Sunday, February 12, 2012

Explanations for the Unexplainable

Last night after a quick trip (ahem) to Saginaw for a league play off game (for Jonah's hockey team...GO THRASHERS!!)  We had pizza with some friends.  And VERY good pizza it was.  We got carry out from Frank's in Wyandotte.  They are legend around these parts of the mitten for making some of the very best home made Italian food and boy did it hit the spot after a long day in the mini-van.

But that is not what I am blogging about tonight.

Because last night could have been like any other typical hockey game night.  We could have ordered pizza, let the kids go crazy, visited and called it a night...

But on this particular night as we were just about out the door, well Joe was...

He had warmed up the van and bundled up the kids.  He grabbed two of the three and headed out the door.  

And as I made my way to the storm door, that was frosting and fogging up from the Michigan cold, my eyes were drawn upward to the top of the glass...

Shadows and light revealed the trees dancing on the hard surface in front of me but my eyes didn't see the winter barren branches...

Instead all I could see were thorns.  

Thorns blazing and poking and twisting into a crown.

I mentioned this to my friends, the owners of the house and as soon as the words left my lips, knowing eyes and nodding heads explained how they were thinking the exact same thing.  

His crown, we were all reminded of...

Our Savior...

And as we all looked back at the door, that storm door that had been wiped off just an hour earlier when the other guests had left.  

We gazed into the glass that was beginning to create an image that would remind us all of a king who was pierced for our transgressions...

And we all see it, at the same time...

We see His hair and His beard...

Our earthly eyes take in His face, turned down with eyes closed and lips curled straight...

We see the image of Jesus melted into the frosted glass with shifting shadows.  Crown of thorns large on his head...

My friend, she takes a picture trying to capture this miraculous manifestation on film.

We are all filled with peace and encouraged, our faith is deepened by this peculiar mystery.

I was amazed, aghast if you will...

But my eldest son Jonah, who was with me...

He didn't see the image.  He was concerned and a bit nervous about the whole episode.

We say good night and make our way through the dark cold night back home.

And all the while I reassured him, spoke the words of truth in those little ears, eager to listen.

I tucked him in tight and whispered prayers and scratched his back.  

And as I settled into bed I wondered if maybe he is a bit like I am most of the time when God shows up big?

Worried and concerned when the hand of God breaks through and reveals himself in a divine way.  

Do I fret and question, second guess?

Do I search for logic and reason among the illogical, the unreasonable?  ...instead of standing in awe at the mystery and marvelousness of a living, breathing, all-knowing God?

What a lesson I have learned to just "take it in" and stand amazed....

Sometimes there isn't an explanation for the unexplainable....






Friday, February 3, 2012

Five Minute Friday: Real

Unmasked Uninhibited Unveiled friendship is always the best kind.  Sharing the company of those beautiful souls who love you unconditionally and without fail  can be REAL humbling.  REAL, true friends are never a dime a dozen.  They are always a sacred treasure.  How thankful I am for these stripped down to the bone REAL friendships that have been gifted to me from a REAL God who understands every square inch of this REAL life of mine.  And for that I am REALLY grateful!!