Recently I had the privilege to visit Calvary Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia.  I always enjoy going and worshipping with my daughter and grandson at Calvary.  (Just that warm inviting atmosphere.)

With Christmas approaching, I assumed the message would be centered on the Christmas Story. Everyone was dressed in their red Christmas attire. We all sang “Joy to the World” with smiles on our faces. After a few minutes of Brother Jeff’s message, I found out my assumption was wrong. My red Christmas sweater started feeling really hot and my “Joy to the World” was not so joyful.  It was as if everyone in the room had disappeared and I was the only one left to hear this message.

He began by talking about the earthquake in California that happened in 1994.  He said, “When the people came out of their homes following the earthquake, they saw these strange lights in the sky.” (By this time I was on the edge of my seat….I wanted to know what they saw!)

“They began to call 911 to report these lights.” ………Only to find out, THEY WERE STARS IN THE SKY!

Well, I already had this one figured out…..The buildings that had been standing prior to the earthquake had been in the way of these people noticing the stars!  WRONG

THESE PEOPLE HAD BEEN SO BUSY LIVING AND DOING LIFE……THEY HAD NOT TAKEN THE TIME TO LOOK UP AND NOTICE THE STARS IN THE SKY.

The pastor tied this in with us looking and praying for a miracle; but being so busy with life we may actually miss the miracle God is trying so desperately to show us (Yeah, he was talking to me…..)

Next point……Being in the Lord’s Waiting Room.

(How did this man know I was going to be at his church today?)

Hear my heart…….

Being in the Lord’s Waiting Room is hard, it is tiring.  It’s lonely and sometimes painful.

At times you may ask, “Does He hear my prayers? Does He care?”

C.S. Lewis in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe described being in the Lord’s waiting room as ”Always Winter but never Christmas.”  Yes, this is exactly how I had been feeling.

As painful as this message was, I needed to hear it.  I needed to hear that He does care; He does hear my prayers. I needed to hear that the darkness will break and I will be able to see the stars in the sky once again.

Several days later, as I was having my quiet time, the Lord brought to mind a song that I had not thought of in many years, “Written In Red.”  As I listened and the tears fell, I knew it was an embrace from my Father.

*Take the time to notice His Miracles.

*He loves you.

*He cares about you.

*He does hear your prayers.

Treading for Jesus,

Sharon

Gather Vocal Band – Written In Red