Devotional

Where’s the Joy?

Posted on December 2, 2024 by tricialathrop

December 1

Christmas comes with great joy and anticipation. The joyful narrative of Jesus’ birth, announced with the joyful words of the angels. “For unto us a child is born in the city of David, a savior who is Christ the Lord.” Children and adults sing joyful carols like “Joy to the World”, “Angels We Have Heard on High”, “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bells” everywhere we go. Our eyes delight in the colors of the season, red, green, gold, silver and rich blues and purples, even the whimsical pink ornaments. We joyfully give and receive gifts.

It’s my favorite time of the year. But this year will be different.

One month ago, the doctor revealed that my husband, Norm, after months of testing, had the dreaded C-word. It’s an aggressive cancer that requires aggressive treatment, three rounds of chemo in the last four weeks.

In the last four months, we’ve seen plan after plan fall to the wayside. Norm’s trip to photograph canyons and mountains in the west, fell to the wayside as he grew weaker and weaker. Plans to go north and see the fall colors in Vermont and follow the peak colors along the Blue Ridge Parkway and all through the Smokies, vaporized as we searched for answers. Christmas plans to celebrate the holiday with our children and grandchildren won’t happen until his treatment is complete. Norm will miss our traditional holiday events, “The Christmas Carol”, a play we’ve seen for the last 30 years…except for the Covid years, The Nativity Pageant, the lighting of the town Christmas Tree. While I’ll be able to participate in some of these events, it will be without him.

Where’s the joy? For a time, I focused on the losses of missed events and family connections. I continue to watch my husband struggle in health and attitude. My faith is challenged, knowing God can miraculously remove the cancer from his body, but has chosen to allow Norm to go through the pain of chemo.

So this year for the Advent season, I decided to search for joy and to write each day. It’s an unknown path, with an unknown result and there may be days I miss.

A verse that keeps coming to mind during this journey: “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

My thanks for today: From September to October, Norm endured test after test. Along the way, doctors recognized his need for answers. Each one had a part in getting the ball rolling and keeping at it until an answer was reached. The oncologist sent him immediately to the hospital, where they discovered the cancer had advanced faster than anticipated. I am grateful for the doctors, nurses and support staff at the University of Tennessee Hospital cancer unit. Their care and concern is far above what I expected. My husband is alive today because of the care and intervention of these doctors: Dr. Semeco, Dr. Hayes, Dr. Wheeler, and Dr. Cutrer.

Prayer: That God will miraculously remove the cancer from Norm’s body. But if he chooses not to, prayer that Norm will have the strength of body, mind and spirit to endure and let the chemo do it’s work against the cancer with minimal side effects. We have two friends who are also traveling the cancer journey at this time, Tony and Donna, that they will find healing and refreshing as they walk the path before them.

Rejoice: Jesus Christ came into the world to live as a human. He revealed the character of God in his words and action. He suffered and died on the cross to provide a way for us to experience a relationship with God. While he walked among the people, he had compassion and mercy for all who suffered He healed the sick, delivered the oppressed, declared and demonstrated the love of God for all humanity.

Where’s the joy? “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17.

Could God have delivered Norm from the cancer miraculously? yes. Why didn’t he? I don’t know. This I do know, God loves Norm and has him in the palm of his hand.

Despite the circumstances, I can have joy because the God who created all things, loves Norm and loves me.

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9

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Ringing of the Bells

Posted on December 9, 2022 by tricialathrop

I love a good bell choir, especially at Christmas! The resonating sound of the bells lifts my spirit. I joined the bell choir at our church in Cincinnati. I had never played the bells before and had a lot to learn. I walked into the first rehearsal with my white gloves and met the other ladies. Only one had played before.

Before us lay shiny brass bells arranged from largest to smallest. Each bell plays only one note. Our bells ranged in size from the large D below middle C with its deep “BONG”, to a tiny high-pitched tinkling B-flat. Each of us would be responsible for up to four bells.

We put on our white gloves to protect the bells. The oil from our hands could change the tone of the bells over time. We walked along the table, testing each of the bells to decide which we’d like to play. Surprisingly, none of us chose the same bells.

I chose to play the larger bells with the lowest notes. I picked up the D and rang it. It made my whole are vibrate. I learned various ways to hold the bell to change the quality of the sound. Sometimes I left it on the table and plucked the clapper, or I swung the bell letting it slide along my side, and sometimes I rang it in no special way.

After we felt comfortable with our bells, we began to play a song. The director gave us a very slow count. I watched the music for my notes and joyfully rang my bells when called for. Sometimes I forgot to switch the bell and rang the wrong bell. Sometimes I rang the right bell at the wrong time. I wasn’t the only one.

The director slowed the song even more. We practiced for weeks until we could play one song correctly at the right tempo. We had a very patient director.

To make music that harmonized and blended into a beautiful song, we had to be in one accord, united in tempo and mood. We put our individual preferences on hold as we searched for the best sound for each song. The director determined the playing of the bells, interpreting the intent of the composer. Some bells tolled the melody, and others provided background harmony. Some bells tolled for an entire song, while others lay on the table, ready to be rung if needed.

When we got it, each of us playing the right bell at just the right time, the harmony blended to an engaging melody, blessing all who heard it. If even one bell tolled out of place, we all flinched.

We are bells in God’s choir, each of us unique in tone and purpose. He has written a beautiful melody for the people who follow Jesus Christ to play together. When each of us rings our note at the right time, the world hears a song that gives praise and glory to God.

The body is a unit though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.

So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, salves or free, and we were all given the one Spirit to drink…

But in fact, God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13:8

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Cousin John, The Baptist

Posted on December 8, 2022 by tricialathrop

There was a man sent from god whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. John 1:6-8

Jesus called him the greatest man ever born of a woman. They were cousins. An angel announced their birth before they were conceived. God provided both of their names. Each had a call to a great ministry in Israel. Both had large crowds of people flocking to hear the message they spoke. Both died horrible deaths reserved for criminals.

The mothers, Mary and Elizabeth, experienced a close bond due to the circumstances of the births of their children. I imagine that Jesus and John would have played together and looked forward to the yearly trips to Jerusalem. Six months older than Jesus, John probably enjoyed showing the younger Jesus how things were done.

But John had a specific call on his life. “He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.” John 1:7. He announced Jesus to the world saying, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” John 1:29.

He lived in the wilderness. Many came to hear his message of repentance. The crowd not only included common people, but tax collectors, soldiers, Sadducees and Pharisees, as well as royalty. He did not back down to power, calling the Sadducees and Pharisees a generation of vipers. And he confronted Herod about his unlawful marriage.

In prison, doubts assaulted his thoughts. I wonder if he expected to serve side by side with Jesus, to help usher in the Kingdom of Heaven. Instead, he sat in prison under the threat of death. He sent to ask if Jesus was truly the one they awaited. Jesus answered:

“Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” Matthew 11:4-6.

Jesus answered John with promises found in Isaiah.

In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. Isaiah 29:18

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Isaiah 35:5-6

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1.

Jesus proof to a man of scripture came from the scriptures.

As the men left to tell John the news, Jesus continued to comment about John.

“This is the one about whom it is written: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you. I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” Matthew 11:10-11

I’m sure the disciples of John heard the words of praise and let John know that he said, in essence: “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter now into the joy of the Lord.” Matthew 25:21.

John served faithfully. He fulfilled his mission to present Jesus Christ to the nation of Israel. He prepared the way for the Kingdom of God by encouraging the people to repent of their sins.

Jesus encouraged John while he sat in his cell, giving John the strength he needed to remain true to the Lord until his death at the hand of Herod.

When we serve the Lord, it doesn’t always go as we expect. He calls us to remain faithful despite the circumstances we find ourselves in. When I meet him face to face, I want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter now into the joy of the Lord.”

What about you?

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Reflections

Posted on December 2, 2022 by tricialathrop

I bought a towel that says “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, I am my mother after all.” My mother passed away last year, but her image lives on in each of her children…and in some of her grandchildren. Whether in physical appearance, behavior, or words, whenever we get together, at some point I think, “Wow. That is so Mom.”

At this time of year, we focus on Jesus as the baby in the manger. He limited himself to a human body, helpless and totally dependent on his parents for food, clothing, protection, and love. And like us, he grew up, experiencing all that the human life has to offer along with its joys and sorrows.

Jesus came to earth as the image of the invisible God, but mankind had become so hardened that they did not see the character of God. It had all been forgotten, set aside, lost in the day-to-day business of life.

When Philip asked to see the Father, Jesus replied, “Have I been with all of you for so long a time, and do you not recognize and know me yet Philip? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say then, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:9) Even the disciples struggled to see Jesus for who he really was.

Over the years, our distortions color our perceptions of God. Some of us see him as one who does not care, an indistinct being somewhere out there. Others see him as a cruel taskmaster, punishing us for all offenses. Some deny his existence altogether.

And yet, Jesus took on our form, our sinful and warped image, and reflected the image of a perfectly holy and merciful God. He had compassion on those who hurt. He grieved with those who were in despair. He healed all who came to him for help. He went out of his way to talk to the unlovely. He had courage to challenge the self-righteous. And finally, revealing the enormity of God’s love for us, he embraced our sins and took them to the cross, dying in our place.

Jesus came as the reflection of God, compassionate, caring, holy and righteous. He died the reflection of man, self-serving, corrupt and sinful.

Though evil in our world distorts our perceptions, through Jesus Christ, we can not only come to know the true God, we too can reflect the image of God to a lost and distorted world. We can care for those around us. We can offer hope for those in despair. We can share God’s love, because Jesus demonstrated his love for us on the cross.

And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

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