
2/15/2019 11:45:00 PM by: Zach Hunter
Turning Disgust into Grace
2/8/2019 11:10:00 PM by: Zach Hunter
Take My Faith
1/12/2019 5:17:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Love is really REALLY hard (but totally worth it)
1/5/2019 8:05:00 PM by: Zach Hunter
Is He Lost or Am I?
12/29/2018 6:30:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Pointing Fingers
12/22/2018 6:00:00 AM by: Zach Hunter
Sold Out Slaves
12/15/2018 6:30:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Stirring Deep Wells
12/1/2018 12:20:00 PM by: Tyler Robertson
Seasonal Suffering
11/24/2018 6:30:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
God's Play Room
11/17/2018 6:55:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Voting Day
11/10/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Homework
11/3/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
The Way
10/21/2018 6:50:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Battle Fronts
10/6/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
True Love
9/22/2018 6:45:00 PM by: Tyler Robertson
Mapacha "The Twins"
9/15/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Venomous Snakes Thwarted
9/10/2018 2:30:00 PM by: Hannah Hunter
In His Arms
9/1/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Follow Love’s Thread
8/25/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Remanded Rest
8/18/2018 8:40:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Clueless Obedience
8/11/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Same Old Days
8/4/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
A Child of Mine
7/29/2018 1:00:00 PM by: Tyler Robertson
He is I Am
7/24/2018 11:40:00 PM by: Tyler Robertson
Joy's Calm
7/7/2018 8:55:00 PM by: Tyler Robertson
The Dire Hour
6/30/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Joyful Warriors for the Kingdom
6/23/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Daughters of the Mountain
6/16/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Daniel and Malicious Intent
6/9/2018 12:35:00 PM by: Hannah Hunter
Forge Me
6/2/2018 10:30:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Grieving Grace
5/26/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
His Revelation
5/19/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Micaiah - I Stand With Him!
5/12/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
The Sense of God
5/5/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Removing Junk from your Treasure Chest.
4/28/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
To know the pain.
4/21/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Meeting my Maker
4/14/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Stop! In the name of Love!
4/7/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
For Such a Time
3/31/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Rejoice in the Fear!
3/24/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
In the Blood
3/17/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Can't Fight the Need
3/10/2018 12:15:00 PM by: Tyler Robertson
In Everything
3/3/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Let Freedom Ring
2/24/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
IT'S Coming.
2/17/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Nailed It!
2/10/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Complacency Kills
2/3/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Measure of Faith
1/27/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Darkest of Nights
1/20/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Destination: Church Unknown
1/13/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Peace 2018
1/6/2018 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Blessed Are the Servant Healers
12/30/2017 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah Hunter
Honoring HIS Wishes
12/23/2017 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
How is Your Shine?
12/16/2017 7:00:00 AM by: Lori Meed
Beatrice-Bringer of Joy
12/9/2017 7:00:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Smooth Stones
11/18/2017 10:42:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Littered Valley
11/11/2017 10:40:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
What Happened to the Church?
11/4/2017 10:34:00 AM by: Tyler Robertson
Antithesis of Rage
10/28/2017 10:29:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Truth Prevails
10/21/2017 10:18:00 AM by: Hannah S. Hunter
False Pretenses
10/11/2017 12:43:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Eye of the Needle
10/11/2017 12:24:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Wells Every Where
9/11/2017 1:01:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Underestimated Army
9/11/2017 12:59:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Third World Eyes
9/11/2017 12:57:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Songs of Joy in Drudgery
9/11/2017 12:53:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Spirit of Sanballat
8/11/2017 12:55:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Guardian in the Night
8/11/2017 12:45:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Sacredness from Kenya’s Wilderness
7/11/2017 12:49:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Pause
11/7/2016 1:33:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Perception, Prayers and Purpose
11/7/2016 1:32:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Tribes
11/7/2016 1:29:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Take Courage!
10/21/2016 1:34:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Kenya Elections 2017
10/12/2016 12:48:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Define Rest and Refuge
10/11/2016 2:47:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Soaring or Sailing
10/11/2016 2:46:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Life Threatening Worms
10/11/2016 2:45:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Mapacha, The Twins, and Micronutrients
10/11/2016 2:45:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Angel Awareness
10/10/2016 2:48:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
When Seasons Come Too Early
8/6/2016 2:49:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
RVP (Restoration Village Project) Kilgoris, Kenya
6/15/2016 2:50:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Kinsman Redeemer
1/23/2016 2:53:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Free Flow, Clarity, and Airlift
1/16/2016 2:53:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Synergy
1/9/2016 2:54:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Wilderness Base Camp
1/2/2016 2:55:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
The General’s Tent – 2015 Posts
12/29/2015 2:56:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Control Held by None
12/25/2015 2:58:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
Qualifications for Vessels of Honor
12/19/2015 2:59:00 PM by: Hannah S. Hunter
