At 3 a.m. on Christmas morning, while all other moms where nestled peacefully in their beds, I was in the pastures. I was mad and resentful. I was a little nervous... not of being alone in the dark... that part was quite peaceful. I was was scared of the unknown. The unknown event that lurks around every corner when you are caring for and managing animals. I've witnessed a horse harmlessly roll to itch his back and 45 minutes later have to be put down because he twisted his intestine while rolling. I've found my daughters pony too weak to stand in the quiet hours of the morning. I've had to lure my blind horse to safer ground when she became disoriented in the pasture. I've walked into feed to find my childhood horse shivering in shock when a tumor became too much for her body to bear. Terrifying moments and emergencies fill my mind. In the quiet of the Christmas morning all I could think about was the "what ifs." What might lurk around the corner to harm this peaceful day.
As I looked up at the heavens and saw the bright stars, I prayed desperately for God to protect these unpredictable creatures and spare me, if even for a day, the sick sinking feeling in my stomach of one of them in danger. I began to give them hay and slowly walk them to their paddocks. In the dark it took a lot of talking and comforting for the easily startled beasts to trust the path I chose for them. In the darkness of the morning, my horses went from startled and nervous, to calm and content. My nerves settled and I became overjoyed by the calmness of the morning. The crunching of hay and gentle snorts in the cold where a joyous sound... the sound of safety, security and quiet that could only be appreciated because I had experienced overwhelming fear of the unknown.
At 3 a.m. on Christmas morning, while all other moms where nestled peacefully in their beds, I was in the pastures. I was no longer mad and resentful. I was no longer nervous. I was no longer scared of the unknown. I was consumed by peace and joy and excitement because it was Christmas morning. In that moment I realized why God chose the lowly shepherds to be the first to witness His arrival to Earth. Those humble shepherds felt the sickening fear when the Angels appeared. This unexpected event that could scare, kill, or maim their precious sheep. Luke describes them as "terrified." Terrified... a helpless way to feel when you are caring for animals. The angel of the Lord said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." (Luke 2:9-10). Those shepherds fully appreciated this great joy because they had experienced the fear. They understood the peace because they had endured the fatigue. They had been treated by society as inferior, ignoble, and subordinate. God put them in a place of favor, honor, and dignity. They were honored as the first to see Christ the King lying in the manger. They experienced being inferior, so they truly appreciated being favored. They had experienced fear, so they welcomed and embraced joy.
At 4 a.m. on Christmas morning, I climbed into my bed and snuggled under my covers knowing that it's okay to be fearful, and tired, and stressed, and even terrified because it's those experiences that have allowed me to truly know the Joy and Peace of Christ's birth. 50 years after Christ's birth, our Lord's brother reiterated this to believers by saying, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4). Walk in pure joy today on Christmas as a birthday present to our King.
God has you on assignment.
3 days ago
Posts
