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Max Lucado shares his rendition of what Joseph may have thought...
“This isn’t the way I planned it, God. Not at all.
My child being born in a stable? This isn’t the way I thought it would be.
A cave with sheep and donkeys, hay and straw? My
This isn’t at all what I imagined.
No, I imagined family.
I imagined grandmothers. I imagined neighbors clustered outside the door and friends standing at my side. I imagined the house erupting with the first cry of the infant.
Slaps on the back. Loud laughter. Jubilation.
No, I imagined family.
I imagined grandmothers. I imagined neighbors clustered outside the door and friends standing at my side. I imagined the house erupting with the first cry of the infant.
Slaps on the back. Loud laughter. Jubilation.
That’s how I thought it would be.
But now…Who will celebrate with us? The sheep? The shepherds?
The stars?
This doesn’t seem right. What kind of husband am I? I provide no midwife to aid my wife. No bed to rest her back. Her pillow is a blanket from my donkey.
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| In the Hands of the Father, by Roger Loveless as seen on Pam Manner's blog, In the Shadow of His Wings. |
Did I miss something? Did I, God?
When you sent the angel and spoke of the son being born—this isn’t what I pictured. I envisioned Jerusalem, the temple, the priests, and the people gathered to watch.
A pageant perhaps. A parade. A banquet at least. I mean, this is the Messiah!
A pageant perhaps. A parade. A banquet at least. I mean, this is the Messiah!
Or, if not born in Jerusalem, how about Nazareth? Wouldn’t Nazareth have been better? At least there I have my house and my business. Out here, what do I have? A weary mule, a stack of firewood, and a pot of warm water.
This is not the way I wanted it to be!... Forgive me for asking but … is this how God enters the world? The coming of the angel, I’ve accepted. The questions people asked about the pregnancy, I can tolerate. The trip to Bethlehem, fine.
This is not the way I wanted it to be!... Forgive me for asking but … is this how God enters the world? The coming of the angel, I’ve accepted. The questions people asked about the pregnancy, I can tolerate. The trip to Bethlehem, fine.
But why a birth in a stable, God?
Any minute now Mary will give birth. Not to a child, but to the Messiah. Not to an infant, but to God. That’s what the angel said. That’s what Mary believes.
And, God, my God, that’s what I want to believe. But surely you can understand; it’s not easy. It seems so … so … so … bizarre.
And, God, my God, that’s what I want to believe. But surely you can understand; it’s not easy. It seems so … so … so … bizarre.
I’m unaccustomed to such strangeness, God. I’m a carpenter. I make things fit. I square off the edges. I follow the plumb line. I measure twice before I cut once.
Surprises are not the friend of a builder. I like to know the plan. I like to see the plan before I begin .
But this time I’m not the builder, am I? This time I’m a tool. A hammer in your grip. A nail between your fingers. A chisel in your hands. This project is yours, not mine.
I guess it’s foolish of me to question you. Forgive my struggling. Trust doesn’t come easy to me, God. But you never said it would be easy, did you?
One final thing, Father. The angel you sent? Any chance you could send another? If not an angel, maybe a person?
I don’t know anyone around here and some company would be nice. Maybe the innkeeper or a traveler?
Even a shepherd would do.”
Even a shepherd would do.”
This message published 12/16/11 on UpWords: The Teaching Ministry of Max Lucado
From One Incredible Savior: Celebrating the Majesty of the Manger Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2011) Max Lucado
“When God stepped out of heaven above
And came down to this earth,
He clothed Himself in human flesh—
A Child of lowly birth. –D. De Haan
Jesus came to earth for us so we could go to heaven with Him.”
Our Daily Bread
Dec. 18/11 www.rbc.org
Today’s quote:
“Lord, make us mindful of the glorious day when the
heavens resounded with the announcement of the
coming of Your Son. Lead us to glorify Him in ways
that catch the attention of our watching world.”
The spectacular glory of God’s love for us was
revealed in the coming of Jesus.”
Our Daily Bread:
12/22/1
Our thought for today: God speaks tenderly to His wounded warriours, to bring them hope and new direction. If you've been wounded, go to Him for encouragement.
This afternoon's post: England's Call to a Reluctant Prophet: Prayer Note #101 Dutch Sheets
Tomorrow’s post: DoYou Expect God to Answer Your Prayers? Sharon Jaynes
A popular post: UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE MOST HIGH. KEEP OUT!
Tomorrow’s post: DoYou Expect God to Answer Your Prayers? Sharon Jaynes
So You Plan to Marry a Man
A devotional book for women
contemplating marriage and
looking for godly advice.
A devotional book for women
contemplating marriage and
looking for godly advice.
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