Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Affirmation

Today’s Reading: John 16:21 (NIV)

21 [Jesus said,] “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.”

Good morning!

How much suffering would you be willing to go through if you knew the end result would be new life? There is nothing more painful or exciting than the birth of a baby. Medical technology has greatly improved the labor and delivery experience for women as they physically labor to give birth. Even with epidural spinal blocks, Lamaze training, extra oxygen and free-flowing IVs, the birthing process is not a pain-free experience. New life always comes at a cost. Mothers do not forget the nine months of extreme fatigue before the act of childbirth, or the waves of nausea and dizziness that forced them to spend a great deal of time in their first trimester hugging the porcelain throne. They remember every stretch mark and itchy belly rash, and the way it felt when their baby moved in the womb for the first time. The pain quickly fades away as a mother sees her baby’s face and holds that little life in her arms and feels its first breath against her skin. Would you be willing to endure the pain if you knew the end result is a newborn life?

I saw it last night for the very first time as I walked past the Loft. A wet drizzle and thick blanket of moisture was suspended all around campus. It had rained all day and the sidewalk had become quite slippery. Leaves lined the path, and I averted my eyes toward the sidewalk, watching my step to keep from slipping on the pavement. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a light coming from the side of Butler Hall, and I glanced up quickly to see its source. What I saw made me stop on the sidewalk and do a double-take. The vision took my breath away for a moment, but this is one image that will stay with me forever. The light had cast a shadow along the wall of the building, and I could see the shape of the Shepherd’s staff, belonging to the One I love, leaning against the wall of Butler Hall. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a water pipe firmly affixed to the side of the building. Yet, in that hazy glow, surrounded by the spotlight shining brightly in the night, there was no doubt in my mind that the new life being birthed in this building each week belongs to the Shepherd.

Affirmation often comes in quiet moments, just when we least expect it. I see new life happening at the Loft. Hearts are softened in the power of the Holy Spirit, and warmed as people experience the Gospel message each week. As students and instructors pass through Butler Hall everyday, I am convinced that a birthing process is happening there from within its walls. The coffeehouse ministry is not just a labor of love; it is the delivery room for a brand new life.

Next week, the Vine will host its first “open mike” night at JC’s Java, the Lindenwood Tuesday night coffeehouse. Come experience a fresh breath of new life that comes by knowing the Shepherd. Jesus suffered, died and rose again, to give us a brand new life in Him. There is no doubt the Shepherd is here - I saw His staff leaning against the wall.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Monday, October 06, 2008

The face on the fridge

Today’s Reading: John 16:19-20 (NIV)

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask Him about this, so He said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see Me no more, and then after a little while you will see me?’ 20 I tell you the truth; you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”

Good morning!

We have lots of family photos displayed in the parsonage. Precious moments, captured from days gone by: these are the ones we know and love, some who have gone on before us to be with the Lord. Every morning as I sit down and write, I am surrounded by the people I love captured in photographs on my computer table. My friend Meredith is here, along with Pastor Slagg and my mother, aunt, cousin, husband and children. The children we feed in Nicaragua are smiling back at me, and our eight year old Melvin, a young man from El Salvador whom we’ve sponsored now for almost four years. These are the faces of the people dearest to me. When I look in their eyes, I can see Jesus clearly.

Yesterday afternoon, we had a princess party at the parsonage. Our granddaughters Emily and Madison came over to play with Granny Deb and Pa. We dressed up in pretty jewelry and shared snacks and tea together. In the kitchen, four year old Emily stopped by the refrigerator to admire the picture magnets and art work decorating the door. Next to the faces of our five beautiful grandchildren, is a drawing of Jesus, our Super Hero, a photograph of my husband Jeff sitting in his favorite reading chair, and a picture of my parents, taken when they came to visit our family in Texas twenty-eight years ago. Emily was identifying all of the faces on the fridge, when she suddenly stopped, looked up and exclaimed, “Nanny, look! There’s Gigi and Great Grandpa!” Without hesitation, she said: “Great Grandpa is with Jesus, right Nanny?” I smiled at her and said, “Yes, Emily, he is.” She replied, “Nanny, I just miss him so much.”


Little Emily never knew my dad. He had passed away eight years before she was born.

Jesus understood that when He died, His disciples’ grief would be overwhelming. He also knew that their joy would be made complete when He rose again. For what they could not see clearly now, they would one day know and understand in full. We miss the One whom we’ve not seen with physical, earthly eyes. He is with the Father in glory, and we know that He lives and reigns and works within our hearts. One day soon, we will see Him again, face to face. Like Emily, I miss my Jesus so much. His earthly, human life ended long before I was born, and yet, He lives in my heart. More than a photograph in a frame, Jesus is alive! And I have His Word that one day soon, I will be with Him and the Father in heaven, forevermore.

There’s a face on your fridge this morning, smiling back at you. Look closely; can you see the One you love?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.