Sunday, January 25, 2009

Lately.....

Sorry I have not been posting. My kids have kept me very busy with schoolwork in the daytime. Rebekah has Algebra, and is having some trouble comprehending her elective, Music. Daniel is just not the best reader so I am trying to spend more time with him in that area, and "practicing nice and easy speech", as I just can't afford a speech therapist again right now.
My mind is still busy, and yet alot of the things I would like to talk about that are troubling my heart, I cant talk about here. So there you have it.
I still regularly check all my friends posts. I enjoy you all blogs!
Some day soon I will come up with something deep and amazing that will stun you all!! lol!!...Or I could just yell at Mark again...!!! (jk!)
Later!!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

We talked about something interesting in Sunday School this morning. It was based on Romans 15:7

Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
or the version they read said;
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

I do have alot of issue with alot of the holiness denominations, which I do belong to, as they do tend to be very rigid, and feel as if their way is the only way. Sometimes if others dont measure up to our standard of dress, we think they just cant be a Christian. Or if their doctrine just doesnt match up to our own, they are most certainly lost. It is a very unchristian attitude to have. We tend to forget where Christ brought us from, and forget some of areas we maybe didnt "line up" at times, yet we were still Christians. We forget that we hold up different preachers and teachers from the past as authorities of our doctrine--yet alot of them didnt "line up"! John Wesley had long hair, Samuel Bringle smoked a pipe, etc... And might I dare to go on and say some of the things preached against in holiness churches today, are NOT in the Bible! Yet so often we feel we are the ultimate authority on who is going to make it to Heaven or not!! This scripture tells us to recieve one another, or to accept.

Greek translation of recieve--

to take to, take in addition, to take to one's self
to take as one's companion
to take by the hand in order to lead aside
to take or receive into one's home, with the collateral idea of kindness
to receive, i.e. grant one access to one's heart
to take into friendship and intercourse
to take to one's self, to take: i.e. food


The point was made that Jesus did not go around saying, "you are wrong" continually. He did alot of loving and reaching out to others. He did alot of condemning those who were self righteous, that were basing their religon on their works, and rituals. He did alot of accepting. He did not straighten out the woman caught in adultery--frankly, he didnt care what she had done. He wanted her to quit sinning now, but he loved and wanted her. However, he did put to shame the pious church people that brought her in to Him. They left in shame. Jesus had arms outstretched to the unloveable and unwanted, and the ones that didnt "line up".

However, having said all that, there is times He did stand up for what he thought was right. There was times he did straighten people out. He loved the rich, young ruler, and yearned for him, but Jesus did set some ground rules for him. We can make it all easy and "let's accept everyone", but where are our ground rules supposed to be according to God's Word(not according to holiness people's rules)? I found this very concerning to me this morning--is this where some of the churches of today have become of little depth? Have they taken this too far? And yet, holiness people are not taking it serious enough. What is the answer? I dont know.....

Friday, January 9, 2009

Stay Home!!

I went out in this weather tonight to visit a nursing home friend, and when I went in the room her roommate asked me, "How is the weather outside?" I sang to her, "Oh the weather outside is frightful..." Crazy me going out in it!! I crept back to Lisbon at about 20 miles an hour--luckily noone followed me probably because most people were too smart to be out in it), or else they would have been complaining, "Why dont that poor old lady's family keep her home!!!"
Stay home--it's bad out!!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

My Purpose

Do you ever think of all the things you were going to do when you grew up? How many did you accomplish? Me...not too many. I was sure I was going to be a nurse or doctor for a long time, which I am sure I would have enjoyed as I love home health care. .There is a satisfaction in leaving a client and knowing they are clean, smell good, and are comfortable. I am sure I would have enjoyed trying to make people better. Then, I was sure I was going to be a missionary. I can remember sitting on the sink next to Mom while she explained communism to me, and about the people in China that couldnt worship God freely. I also around this time went to a missionary service where the Lyons family ( who were missionaries to Taiwan) spoke--I cried through the service. I was then sure I was going to be a missionary to China. When I grew to be a teenager, I was sure I was going to be a writer. I filled notebooks with my stories, and a few articles were published by our denominational paper. I was also sure I would NEVER let myself get fat like some people I seen. Well sorry to say, I accomplished none of that.
I am just an ordinary mom and wife, a homeschooling mom to be exact. I can barely keep up with my house, and sometimes I just feel like pulling my hair out!! My hair is turning gray, I have arthritis in my joints, and I feel as if Old Lady Age is pulling me down a path that in my youth I never thought I would reach. I look back at my life and all the mistakes I have made, years of depression, and I could feel like a failure. However, I can honestly say that what I see is that God has not given up on me. I am embarassed at some of my mistakes, and I see lots of areas where I have failed, yet if He has not given up on me, then maybe, just maybe, He has a reason for me being here! It could be there is hope for Christa. Maybe I have touched a life, or maybe I will eventually. Maybe my kids will go on to do what I did not. And if He has not given up on me, why should I?

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Check out a good discussion on another Blogger site--
http://thoughtsofasojourner.blogspot.com/
Interesting thoughts.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Mistaken ideas about breastfeeding

Breastfeeding
I have an acquaintance here on Blogger who brought up the subject that Facebook, due to Facebook regulations has removed pictures of woman breastfeeding from their site. They are removing the pictures where nipple or aerola are showing, and thousands of women are boycotting Facebook for this, etc... I agree with him on the point--why would woman want to post pictures of themselves in this manner, and I think Facebook was right in removing the pictures. On these points, I do agree with him, but he made other "points" that aggravated me, although he is someone I really like from what I know of him, and I enjoy allot of his dissertations.
Today Breastfeeding a choice--at one time it wasn't. Today we have decent formulas that do supply adequate nutrition for the baby, and I don't have a problem with that choice if that is what you prefer to do. I would like to point out that formula does not boost the baby's immune system. Breastfeeding is God's way, and his way is always best. Babies come into the world largely unprotected, facing organisms that their systems are not equipped to handle. If you are bottle feeding, you do need to be extra careful to keep your baby away from people who are sick, as babies can become much sicker than normal until they have time to build an immune system. Breast-feeding jump starts them much faster as you are sharing "lymphocytes and macrophages that produce antibodies and other immune factors" with your baby. Breastfed babies do not get sick as much, or spit up as much. Actually, even if you yourself are sick, you should not stay away from your baby, because your body "begins producing antibodies to fight the infection. Some of these antibodies are passed to your baby through your breastmilk so he or she can also fight the virus." Why? Because it is the God's way. Breast milk for our infants was designed BY GOD with the needs of our babies in mind, just as a cow's milk was designed with a calf in mind and gives that calf the stuff he needs to grow healthy on.
Breast feeding is easy--no sterilizing, no warming bottles in the middle of night, and it is free. Yes, it does take time to sit and nurse them, but no more time than sitting and sticking a bottle in their mouth--minus the preparation time! Contrary to some people's belief, if you miss a few feedings, you don't have to pump if you don't want to. I know that it can be difficult to find an appropriate time if you are away. You can express enough to make yourself comfortable, and keep on going. If you are a little short on milk the next day because of missed feedings, you just sit a little longer and let the baby nurse longer, and the amazing human body will learn to readjust to the amount the baby needs the next day. That is what happens each time the baby grows and requires more than your body is producing--you spend a little extra time nursing for a day. You know, what is really cool? When I was nursing my 2ND child, it was discovered that I had hydrocephalus, and they wanted to operate, and if I had let them, with the pain meds I would have been on, I wouldn't have been able to nurse for a couple weeks. Of course, my milk would have dried up, but did you know any woman can produce milk even if she never had a baby? Of course, it would be tiresome--you would need to sit with a pump at regular times for a couple weeks, but the stimulation will bring on the milk! If I had wanted to, I could have brought my milk back, and went on nursing. The human body is so amazing--and they try to say we evolved!!
My acquaintance mentioned it takes away the chance for the rest of the family to bond. First of all, if a mother is willing to take the time to nurse, I think it selfish for the rest of the family to be fretting too much about taking from the health of the baby. Second, I feel sorry for them if that is the only way they can find to bond. My kids loved my husband and knew him as little babies-- and I nursed exclusively the first couple months. They loved my mom and their uncles. They just spent time with them.
However, the "point" he made that aggravated me the most, is that woman should not nurse in public even if they are covered up. That upsets me. So we should hide away as if we are doing something wrong? I am not talking about indecent exposure, I am talking about being covered. I think the world has made such a big deal of a woman's chest, we think it is obscene anything to do with it outside of sex. Sorry! They are useful tools and made that way by God--and guess what? I just bet you Jesus nursed. Read pioneer books, those that mention it, talk of it being done in the open. It is not obscene. When we have to go and sit in a room by our self, we are teaching our kids that is shameful, and what young girl is going to want to make the better choice for her baby, if she has to sit in a room by herself if her baby is fussy.
Don't take me wrong. I am NOT putting down mothers that don't nurse. I know lots of mothers that the natural way is not a good choice for them, but they are every bit as good of a mother as I am. I just think allot of people are misinformed.

(And don't think I am mad at this person. I have often online in forums disagreed with him agreeably, but enjoyed debating him.)

When I was young I was sure of everything; in a few years, having been mistaken a thousand times, I was not half so sure of most things as I was before; at present, I am hardly sure of anything but what God has revealed to me. -John Wesley.


My favorite quote.
When I was young, I did think I knew it all. I knew who was a Christian and who wasnt, I knew which was the "right" way", I knew the rules, etc... I am so glad God did not give up on me and my little righteous mind! I am so much less judgmental than I was at one time, and so much more able to think outside the box!! All I know for sure is what God has showed me personally, and that is all I need to know!!

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Fire...

Tonight my brother, Thomas's house burnt down. They think it might be electrical. They lost everything, except for 1 dog. They lost another dog, 4 cats. and a Russian Gray parrot in the fire. (They are really animal lovers.) Even the keys to their car was in the fire. The fire was really hot--the shutters on the house actually melted and was running down the front of the house. I am so sad for their loss, but so glad they made it out themselves. It would be almost unbearable to have lost them.


Ever since I was young, my mom used to take me to the nursing home to visit. It was something I felt I could do for God even when I was young. The elderly are so easy to talk to, and so un-judgmental. Of course, anyone that knows us at all, knows my parents and I are involved in nursing home ministry. I wrote and published in our denominational paper at the time an article very similar to this when I was 13 or 14. I dont know where it is now, so wrote this as a take-off of that one. I also added a few thoughts in there that I have heard my dad admonish the old people all the time. He always tells them that they have good minds and know so much to share with the world, and that they should exercise their minds--not just give up, etc... I used to love to write, and have decided to use blogger to exercise that at times!! Sorry....dont read my blog if it is boring to you!! lol!!



Visiting the Aged

I feel young, vigorous, and alive as I walk up the nursing home. The sun warms my face, and the wind plays with the short hairs around my face. I can see well the flower heads nodding in the breeze, and hear birds singing in the trees. It is good to be alive.

Then I open the door….I enter another world. Here the smell of urine permeates the air from trash cans that have not yet been emptied. The elderly sit about in various kinds of wheelchairs, useless legs covered with lap robes, and those who are deranged are sometimes even sitting in some form of undress. Almost each face has a vacant look, and the eyes stare emptily, thoughts closed off to the world, for in this stage of life no one is interested in their thoughts. I feel a wilting of spirits, a fleeing of youth.

I enter Rosita’s room. Here sits a precious Catholic, Italian lady on the edge of her bed. She wears her long white hair in a tiny knot on the top of her head, and her faded dark eyes peer out behind thick glasses to see who has entered her room. She is so grateful for company, and yet, she tells me, “I canna see, I canna hear, my kids no come see me, and at this point, she folds her arthritic hands together. “I justa pray God come take me home!” To her it seems as if her life is over, and no one cares that she sits there day after day.

I leave Rosita’s room, and stop at Stella’s side in the hallway. She sits here every Sunday by the window waiting, watching, hoping that perhaps this would be the day that her kids would remember their mother. Kneeling beside her, we pray together as Stella has become a Christian not long ago. You see, although the world has forgotten the aged, God has not! I weep with her and pass on.

Mary. Here is another tiny, almost doll-like, little lady! If you did not know her, and seen her sitting in one of the open areas in hallways, half-asleep with her wig crooked, you might pass her by. If you passed her by, you would have passed by a blessing in disguise. Mary has also been forsaken by her son—he has not been to see her in years as he did not like the place she was planning on being buried. Although some of us might have become embittered in her place, Mary had a secret. As her fading sight fixes on me, she reaches out tiny crippled hands for my own strong ones, and says in her tiny sweet voice, “Oh honey, I am so glad you came to see me. I love you.” It is not long into the conversation before she reveals her inner secret, what it is that keeps her happy while being so utterly alone, “Honey, I love Jesus.” I don’t remember a conversation without those four words being spoken from the heart. Friends, Jesus loved Mary too.

Traveling on down the hallway of fading life, I see ahead Charlie. He is staring at the wall, mouth hanging open. What did he have to offer the world? I touch his shoulder, he catches sight of me, and there is immediate life in that face!! He grins as he grips my hand. You see, Charlie has stories to tell the world and he knows I will listen. He can tell you about WWII, about when he lived in Australia, engineering stories, etc… Through his eyes, I see lands faraway, places I have never been.

The next room I enter belongs to white-haired lady who looks as if she would be very sour. She lays there in her bed all covered up, years of usefulness apparently over. I bend over her bed. “Blanche, how are you? Do you know who I am?” She stares at me a moment, and finally says, “Yes. We have been friends for a long time.” She also proceeds to tell me, “I don’t feel so good, honey. I just wish God would take me home—if he wants to. But if he wants me here, I want to tell others about Him. Pray for me” I kiss that soft, soft cheek of Blanche, and reaffirm my own commitment to also tell others about Him on my two working legs.

Need I go on? I went in feeling life was good, and yet felt it was fleeing as I entered the halls of this place. However, something changed for the better inside. I found vacant eyes brightened with attention, faces became animated with a listening ear, and I was blessed. Here I found Christians, and people with good minds, and something to share with the world that you and I have neglected. Are we leaving something undone that we shall be accountable to God for in the Judgment Day?

Matthew 25:31-46
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Christmas is over...

Well Christmas is over for another year, and a new year has begun.




We had a good Christmas, and a more relaxed one. I just said "no" to some things that just seemed like too much for me, or if I was too tired. Due to low finances for some member of my family, the adults did not buy gifts for each other. It was nice to have an easier financial burden too, and feel free to just enjoy each other.



We went to my mom's on Christmas Eve, and had pizza and pop, read the Christmas story, and the kids opened their gifts, and gave out their dollar gifts for each relative. Alas! Shawn and I were the only ones to get "nothing for Christmas"!! It just killed Shawn--when do men grow up??!!


Christmas morning, we got up, Mom and Dad came down, we all ate breakfast together, and then opened presents.
















We then went to Mom's for Christmas dinner, and to Shawn's family later that evening. It was nice. We spent sometime at another one of his sisters the Sunday after Christmas. We had alot of good talks as a family reflecting on the Christmas story.
New Years Eve we spent with a family from church, and had a very nice time.
Now we are plunging headlong into a new year. As always, we hope to do better and be better people than we were in the previous year. I did not make a formal or definite New Years resolution, but I do have quiet plans--hopefully it will be something my friends will notice, but if I fail, you will never know!! lol!!
Happy New Years to all!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Christmas story thoughts...

Joseph
My thoughts have still been with the Christmas season and the Christmas story. I thought I would share a few of the thoughts I pinned.




Joseph


So many times at Christmastime, I find my self overwhelmed as I think of the sacrifice of Mary. To be living in a time where being pregnant without the benefit of marriage was quite reasonably shameful, to know in reality that no one would believe that you were carrying the Son of God, and to still be able to answer the angel, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word”, is nothing short of amazing. Oft-times in life we say we don’t care what people think, but we DO to a certain extent. The commitment of Mary is fantastic in such a young girl, and I would not take away from her one bit; however, God never leaves us to carry a burden alone, and she certainly was given a load. She was such a young girl, probably of the tender age of 14 or 15 years of age. She was pregnant, perhaps sick some of the time with some of ailments that come with pregnancy, and mostly certainly facing the scorn of those around her—she needed a shoulder to lean on. She needed someone strong to take pressure off her, to make decisions for her. I am sure she thought she had most certainly lost her chance at marriage, and her chance for a traditional family life. However, God had a man for the job, and he did not choose this man lightly. Joseph, I see as a man of probably close to forty, with probably red or brown hair, and most likely, the distinctive,often long, Jewish nose. He was a hard working man, a successful carpenter, who had built up a business and a reputation for himself. “Now here is a man who is honest in business, and will make you a decent piece of furniture”, his customers would tell others. It takes years to build a reputation such as his.
As a boy, he studied the Torah with the rabbi as all Jewish boys do, and knew well many passages by heart. Finding himself amazed by the many miracles that were performed by God Himself, and through people in the history of the Jews, he often found himself hungering for more of this God that never seemed to give up on the nation of Israel, although they turned their back on Him over and over. It became a practice of Joseph during the days as he sanded and formed quality pieces of carpentry to talk quietly to Jehovah in the quiet of his workshop. Thus, as follows those today who seek the face of God, there was a peace about Joseph that caught people’s attention. Here was a man of strength and character.
Joseph was now at the time in his life that he would soon be bringing home his wife. It had been understood in their family for years that he would marry Mary. It was an arranged union after the custom of the day, but Joseph found himself strangely pleased by it. He had seen Mary here and there through her growing up years, and found her to be a child of a sweet disposition, but the woman Mary was becoming, thrilled him even more. Her features were pleasing to Joseph’s eye, but her spirit compelled him even more. He was convinced they might indeed have a meeting of minds. Yes, he was finding himself ready to bring her home.After the custom of the day, the marriage ceremony had already taken place, and now the bride had 12 months in which to prepare her trousseau and herself for life with her husband when he came to fetch her. He would come to fetch her at night, and bring her back to his place. She would enter the bridal chamber with him, and there their marriage would be consummated. The bride groom would then announce to the guests that the marriage was consummated, and the party would begin, and go on for 7 days. However, the bride would stay in the chamber for those days, but at the end of the 7 days, the groom would bring her out, and unveil her before the well-wishers, and then married life together would begin. Joseph was anxious for the day he could go and get her, and bring her to himself. Or should I say, he had been until she arrived home the other day from her cousin’s house?
She had been staying with her older cousin, Elizabeth up in the hill country for 3 months. Joseph had assumed she was preparing for their big day just as he was. He had indeed had no objection to her staying with Elizabeth as indeed Elizabeth had always appeared to be a godly, sober, older woman, and her husband had been always faithful in his Temple duties. What would there be to object about? Elizabeth could indeed offer the same good guidance, and help with preparing her trousseau as Mary’s own mother would have provided surely. He was sure Elizabeth and Zachariah would watch over his bride with care.
However, when he met Mary on her return, she had news that could crush a bridegroom’s anxious hopes. She was pregnant, and her belly was indeed starting to be discernable beneath her robes when the wind blew them against her. Soon those in her neighborhood would know too. Although she did give an explanation with that sweet, pleading face and those very honest-looking eyes, how he could he believe such a thing? She carried the Messiah? And angel came and spoke to her? It had not been in his lifetime that he heard of angel appearing to anyone, nor God speaking to someone, and he had even more rarely ever read in Jewish history of this thing happening to a woman—much less, a girl! As much as he would have liked to believe her, his maturity and years would not allow him to trust such a wild story. It seemed to be much more likely that she had met someone else and let down her guard. Maybe she had not been as excited about their wedding day as he had been. After all, he was so much older. Did he appear boring to her? And perhaps she was not as deep as he had thought?
She had pleaded with him to trust her, and give her chance, but she was also asking him to give up his reputation. He inwardly cringed as he thought of what his neighbors and friends would think about his lack of self control if he took Mary into his house. Everyone would be sure it was he that had impregnated Mary—it would be the same as claiming the child. As much as he would like to forgive her, and hated the scorn that would be hers, even the kindness and justness of his character did not want to stoop to her incrimination. He did not want to share her shame. He was a kind man, and maybe that kindness and gentleness could forgive her youth, but to have to be looked down on, and snickered at behind his back—no, he just couldn’t. Yet that evening was one of agony of soul, “Mary, Mary,” he cried out again and again. Years of dreams and hopes were flushed away in one moment. He had dreamed all of his life of a wife and family, having someone to talk to and worship God with, someone to share his thoughts with, and yes, he had dreamed of living a life of integrity and honesty with his Mary. He had dreamed of her soft lips on his, and those lovely gray eyes looking at him with love. Love had never been spoken of between them, yet he had been sure he could earn her love, and was sure she had at least thought of him fondly to this point. And now, he could not trust her, not even to tell him the truth of the circumstances of her indiscretion. Hot, bitter tears flowed down his cheeks, and deep, guttural sobs wracked that sturdy frame. The cries of man are so rarely heard that they are such a heartbreaking sound, and Josephs cries would certainly have tugged at your heart strings if you had been there. Agony of soul tortured this good man.
Maturity prevailed at last. He arose, washed his face, and prepared for bed. He doubted he would be able to sleep, yet he had to try to present a normal face to his neighbors tomorrow, and to do this he needed rest. Yet his mind still whirled, and he knew he did need to make some decisions. He needed to decide what to do with Mary. God’s law dictated that she should be stoned, for God did not deal lightly with adultery. He had seen a few stonings in his day, and they were not pretty sight. He could not stand the thought of this happening to Mary in spite of her unfaithfulness. He found himself shuddering at the thought of that young body crushed by stones, and that lovely face marred, bleeding, and then lifeless. As much as Joseph loved God’s law, he could not bear in his soul to do this thing to Mary. Mayhap he could just quietly divorce her, and maybe she could go back and live with Elizabeth til the babe was born, perhaps give it away, come back, and start her life over. “God,” Joseph began to pray, “You are a God of mercy, and how often you have forgiven your people and given them second chances. I know even now in the midst of this Roman tyranny, you would deliver us if Your people would turn back to you. I plead for your understanding with this situation with Mary.” Here a sob broke loose from his soul. “I have always tried to serve you and to be a good man, and now I just do not understand why this has happened to me. I know you are not responsible for our own foolish decisions, and I do not blame You; hwever,my soul cries out to know why….? I hate to add disobedience to your law on top of her sin, yet God, I feel that you would understand my reluctance and my weakness in this matter.” In like manner, continued Joseph’s communion with God until at last exhaustion prevailed, and his body began to relax, and his mind stilled.Often times, even now this is the only time God can get through to us—when we become still before him. It was only when Joseph was in this state, and ready to listen, that something happened to him that he had begun to think did not happen in the day and age he was living in—an angel appeared to him with a message from God. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” What a message for his troubled mind! Strangely enough, the scorn and shame of his neighbors did not seem to bother him quite as much now. Joseph had a choice—his choice was not taken away, he could have still turned Mary away. He could have not been willing to bear her shame even now, But yet, something had happened to Joseph that was to drastically change his life—he had an encounter with God. It changes folks even today. The Bible does not record him continually battling the decision. Perhaps he did, but I almost think knowing the truth set him free, and now that he also knew what God wanted in the matter, he just said, “Yes, Lord.” I am sure there was a lot of pondering that night and very little sleep, yet what a difference from the hours before. He was so glad Mary was really the girl he had originally thought her to be. He was thrilled to know his dreams were still intact, yet with such different perspective! He had a lot of responsibility on his broad shoulders now. He had to protect Mary from all the scorn and snickering he could. Just because the angel had now spoken to him, it did not make the story any more believable. Now his neighbors and friends would think he was making up wild stories to cover up the lack of discipline in his life—if Mary and he even told anyone. She would need protection, direction, cherishing—oh, how his duties had increased!! He had to raise the Son of God. Joseph knew his reputation would probably never be what it had once been, but somehow his reputation was not quite as important as it had once been. Joseph was starting to have a relationship with God that made the things of this earth seem “strangely dim.”
I wonder if he waited the night out to go get Mary. Can’t you see him knocking at Mary’s door while it is still dark? Heli, the father of Mary stumbles to the door to see what emergency or what crazy person was knocking on his door in the early, dark hours of the morning.
“Joseph!” says Heli, rubbing his hand through sleep tousled hair, “I am afraid for what brings you here in the night. I am so sorry for the shame that has come upon our contract, yet Mary is my daughter, and I do love her. Nevertheless, can I help you, son?
”“Heli, my father,” said Joseph with a gentle smile, “I’ve only come to take my bride home with me.”
Heli’s mouth drops and his eyes widen. “Joseph! I-I can’t believe my old ears. Mary said she spoke with you, and-and you knew! Surely you believed her no more than I. I would not ask any man to take this shame upon them.”
“Then, Heli, my father,” smiled Joseph, “you would probably not believe me either. The angel spoke to me too. I am willing to take on her so-called shame.”
Perhaps at this point even Heli began to bristle, beginning to wonder if somehow Joseph was the one that had not been able to wait and follow through with their customs. “Well, Joseph, I see you are trying to spin the wild tales too. The customary 12 months are not up, but take her and be-gone then. I sure hope you are not planning on feasting on this fiasco?”
“No, probably not,” replies Joseph, “You all would probably not understand, but my heart is feasting for joy. It is not our shame that stops me!”
Heli and his wife probably shook their heads in amazement as Joseph left with their daughter that night. What an embarrassment the two of them were to their family! And both of them a bit touched in the head!
Joseph’s in-laws did not trouble him a bit. The glorious smile Mary gave him when she realized he doubted her no more, that he believed in her, was all the reward he needed. There was also a sense of relief and peace spreading about her countenance. He could see she trusted in him, and to think, he almost forsook her. He almost thought she cared nothing for their relationship, and had thought that she thought he was boring!! He was determined to carefully nuture and tend this precious flower given to him truly by Jehovah! And as for the Child, he knew he already loved Him!
We read in the Bible that he did not consummate the marriage until after the birth of her Son. He only tenderly cared for her. Could this be why he took her with him on the journey to Bethlehem, to get her away from the jeers, to keep an eye on her, and protect her? There is little recorded about the love story of Joseph and Mary, but it is there unwritten between the lines. There is also a story of commitment to God in the life of a man. Have you ever noticed that through the rest of the story of Joseph that it is only Joseph that God speaks to? He speaks to him a total of 3 recorded times, and each time Joseph immediately obeys. He is not praised much or talked about much, but he was so important. He was so necessay to the safety of Mary and Jesus. He was put in charge, he had to shoulder so much, and he had to give up so many things that were important to him. He was put in a place of great responsibility by God, and I think he made God smile.
Don’t forget the story of Joseph, the man who loved God, and lived with God!