Christmas Gong Shows

Forget the Christmas bells a-ringing...
this year resounded with (((gongs)))
and plenty of them!
I'm not sure what I was really expecting. Given the past couple months, I should have read the clues and KNOWN that this Christmas would be different. I guess I was throwing my last threads of hope that something magically would happen on the 24th of December that would make everything I have been going through disappear into the abyss of what we know and understand of the "holiday spirit".
Boy...was I in for a surprise!
and not the kind that you want to find wrapped under your tree!
From armed robbers,
pouring rain,
child meltdowns,
puke,
exploding diapers,
bath oil doubling as shampoo,
unsettled stomaches,...
it was definitely not the peaceful evening I was desperately in need of!
There was a time in the evening where it was only my dad and I sitting at the table eating "family" dinner, and just as I was reaching the point of feeling sorry for myself, I had a minor epiphany...
this is Christmas.
It wasn't about meeting expectations
but meeting a need.
As I thought of all the travelers caught in airports this year due to some wicked weather, I couldn't help but think of the travelers at the first Christmas, called away from their homes by a foreign ruling, into towns with not enough rooms to house them.
Camping out in streets.
In stables.
And I was reminded of the reality that the Prince of Peace came in the midst of chaos,
persecution,
inconvenience,
animals,
shepherds,
jealous rulers,
simplicity.
The Messiah came
not as expected
but as needed.
And His birth brings hope
in the midst of our chaos,
despite our chaos
because of our chaos...
not just in the closing days of December
but every day
throughout the year.

I'm looking forward to the new year,
and the gong shows that will definitely find me out...
but I go being reminded that there will be NOTHING that I will face
that isn't first answered
by the gift in a manager
one chaotic Christmas...

on repeat...

The last few months have brought a blizzard of events -
life happenings that weigh heavy on the heart and spirit -
seemingly relentless and bottomless...
to the point that I am tempted to unplug the phone,
lock the doors,
and stay in my bed.
For a while...
a long while.

I know my writings over the past couple months have been birthed out of the shadows of what I am going through,
and I am grateful for those who have journeyed thru with me.
I wish I could write something a little more “cheery” (I hate being a downer)
but the things that have found their way from my thoughts
to the meager scribblings you may have the opportunity to read
is raw.
real.
honest.
And part of the process of healing
and growing
that I am experiencing.
We have seasons to paint the roses
and seasons to paint the storm clouds.
Both are balancers of life.

And in this life, every once in a while I will get what I call a “season song”...
a tune that I just have to listen to over and over
either because its extremely catchy and well written,
or because it deeply connects with something I am going through.

Last nite I crawled into my bed
plugged myself into my ipod
and put this song on repeat...

Everyone needs compassion
Love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations

Saviour
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Shine Your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen King

Right now I am standing encircled by a looming mountain range,
needing to be reminded that I believe in a God that is Mighty to Save.
That He will move the mountains.
That He will fill my life again...

May we continue to have the strength to sing...
and to shine...

oh Canada...

In light of the recent disturbances on the Canadian political scene, I was reminded of some lines I had written during an early morning flight home from Calgary. In the wake of elections, it was a moment to look out my plane window and reflect on the land I call home...
I love my country.
I love living here.
I love what each province brings to the table.
(I included a map for my American friends!!!)For my Canadian friends - I just want to remind you that we live in an amazing country...full of diversity and potential. Despite our differences, we learn to work together. Regardless of which party is in leadership - the current challenge to democracy as we know it is appalling.
We, the people, can no longer remain silent.
Will we live up to being the true north, strong and free?
Will we fight to be ONE nation?
Or is being a Canadian about power at all costs?
What will be the sacrifice...
the compromise...
and are we ready to pay the price?

Looking down from lofty flight
upon the patchwork laced with grey
silent wings press ever onward
o'er the coming of the day.
Patch by patch, diverse in nature
'cross the miles, blanket spread;
simple stitching, interwoven,
bind a country by a thread.
Lost within the fragment motion
frozen in the yawning beams
one is blinded for a moment
to the tearing at the seams.
Ravaged land, of crimson purchase,
stretching freedom coast to coast
e'er to lie, the sleeping beauty,
midst ambitions selfish boast.
From the still, a breath of morning,
in the waking of the dawn
dissolving brotherhood to foe...
forgotten memory - she is one.
A whisper, softly, lend an ear -
hear her song, to sons command:
fist to fist, humble unfurling
for the healing of her land.