I hate scary movies. Hate them.
One time I watched a scary movie during the middle of the day. The lights were shining through the windows. The world was awake and busy outside. Come to find out, scary movies are only scary if you watch them at night. In the dark. When most of the world is asleep.
The light has a way of ruining fear. The light always wins. It's always stronger and more powerful.
Watching today's events during the hot, Haiti day made everything feel safe. We never felt fearful or in danger.
Now that it's dark everything feels different. The absence of light makes our surroundings feel unstable. I feel jumpy. Safe but jumpy.
While the world was dark outside, light and life were still happening inside our home.
We ate dinner with friends.
We lit advent candles and allowed the hope of the Christmas story to heal some things inside us that are fearful and hurting. Emmanuel. God with us. Among us. Who lived on this unstable earth. Witnessed violence and injustice. Who came to rebellious, violent people...lived among us. Loved us. Died for us while we were lost in rage and lawlessness.
How wonderful that we celebrate a Savior who hears the cries of the oppressed. Who brings peace, comfort, and justice.
Haiti is the setting of our advent season this year. As we sit in our home around candles, the Bible, and a guitar, tires burn in the street outside our wall. For the first time I feel as if I understand, in a tiny way, what it must have been like for the Israelites to wait for their Savior. To anticipate his birth. To yearn for Him to come redeem what is obviously broken. To look to Him as the only hope for restoration. To be a little irritated that He was taking so long to show up.
We wait for that Savior with the same hope and frustration. We yearn for Him to come right these wrongs. For His light to push away the fear and the darkness forever and always.
We sleep tonight in that same peace that the angels announced.
"Oh Come thou wisdom from on high. And order all things far and nigh."
4 comments:
"The light has a way of ruining fear. The light always wins. It's always stronger and more powerful."
This made me cry.
Christ has a way of ruining fear. Christ always wins. He is always stronger and more powerful."
Praise Christ for the light He's brought to this dark world. To the light He's brought to this dark day in Haiti. Christ will ruin this fear and in the end He will win. He has already won!
Thanks for these thoughts
I just new there was a good reason that I can't sleep. I know God has me up in the middle of the night for a reason. I will be praying for ya'll!
Oh Heather-
I can't imagine how your mama heart must feel during this. Torn between having mercy for those who are hurting and wanting to protect the little ones in your home.
I am praying for safety for you guys. I'm praying for redemption and freedom for the nation of Haiti. I'm praising God for His grace over all of us. We are all in need of His Light. Daily.
Your words about His coming echo my own lately.
You and your precious family please be careful. This seems to be as a simmering pot on the stove-the more it simmers, the hotter it becomes until all reason is gone and the fire becomes uncontrollable. We are all proud of you, but I do know your families would love to see you at Christmas, to hug and touch you to make sure you are ok. Love and prayers come your way each day.
Margaret Mosley
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