...a word from Kathy

S o this morning I was sitting in my prayer chair and forcing myself to “de-Christmas” myself. I know this sounds strange . But my life these last few weeks has had little to do with a Saviour’s birth and MUCH to do with cooking, wrapping, buying, decorating, and stressing over who-is-getting-what-and-will-they-like-it”. I began thinking about the gift giving and how it is supposed to represent our celebration of the birth of Jesus into our world. We ARE celebrating His magnificent Self coming into our world. What Glory that is for the God of the universe to squeeze Himself into our world. Ahhh, I thought, I can’t possibly understand what that even means. But, if I could understand His Glory perhaps I could better understand my great need for a Saviour. Isn’t that our problem in the world…we don’t really think we need a Saviour. We’ve got it “under control”. So how can we even start to understand His Glory, His great Light to the world? Think with me. Did your mama e...

O ne of my favorite Christmas songs is, I’ll be home for Christmas ♪♫ I’ll be home for Christmas, you can count on me. Please have snow and mistletoe and presents on the tree. Christmas Eve will find me where the lovelight gleams; I’ll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams. ♫♪ Humming this tune for the last several weeks has brought to mind many people who will be traveling home for Christmas. Those who even now are planning and packing and anticipating the love and joy their arrival will create. I remember the loneliness of long nights at the campus library wanting nothing more that to be home experiencing Christmas with my family. I remember the excitement of finals ending and being on the road headed home for Christmas break. My son is coming home for Christmas. I haven’t seen him since August so yes, I’m thrilled, nervous and anticipating all at the same time! I’m anticipating long talks, great laughs, and a celebration of the Saviour being born. A Saviour tha...

S ome of you know that I have two children, a son who is 22 and a daughter who is 17. My daughter is in her senior year of high school. (For those of you, who have raised a high-school senior daughter, you may now stop and pray for me….that I not torture her, disown her or continuously cry until her graduation in May!) Thus far this senior year has felt a bit like the holidays. All hustle and bustle, deadlines, applications due, celebrations, money needed, invitations ordered, gifts, gowns, going, going and going. On November 23, we were having such a morning. And in all the hustle and bustle tempers flared, words were exchanged, doors slammed and she was gone. Ugh…motherhood!!! I went straight for my coffee and quiet time. I furiously opened my devotional book and read these words: “Entrust your loved ones to me; release them into My protective care. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands. When you release loved ones to me, you are free to cl...