It almost feels like an out of body experience.

Listening to David Nevue’s “Broken,” and clicking away at my keyboard.

When I think of blogging, I think of the “good ole days” when I got up at 5:00 a.m. and wrote every single morning before heading to work.

I haven’t actually missed 5:00 a.m.,

 but I’ve definitely missed blogging.

It’s strange how a move and a pandemic can change more than your address or how you prepare for a social outing.

Everything feels different.

I miss hugs.

I miss seeing smiles in the grocery store.

I miss my old house.

I miss my old community.

I miss the easy access to my friend’s front and back porches.

And I miss my old routines.

There’s very little about this new season of life that feels like the old one.

Like leaves falling from a tree,

I’ve had to let go of so much of what I once considered normal.

And I know many of you have too.

But yesterday, walking the aisles of a discount store in our “new city”

(as my granddaughter refers to the place we now live),

I found myself in the middle of the Christmas section,

and as I gazed at lights and wreaths and trees,

this wooden Nativity craft caught my eye.

For $5.99 I could purchase Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and their whole entourage of worshippers and animals.

If you know me very well at all, you know I love Nativity sets,

so how could I pass this up?

As a matter of fact, I bought two.

Could there be a better gift?

As I looked at the faceless wooden characters,

waiting to be brought to life,

I saw faceless Mary.

And I realized in many ways she could be me…

or you.

Walking a road we never chose.

And then this morning,

my daily Bible reading for October 20th included the angels visit to Mary.

The visit where she learned what was to come.

Out of all the girls who had ever walked on Earth,

she had been selected by God to be the mother of His Son.

“Greetings, you are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

As Mary soaked it all in she calmly replied,

“I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be as you have said.”

When she reached Elizabeth’s house shortly after this,

John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth’s womb,

filling Elizabeth with the Holy Spirit and causing Elizabeth to proclaim,

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”

Mary’s life would never be the same.

EVER.

Today’s Bible reading went on to tell of Jesus’ arrival

and ended with Joseph and Mary in the temple,

consecrating their firstborn Son to His Heavenly Father.

As they arrived, Simeon took Jesus in his arms and began to praise God saying,

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all people,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel.”

It had to be clear in this moment,

Mary and Joseph were in the right place.

But then Simeon turned to Mary and said,

“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in

Israel and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

so that the thoughts of many hears will be revealed.

And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

“A sword will pierce my soul…..

too????”

“What did this mean????”

These questions surely ran through her head.

She, who had been called blessed and favored,

now walking a road she did not choose,

was being told of dark days ahead.

Did these words hang in the air all around her as she watched Jesus grow from a little boy to a man?

Did she remember these words when she was at the foot of the cross,

watching her Son die the most cruel death imaginable?

I hope I get to sit and talk with Mary at some point in Heaven.

I hope I get to give her a hug.

And tell her, “Thank you.”

To me, she is a grieving mom’s best role model for how to walk through life with Hope while sadness hangs closely overhead.

And she offers a perfect example of what to say when you discover your life journey is completely changing directions.

“I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be as you have said.”

Maybe this pandemic has brought loss to your family.

Maybe 2020 has brought unexpected pain.

Or maybe it’s simply brought change you never saw coming.

I have Good News for you this morning.

No matter where 2020 seems to be taking you

or how you’re feeling about the road you’re on,

Jesus came to Earth so He could join you on your journey for even less than $5.99.

“For God so loved the world,

that he (freely) gave his only Son,

that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

2020 is proving to be a year like no other.

And it’s not over yet.

But thank goodness Mary said, “Yes,” to her calling;

and thank goodness, Jesus said, “Yes,” to His.

I don’t know about you, but I needed this reminder.

No matter where today leads me,

I do not walk alone.

Even down Christmas aisles in discount stores in October.

And because of this,

it seemed like a perfect day to turn David Nevue’s music back on and begin clicking away at the keyboard again.

I’ll be back soon,

because even though so much has changed for me and my family in 2020,

“My Heart” still needs “His Word.”

Every single day.

And here’s a little peek at what’s to come on my blog and my podcast.

And on book number two.

A very special thank you to Kaelyn Blevins and his beautiful girl friend, Rachel, for designing my new logo.

You can check out more of their beautiful work by clicking here.

Book one can be found by clicking here and if you have time to write an Amazon review after reading it, I would be so appreciative.
So much love to each of you.