Room at the Inn or The Night Baby Jesus Came to Stay

The doorbell rang just as we sat down to read. Luke 2, the story of the birth of Jesus was the plan. Wondering who it could be we opened the door, only to stare, stumped at the baby in the manger.

Baby Jesus was on our doorstep. No letter, no note, no idea of why he had come or who had put him there.

"So , what do we do with him?"
"Well, we start by bringing him inside."

There it is, the statement that caught my attention, "we start by bringing him inside". Isn't that the way it all begins? Simply by letting Christ into our hearts, into our lives.

Christmas Eve night and all the next day I pondered the meaning of the question of whether I let Christ into my life. Do I make room at my inn?

We searched for who he might belong to. My sons were certain that someone had given baby Jesus to us, I cautioned them that we had to be sure to try to find his owners. The quality and care with which he was wrapped had me concerned that he belonged in someone's beautiful nativity display. The manger was handmade, animal skins lined the bed, and the babe was wrapped in swaddling clothes. Herbs and hay padded the manger, making a soft and safe place for the baby to lay. Care and love was shown in every part of the bed. I think that Joseph and Mary would have shown such care, still I feared that someone was missing a vital piece to their holiday this year.

Christmas night I received a message- Baby Jesus had come to stay for the next year. A reminder to make room at our inn. After focusing on the beauty of the gift of that life and offering a year of random acts of service, we will have the opportunity to pass him on. We will choose a family and gift baby Jesus to them, a note will explain all, what a fun way to remember what is important.

I pray that my sons will always remember the year that baby Jesus came to stay. God bless and keep you.

"What Do I Say?"

We all have them, those moments and times when we can't fathom what someone else is going through and we freeze. What do I do? What can I do? What do I say? The doubts creep in, the second guessing. Wondering if we are making it worse instead of better. We fear putting ourselves out there. We fear crossing lines and boundaries and we sit, paralyzed, unable to move one way or the next.

Coming from someone who has had many bad days and good days all I can tell you, let go of yourself, your own ego, and do something. If you don't know what to say, say that. If you just hurt for someone, its ok to acknowledge it. The worst thing you can do is put the responsibility for your sense of ego on the person going through the trial. This is not about your agenda or experience, it is about the other person and showing them that they are not alone. That is it. It is not about you!

I would make some simple cautions; do not give advice, do not make things about you, and accept that the other person may not want your help.


What should you do? What can you do?

• Show and express real empathy. (B. Brown has an amazing video online that demonstrates how to show empathy to others.)

 

 

• Offer tangible help. Be willing to get your hands dirty; fold laundry, play with kids, bring chocolate. What need is best able to be filled by you? When do you need to recruit others to help?

• Be honest and genuine in your communications. Differences in lifestyle, economy, politics, even family status, well, they don't matter when showing love and concern for others. Be honest in your statements and the love and concern will come through. Trials are not a time for second guessing and judgment. As I said earlier, don't give advice.
• Most importantly, show love and concern for the person. This isn't about you and your ego. Recognition, honor, excitement- a real friend is in for the long haul, they don't need the attention garnered by helping.

 

I have heard it said that "If you can't be kind, be quiet." While good advice, silence can often speak of emotional distance to someone experiencing a life trial. I would suggest a soft smile, a hug or handshake, expression of concern for them as a person, and let go of you. Let go and serve them as you can, in the ways you can. We can, in all ways, trust in the spirit that leadeth to do good.

 



 

 

God bless and keep you. 

Be Your Own Hero: HEROIC

After 10 years working to help children and families, I can barely function in my own life. I need help to get through even a simplified version of my day. I am blessed in that I have incredible support from loved ones. Neighbors, family and friends all put forth just a little effort to make sure I can make rehab appointments, keep a clean home, and see to the emotional needs of my children.

In this world, and living a half-life, it is so easy to be sidelined, forgotten, and skipped over. Living a life filled with rehabilitation, recovery, and limited activity, you can easily be missed. It is vital that you remember that you are the hero/heroine of your own story. You take back seat to no one. Being unable to do much does not mean that you are stuck doing nothing.

After two very stress filled weeks of testing and evaluation, I did something about it. I reached outside of myself and was able to participate with HEROIC, in making some kids very happy. HEROIC is a group comprised of individuals who pass both a screening and interview process. They design and maintain their own costumes and must pass a review board prior to using their costumes in reaching out to children and family events. No compensation, no money is ever exchanged. They work to represent their character in-line with branding and marketing. They have a code of not doing anything to demean either the character, or the organization.

HEROIC asks for no financial compensation as each person creates a look, passes a review board, and uses that look to make kids smile. This is all done on their own time. They attend conventions and willingly pose with kids and families. They support local library reading events or other local events to promote community, safety, and family. They respond to community requests for children having surgery, staying in the hospital, and annually help with Toys for Tots drives. You can learn more and enjoy some of what they have done by reaching out. HEROIC Inc.

As part of my review process I attended, for a few short hours, a local kids fair. Seeing the excitement, enjoyment, and hearing the laughs of the kids was a balm to my (shut away) soul. I miss helping kids. I miss so much their pleasure when you notice them. Their spontaneity and smiles while with their families. Even the reactions of some adults on seeing much loved characters brought to life brought a smile to my face. It was a joyful experience,  made better by associating with others who feel the way that I do. It was all about the kids.

I found that even with the stress and anxiety of the unknown that I am dealing with, I can bring joy to others. I can serve. I cannot do much, but I can do something. Have I Done Any Good?

I am the heroine of my own life, just as you are the hero of yours. Don't let anyone tell you differently. If it is hard to imagine yourself as the hero, be a child's hero, as much as you can be.

Nothing feels better than helping someone else smile, just because you can.

God bless and keep you.