Reflection for December 28
Mary Billingsley, The Flight to Egypt Shrine
Living fully as a human means being challenged to accept life’s paradoxes. Reading this gospel, I find myself in the familiar place of grappling with the “both/ands.”
We begin reading about the angel visiting Joseph in his dream. Joseph listens. His family is kept safe. I reflect on our Father's promises of protection. With thanksgiving, I remember times I have witnessed this in my own life. I think of the lengths God goes to keep His children safe according to His plan.
From here we read about crazy Herod, murdering innocent babies. We are left with Rachel, in deep visceral grief, "her children no more." I reflect on the apparent contrast in God's provision. Yes, as a Christian I realize what this means. God is always there to go through "it" with us, to console us and comfort us, no matter what. "𝐼𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡, 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑" (John 16:37).
In all honesty, as I reflect on the times I have been "Rachel"... "𝑠𝑜𝑏𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑢𝑑 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒," these words appear to fall short.
I know I speak for many when I say, one can grow weary "taking heart," when our vulnerability has been shaken awake through great loss and deep pain. Full of questions, doubts, thoughts of unfairness, injustice, and cruelty, I can spiral here. I am capable of traveling these dark dead-end paths. Although it is always my desire to tie it all up neatly and present it with a bow, that is not possible.
Where to go?
As I pray, I find myself going back to the beginning, revisiting Joseph's dream. Again ... the lengths God goes to to protect His children according to His plan. According to HIS PLAN. Sure, we see baby Jesus here, spared at two years old. But we know that 30-something years later that would not be the case. Jesus went on to be crucified. He suffered, died, and was buried. It was not yet known. They would come to know. We know now.
The story was not over.
He rose again.
Our stories here are not finished. Wherever "here" finds you or me right now. Maybe you are traveling on a dark or uncertain road or feeling lost in the heaviness of grief. Thank God for Jesus. He is our way, our truth, and our life.
To Him be the Glory. ❤️
Gina Flanagan