Dear friends,
On November 18th my mom and I were involved in a car accident. (Shortly after I picked her up from the airport!) My mom was bruised from the seat belt and my right wrist has multiple fractures. (I'm typing with my left pointer finger) Writing is challenging. But...that has left me with more time to read! Over the next few weeks I will bring you 4 excellent authors with 4 very unique books and messages.
Today I am introducing you to my friend and fellow mentor mom from The MOM Initiative, Julie Sanders. You will love her!
with faith, hope, and love,
Lori
We
imagine the encounter, but we can only guess the details. There must have been a
knock and an inquiry at the door of the inn, but we don’t know if Mary stood
hopefully with Joseph or at a distance. Maybe her contractions were underway,
or maybe they were still just an expectation. The innkeeper might have paused, but
maybe he shot back a quick retort. With people flocking to their hometowns for
the census, the hospitality industry was overwhelmed. Maybe Joseph pled or hung
his head in resignation as the keeper closed the door. We only know the
Christ-bearing couple was turned away, ending up in a shelter for animals to
receive the Prince of Peace. Parents do what it takes to care for their
children, even if they’re not divine!
“And
Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and
lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with
child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she
gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid
him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:4-7)
We don’t
know the details, but we know the innkeeper missed the opportunity of a
lifetime. The celebration of the coming of the Son of God needed a host, but he
missed out on being part of the glory. Locked into the limitations of his life
and his expectations of the events, he missed a divine opportunity.
Maybe
the inhospitable innkeeper didn’t miss the opportunity of a lifetime. Perhaps
the keeper of the crowded inn saw the star, heard the angels, or bumped into
the praise-filled shepherds. Maybe he had another chance to receive God’s gift
to mankind, and maybe then he welcomed Jesus into his life.
Do you
need to clear away some of the clutter and make room to welcome Him back in to
your life, your home, your family, and your celebration?
Dear Father who sent Your own
Son,
Thank you for knocking at the
door of my heart. I want to come dwell where you belong. There is room for you
in our home, our lives, our hearts this Christmas. Welcome.
Julie
lives where tea is sweet and grits are cheesy. She and her husband of 25 years
have two nearly grown kids. EXPECTANT:
40 Devotions for New and Expectant Moms was born when God brought a group of young couples
into their lives, just as they began to long to grow their families. Julie
loves to teach God’s word to women in her hometown and across the globe; she is
passionate about fighting human trafficking and helping women of all tribes and
tongues find God’s peace for life. Check
out Julie’s blog home Come Have a
Peace (www.juliesanders.org) and Marriage Mondays to
find reasons for peace and information about her ministry. Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ComeHaveaPeace with One Minute4MOM
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