When Heaven And Earth Meet

By the hundreds they gathered over the field, a whole host of angels. They could see the shepherds thoughtlessly going through their duties, the way earthly bound beings thoughtlessly went about everything. Some of the more cynical angels seemed a little disappointed that the proclamation they were prepared to give would be done in such a mundane setting, but those thoughts were fleeting. This was the night that all of heaven had been preparing for thousands of years. This would be the night that changed all of humanity for eternity. The angels could not help but wonder if the earthly bound beings would grasp the meaning of it all. They were so limited by their insight and knowledge of all things spiritual. Yet, that was not their concern. Their mission had been carefully planned, the announcement would be made as soon as the signal was given. That was another thing. Although the mission carefully planned, the announcement meticulously written the actual signal itself had not been described. They were simply told that they would recognize the signal when it was given. The angels had no trouble accepting this as fact and eagerly awaited the moment. The earthly bound beings may not know what was going on this gentle evening, but without a doubt the earth herself knew that all things would soon change. The shepherds had began to notice the ever changing sky and they stood like statues staring in awe at the sight that unfolded before them. The angels, the shepherds and even the sheep stood in anticipation, waiting for the moment when heaven and earth would meet in the form of a crying child.

No Ordinary Night

The night was as still as they had seen it in a while. Not a breeze could be felt as they lay around the camp. The older of the shepherds had already drifted into their nightly slumber. Since they had seniority they got the first hours of watch, the one in the early evening hours. They left the early morning hours to the young shepherds. The older shepherds had seen all of the strange early morning happenings, heard all of the alarming noises that accompanied the darkness. As far as they were concerned the young ones needed the experience in determining the difference between real danger and imagined danger. It was funny the tricks your mind could play on you when all you had was the moon and the sound of the earth to keep you awake. Besides, watching the young ones get used to the dark hours amused the old ones immensely. The young ones would not wake the old ones unless they knew there was a real threat. They were tired of their over reactions being the topic of every village meal once they returned home. After a while it just wasn't funny anymore, at least not to them. The shepherds like the rest of the world had been lulled into somewhat of a spiritual slumber. Stories of the coming Messiah was part of their heritage, something they grew up hearing about all their lives. The 400 years of silence had brought some Jews to cease the anticipation of the long awaited Messiah. Many had gone about their daily lives as if a Savior would never come. Among the shepherds in the field that night, many of the young ones had never given it much thought.... That was until the sky began to lighten as if covered by a white mist. At first they stared in total shock, there was no way they would wake the old ones because the sky was turning a hazy white. Then as they continued to look the outline of the angels began to materialize before their very eyes. Ever so gradually angel after angel appeared, transfixed between heaven and earth. Although the stillness never ceased, an atmosphere of anticipation began to sweep over the country side awakening the older shepherds. Their eyes popped open like wild prey was standing over them. Immediately their eyes turned upward to see the appearing of what looked like angels... If this was a dream it was no ordinary dream and if this wasn't a dream then this was no ordinary night.

Not A Typical King

The wings of the angles spread out touching tip to tip creating a barrier around the young couple. They had been given strict instructions about the amount of comfort they could give. Their presence provided cover from the evil forces that searched throughout the area looking to interfere with the Father's plans. The head angel had been the one chosen to deliver the message to the young girl in the beginning. He remembered how young and innocent she looked as he relayed the message of the coming events. For just a second he wondered if he had misinterpreted his instructions and was giving the news to the wrong girl. Surely this could not be the one the Father had selected to bring the Savior into the world. A quickening in the heaven's got his attention and he continued to recite the news to the girl who stood mesmerized by his words. Tonight she looked totally different than she had the day he first saw her. It seemed she had aged 10 years. No longer did she look like a child, tonight she looked like a woman in the travail of giving birth. Being selected by the Father doesn't mean the journey will be easy, that's why such care is taken in those he chooses. Tonight the Father's instructions were very pointed. They were sent to provide protection, strength and encouragement. They were prevented however, from relieving the couple from any pain or trouble experienced in a typical earthly childbirth. It was difficult to stand back and not intervene. The best they could do is prompt Joseph with encouraging words to offer Mary and to give them both strength that had been sent with them from above. Still it looked to be a very agonizing process, this birth. The angels staunchly held their ground and trusted that the Father knew best when it came to the process of saving the world. This wasn't what they imagined when they were given the assignment of protecting the couple as they delivered the King of Kings.... This was much more humble and these people more common than they expected . No, this couple was not the typical royal family most would be looking for, and their son would prove in every possible way that he would not be.... a typical King.

The Other Half Of Me

She snuggled up beside me

With a giggle and a grin

I am a little taken back

Where did she come from and when?

You know me well, she calmly states

We go back from the beginning of time

We used to play in the yard when small

You know, your yard and mine

I looked at her with piercing eyes

No recognition at all

No hint of remembrance, no faint memory

This girl I clearly saw

The sound of her voice, the way her words were formed

Her blue green eyes, her hair,

Nothing struck a cord with me

Not one single thing we shared

Tell me more, I quietly asked

Searching for some kind of clue

How do we know each other

I don't seem to remember you

Her smile didn't fade, her eyes didn't blink

She took no mind at all

That I had forgotten our long lost connection

That I could not recall

She touched my arm and sighed a sigh

And searched for words to say

I thought she would tell me stories of us

The games we used to play

I'm not surprised, she finally said

That you do not know my name

There's hardly a resemblance left for you

To know we are the one and same

I am you, so long ago

Seems like forever and a day

Way back when you were really young

And your heart was way more tame

You are but half of me the half most people saw

The half you used to please the ones

Who raised you when you were small

A much different girl you've become

A much different woman you are

Than the one that you present to those

Who seek to judge your heart

Just one request I simply ask

If I might be so brave

Don't forget the side of you

That has always kept you safe

I'm the one whose judgement you used

When you were young and free

All I ask as you search yourself

Always remember me.

Never forget the things we were taught

When we were but just small

And never look back and regret the things

That we cannot change at all

Just go forward, continue to grow

In knowledge and strength and love

The time we are now experiencing

Is something we'll rise above

It's new for us, this life of ours

It's nothing we planned to see

The ending to the dreams we dreamed

The things we thought would be

But that's alright, don't be alarmed

It's just a point in life

Where the things that were and the things that are

Get tangled within the heart

I'm right here, I'll always be

We're together and always have been

The good, the bad, the tame and wild 

From the beginning until the end

From Here to Eternity

Waiting beneath the weight of silence

Wondering what will become
Listening for an awakening
Ready to sing your song
Preparing myself for the brokenness
The end will finally bring
Unwilling to face reality
Most painful of anything
The future seems so uncertain
The past a distant fog
The moment I'm currently standing in
Is someone else's viewed from afar
I have searched but found no answer
listened but heard no voice
Prayed but found no comfort
Cried with no remorse
The shadows will forever haunt me
Of things I've left undone
Of those I've disappointed
And the ones I've knowingly wronged
The hope I currently long for
Is that forgiveness and grace will be
Bountiful and long reaching
From here to eternity

Which Realm Are You Living In

Having touched something that cannot be held

I stand with empty hands

Having tasted something that cannot be savored

I am left incompete

Having heard a voice that has no body

I continue to wonder

Having smelled a fragrance yet find no bloom

My garden remains barren

And yet will I

Reach out to touch again

Bring to my lips the taste of that

Listen for music in the wind

Cherish the thought of spring

Could anything be so beautiful

As that which I continue to dream

Truly most things of beauty exists 

Outside our realm of reality

Yet our reality holds beauty we have not seen

Which realm are you living in????

Holiday Cheer??

The emails I get from Sissy continue to be positive. She seemed to really enjoy the last port they stopped at...
got to do some neat stuff. She says it's easier missing the holiday while on deployment since everybody is "in the same boat". Unfortunately I have a little tear in my eye and a lump in my throat as I go about my holiday preparations. This Momma is really missing her little girl who shares her love for the holidays and all of the holiday prepping women do. This year in an effort to keep the holidays from being so sad without her, we've planed a ski trip the week before Christmas with several of our best friends as a family gift. I'm not missing the stress of doing the holiday shopping but I am missing getting to wrap my color coordinated Christmas gifts (it's just one of my quirky obsessions). In spite of my inner sadness I'm determined that I will put on a smile and not let the boys see it (they would never get it anyway). My husband (who is a saint) has become quiet used to walking in a room only to see me weeping for no reason at all. It's not like a woman can really explain it anyway to a man whose loins have never been ripped apart in childbirth. At times like these it would be nice to have the Que Sera Sera way of coping that most men enjoy. I love being a woman but sometimes the intensity of the emotions we so aptly display can be a little hard to handle and absolutely impossible to explain. I know all of you Navy Moms understand that especially those with daughters. So I'm putting on my "Holiday Cheer" although most of it is nothing but put on.... Next year will be a whole different story.