What is the purpose of fog?

This is a typical question I entertain on a car ride down the mountain. Since I drive over the mountain every day to take my son to preschool, we often encounter a thick fog across the road. Today was one of those days. He's never been a boy who just asks why. It's always a thoughtful question. The question came again today. "Mommy, what is the purpose of fog? "

So I entertained it. On a whim I decided to ask the one who sent the fog. So I asked God, "Lord, what is the purpose for your fog? Would you show us? "

Impatiently, my son commented that God didn't answer. I told him that sometimes to hear from God, it takes patience and learning to be still. So we sat in the stillness for the drive down the mountain. I could see him praying back there. So when we got to the light, I asked him, "what did God tell you? "

Mama, He told me "I love you. "

"This is the first time I have ever heard God speak to me."

(Tears from a Momma.)

Then I said, surprised at my own words, "He spoke to me too. 

'The purpose of the fog is that you are able to see more clearly on the other side of it.' "

Lord, I want to see. In Luke 18 the blind man said it to Jesus. I've been asking the Lord for this too. To see. To see with His eyes. Yet it still comes. The sickness. The dying. The lies entrenching my family. They are drowning. The people I love can barely breathe. And I asked the Lord, why can't I see? I know that you are at work. I trust that you are in control. But why can't I see what you are doing? Why can't I see your rescue?

And then it comes. The purpose of the fog. To see clearly when it is lifted. Maybe in the same way that death (of our old self) must occur in order to birth new life, a veil--a foggy period of uncertainty--may come for a time, to test our response--in order that we might have eyes that truly see. See The Beauty. See The Way. Maybe this is the eye surgery I seek.

http://3babysdion.blogspot.com/2013/10/why-i-need-eye-surgery_21.html?m=1

In the end, it does not matter if we can see what He is doing. Or if we ever understand His reasons on this side of Heaven for why this life is so full of tragedy. We must only trust what we know. We know only that He is good. All the time. And every now and then, just because He loves us, I believe He gives us glimpses into these answers to our many questions ... So that we can see through the fog. So we can see Him through the fog. Like today. When I least expect it.

Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Christ this Christmas

THIS IS BIG fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
1. Make a Jesse Tree. Remember Jesse? King David's father? Isaiah 11:1-2 says that out of the stump of Jesse (it seemed the least likely place, a dead tree stump) came a tender shoot (new life, Jesus).  Because King David was King Jesus's ancestor! Your tree can look any way you want it to, but we use a small tree or some branches in a pot. Each day you pick an ornament and read the corresponding passage in the Bible. They are usually stories in the Old Testament which paved the path for Jesus. (Noah, Ruth, Jonah, Esther) It's fun to read the story and then think about how it relates to and points to Christ.

Our family uses hand sewn ornaments I bought on etsy. Here is an example:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/109692943/set-of-27-felt-jesse-tree-ornaments-with?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=felt+jesse+tree+ornaments&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_ref=auto3&ga_search_type=all

Here is an example of paper ornaments to make

The Jesse Tree, Ann Voskamp

http://www.aholyexperience.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Jesse_Tree_Advent_Celebration1.pdf

Search for Jesse Tree online and you'll come up with a myriad of ideas. Catholic Icing has a cute set as well.

You don't even have to have ornaments! You can just use what you have around the house! Legos are great!! Pick a favorite Bible story from the Old Testament and let your child act it out using toys.

Sometimes we use ourselves to act out the story!! David was a Shepherd when He was anointed King. In the story of Rahab (below) Joshua & Caleb were spies so they were on the lookout (2 toilet paper rolls taped together). She hung a scarlet thread to show she wanted to trust God.

2. Make an advent paper chain. I just cut strips of construction paper out & had my son tell me things about Christmas...we came up with things like ...We want to be close to Jesus, the animals worshiped Jesus, God keeps his promises, Jesus is our rescuer, Jesus is the light in a dark world. We linked the chain & hung it up to remind us what Christmas is all about. 

3. Use the Elf on the Shelf for Christ. We named him Jasper (after my granddad), and he comes each year to help us remember that Christmas is about showing Christ's love to others by our actions. Each morning he hides (sometimes he's in the manger holding baby Jesus, sometimes he's reading a book, or he may be building legos!)

4. Seeds of Kindness. Last year we planted grass seed in a pot of soil for each good deed and on Christmas we plucked the grass and laid it in the manger. Because each good thing we do is for Him. This idea came from OH Amanda.

5. Make an Advent Wreath and light candles each Sunday. This idea is from Catholic Icing.

The Advent Song

Tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”

Advent is a time to wait, (hold hand up as you say “wait)

Not quite time to celebrate, (shake head and wag finger from side to side)

Count the candles 1 by 1, (put 4 fingers up, one at a time)

Until Advent time is done. (wave hands, palms down)

Day by day we work and play,  (stack fist on top of fist, back and forth)

To prepare for Christmas day! (put arms on shoulders and hug yourself)

 6. School Party Craft: A good craft for several kids I am using this year for a school party: I bought green foam trees at $ tree and some stickers at Hobby Lobby. I am going to use them as symbols of Christmas and let the kids decorate their trees. Super easy, and what kid doesn't love stickers? Plus they'll be learning the symbols of Christmas at the same time! I am pretty big on tangible symbols.

Stickers:

Gingerbread man - Jesus became a man

Tree - points to Christ (sitting at God's right hand on throne)

Crown - Jesus is King

Candy Cane - White (Jesus never sinned ) & Red (Jesus took our punishment and died)

Snowflake - when we ask God to forgive us we are white & pure

Lights - We are to be the light of the world - showing others the love of Christ

Heart - God loved us so much He sent His son to die

Present - Salvation is a gift to us. We can never earn it by doing good things. But we must accept it to have life forever with Jesus in Heaven.

Jewel - We are his treasured possession. Knowing God is like finding treasure!

 7. Check out events around the community. There is a Live Nativity Christmas Open House and Live Nativity Scene at Holmes Street United Methodist Church

Saturday, December 14 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Theme: "A Heavenly Christmas" -- a celebration of the birth of Christ and the Christmas season; a gift to the community  - Free admission and free refreshments

Program is a musical showcase of performances by children from the Academy of Academics and Arts (dance group, choir, and string quartet), Huntsville High School choir, Huntsville High School dance team (Pantherettes), Huntsville Symphony, and Holmes Street UMC handbells

Live nativity scene includes live animals; procession of wise men to scene via police escort at 7:00 p.m.

and also at Cornerstone Community Church

6 to 8 p.m. both Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, at the church in south Huntsville at the corner of Whitesburg Drive and Lily Flagg Road S.E. 

8. Bible Memorization. Great for YEAR ROUND!

I am collecting Bible songs. Scripture, set to music. Because it is the easiest way to get the WORD in our hearts! You probably already know some! 

*Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you! Hallelu, Hallelujah!

* I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart, I will enter His courts with praise. I will say this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice for He has made me glad. Ps 100:4, Ps 118:24

*His love endures forever.

Bibletoons is a great collection of Scripture set to music! We love to listen to "I will Soar on Wings like Eagles" and "Trust in the Lord with all your heart" The Fruit of the Spirit" and "Love the Lord your God with all your heart." They even have videos that go along with it! Truly a gem.

Hand motions are another great way to memorize the Bible.

I'll be posting some more! The one we're working on now is 

" A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." Prov 29:11

 We recite Joshua 1:9 while marching around the house like soldiers. (Be strong & courageous. Do not be afraid. For the Lord our God will be with you wherever you go.)

The simplest way to memorize is to pick a short verse and put it to a tune you already know 

 God cares for you. God cares for you. God cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

(to the tune of: God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, he's so good to me .

Serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 Serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 (Row Row Row Your Boat tune)

God helps me all the time. Psalm 46:1

God will give you what you need. Philippians 4:19 
(Both to the tune of Mary had a little lamb)

Come follow me, come follow me. Jesus said. Jesus said. And I will make you And I will make you Fishers of Men Fishers of Men.  Matthew 4:19 (Are you Sleeping tune)

9. Prayer Book- an old photo album with pictures I printed from online or I used an actual photo if I had one.

We made a prayer book this year with pictures of our family and friends, our sponsored children, our pastors, our president, people imprisoned for their faith (Voice of the Martyrs is a great resource), missionaries, a map of the world so we can point out where they are located, those who are sick, lost, and lonely. It has been a great tool for us to pull out at night before bed and pick a few pages to focus our prayers. It reminds us that it's not all about us, and gives us a visual for our prayer focus.

10. THE TOP 10 Way to Celebrate Christmas with your Family: Give a Christmas Gift to Jesus through the World Vision gift catalog or other site. You can pick out a goat, a mosquito net, a fruit tree, or many others to send to the poor and desolate. Here is the link. I have set up a personal page just to track how much money we raise, but your donations go 100% to World Vision. Click below!!

http://mygiftcatalog.worldvision.org/site/TR/GiftCatalog/GiftCatalog?px=1407541&pg=personal&fr_id=1660

Merry Christmas and May you experience Christ in a deeper and more personal way this year than ever before! Simple is better. I'm not sending out cards this year. And the adults in my family are not sharing gifts. My goal is to pour out.
And remember: it's okay to keep Jesus out all year long!