December 22, 2006

The Unexpected

“Desus! Desus!” shouted my 18-month old as he pointed to the small manger scene in the window. “Yes,” I said, “that is baby Jesus,” and thinking to myself how wonderful it was that he recognized Him. I added, “You'll have to tell Daddy who that is when he comes back.”

You see, we were seated in the far corner of a local restaurant while my husband was waiting to pick up our order at the counter. Addison began shouting, “Desus, Daddy, Desus,” I quietly said, “Yes, honey, that is Jesus. Daddy will be back in just a minute.” He continued shouting at his daddy, “Desus, Desus, Daddy.” My husband looked over and smiled, acknowledging his son's shouting. I tried to interest him in the nutcrackers again, but he was determined to tell his daddy (and all those in the restaurant) who was in that manger . . . Desus!

Walking out the door I smiled, thinking, “He just told everyone in the restaurant the true meaning of Christmas.” Maybe, just maybe, he had reminded some of those tired, stressed, holiday shoppers that their focus was in the wrong place. It really is all about “Desus!”

For this Christmas edition of the “Mom e-Moment”, I thought I'd share an excerpt from Chapter 13 of our book Mom and Loving It. If you struggle with being content when the unexpected hits, be sure and take time to read this.

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As I was thinking about my own unexpected pregnancy, I reflected upon two of the most remarkable “unexpected pregnancies” in history. I found it interesting that both of the pregnant women spoken of in Luke 1 were unlikely candidates for motherhood. One was very old and one was very young (and unwed). But both, when confronted with God's announcement of their unexpected pregnancy, accepted and embraced His call on their lives. If anyone had the right to be angry at God and ask him, “Why now?” they did.

Elizabeth could have shouted, 'God, you've got to be kidding! I'm so old that I won't be able to keep up with a baby. If You can make this happen now, why didn't You do it years ago when we were younger and cried out to You?”

And Mary . . . well, she probably had even more reason to throw a fit about her “unplanned” pregnancy. Her whole life was going to change. She was engaged to a man but not yet married, and now she was pregnant, but not with his child. How was she going to explain this one? She could very likely be publicly disgraced, and maybe even stoned to death.

These two stories bring hope and encouragement to me. -Hope in the understanding that God has a plan and a purpose, and He is going to get us through our current circumstances even when we don't understand them. -Encouragement that sometimes God manifests Himself most gloriously in the lives of people who experience the unexpected. Think of what came from these two unlikely women --- two amazing sons. One whose life changed the course of all mankind. These were two ordinary moms who were called to mother the extraordinary. Wow! Don't underestimate God's plan for your life, even when it doesn't' make sense to you.

Dear Lord,

I am scared and feel out of control. Help me trust You in my situation. Help me in my unbelief. Take away the fear that I'm experiencing and replace it with the peace that only You can give. Help me rest in You as I walk through these challenging, unpredictable times, knowing You will never leave me or forsake me. I know that I am Your child. You love me and care for me more than I could ever love and care for my children. Thank You for your love. I pray in the name of Your precious son, whom You gave for me. Amen

-Laurie