We are officially one week into 2017!
By internet standards, this blog post is a day late and a dollar short. I must admit, though, that while the New Year is already old news to the blogosphere, I am barely finding the quiet moments needed to tread into that deeper place of my heart, dust off the cobwebs, and reflect on this past year as I also contemplate a new beginning. A fresh start. Another year.
“Love is patient, love is kind…”
First, a story.
Several weeks ago, I took our youngest daughter to her therapy appointments. Alisa is 12 months old, and she receives occupational therapy and physical therapy twice a week. Alisa also has Down syndrome.
Yesterday, Christians across the nation awoke with tempered spirits and broken hearts. For weeks and months on end, we have prayed for America and watched with bated breath. Yesterday, all of the unrest, the backbiting, the frustration, and the turmoil came to a head. What would be the culmination of what has been a most horrific display of corruption, immorality, and ugly politics? Who would “win”?
Of course, no one can feign ignorance, as the headlines are everywhere. Donald Trump has defeated Hillary Clinton in a surprising turn of events. Donald Trump is the 45th President-Elect of the United States of America.
We are quickly approaching Alisa’s first birthday, and the anticipation and excitement at our home is palpable. As with any time of celebration, I have been feeling rather nostalgic, reflecting on where we were one year ago and where we are now. I’ve found myself thinking frequently, “If only I knew then what I know today...” If only I could have written myself a letter to read on the day of her birth, with all of the insight and knowledge I have gained through this year of growth as Alisa's mom, what would I have said?
In celebration of her birth and with all the joy I have come to know through her life, I've written that letter below.
Recently, a firestorm erupted when Jason Thomas shared to Facebook a letter he had received from his church one year ago. The letter, detailing reasons for his removal from active church membership, cited Jason’s departure from core beliefs of the church since he had chosen to pursue a homosexual lifestyle.
As is the case in today’s cultural climate, reactions online covered the gamut of emotions, from outrage and hatred, to shock and disbelief, to support and understanding. And once again, one hotly debated topic became the nature of love, namely Christian love. Had the church acted in an unloving manner? According to the world, this answer is an unequivocal “yes”; the church, however, has a different take on the situation.
It was a year ago today that we entered what would become one of the most difficult and trying experiences of our lives. The sun shined brightly that 2nd day of September, and I was 30 weeks pregnant, my abdomen swollen with life. For all intents and purposes, life was normal…except that it wasn’t.
