I need a silent night

I need a Silent Night

I sang that song by Amy Grant several years ago at a Christmas luncheon with our women’s ministries.  My daughter, then only 4 years old, recited the scripture from Luke 2 and Isaiah 9, which serves as a bridge to another round of the chorus.  We spent several weeks preparing and memorizing together.  It was a special time of bonding for mother and child during a season when taking the time to snuggle on the couch with a Bible is hard to come by. 

As I look back on those precious moments I have no regrets for taking that time.  She recited the scripture beautifully during our performance and beamed as the women erupted in applause.  She was a star for that slice in time.

We have many traditions in our household at Christmas as I am sure you do as well.  Trimming the tree, baking cookies, special Christmas concerts, wearing red and green, lights on the front yard shrubbery all add to the festiveness of this season.  While most nights are busy in our home several times a week we pull out our Bibles and read.  Usually one simple verse and a prayer.  It takes a moment.  A sliver of time that you will never regret.  

My children are 15, 13, and 11 now, I will do my best to insert God’s word into their hearts at every age as a long as I am breathing.

Seven years have passed since that Christmas luncheon and when I hear Amy Grant crooning “I need a silent night,” I am reminded of God’s promises and faithfulness to me and our family.  I would encourage you to take time during this busy season, create a moment in a silent night.   

I promise you will not regret it.

Life had definitely changed for the Davis family.

There is no way to fully catch you up on all the changes we have been through in the last two years but to name a few of the big ones would give you a point of reference.  First we moved from Ohio to North Carolina.  We moved twice in 8 months actually, totally nuts!  We bought our dream home, a cabin in the woods.  And then as if that wasn't enough we walked away from 9 years of homeschooling and entered a Christian school.

Yep, we're certifiably nuts.

We have been running like little rats in a race trying to adjust to all these HUGE changes.  The kids have been troopers taking everything in stride.  I re-entered the workplace as an English teacher for high school students.  We leave the house at 7am and return around 5pm as long as there are no sports practices, music lessons or club meetings.

Weekends have become more valuable than ever before in our live with children.  And for the first time in their lives they are realizing the value of an empty Saturday.

This Saturday was less than empty however...
It started with a wrecker/tow truck hauling our little Fit away.  The night before as my husband pulled into the driveway it started this awful grinding noise as he was shifting gears, we're pretty sure the transmission is shot ($$$$$$).

Our younger two went on a middle school youth outing to a corn maze about 45 minutes away.  Ethan after two hours of fun and running on hay bales jumped and rolled off of one landing on his arm and began to scream in pain.  I received a phone call from our pastor who met me at the ER.  After x-rays it was confirmed that he has a buckled fractured ulna and came home with a sugar splint. Sounds sweet but it's a heavy bulky fiberglass cast.
As I was leaving the ER I called my husband to report on the patient and he informed me that our dog pooped all over our carpet in the masterbedroom....What else could happen on one day!

But then I learned that a friend of ours also has a broken arm, his wife is battling breast cancer and they have 5 children ranging in ages from 2-12 years old.

See, and then I put all my struggles into perspective and realize that God has it all under control.  He sees me and He knows me and He cares about me.  I don't know how much it will cost to get the car fixed, or how my son's arm will heal, or whether my children will ever fully adjust to the school experience, but I know who does.

I know the Maker of all good things.  I know the Holy God and he loves me.  He has engraved my name on the palm of his hand and calls me his own.  He has grafted me into his family, I am adopted into the inheritance of those who believe on His name.

He's got this.  This car.  This arm.  This life.

Thank you Lord for all your wonderful works.  For what you have done, what you are doing and what you will do in my life and in the life of my family.

This is scary

am I starting something bigger than myself...
This journey of life has brought me to a place I never imagined...isn't that just like God though?
So here I am trying to get an idea of what the next step in life I should take and I walk into a great opportunity to produce art, create, and teach art to others.

My canvas art consists of mixed media combining found papers, made papers, designed patterns, even designing stencils to make a canvas that portrays a scripture...

It all started a year ago at this same time.  I was at a youth conference as a youth volunteer and I prayed during that week for God's direction in my life and talents that he has given me.  My mind opened up and ideas began to flow and they have continued through today.

Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to see with kingdom eyes, to create and enjoy color, form and line.  My running to your arms has produced a wonderful result.  I owe all that I am and all that I will be to you!