December 1, 2008
Joy to the World
Katherine R. Cottle, She Speaks Graduate
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)
Devotion:
Uh-oh, my son had begun the dreaded potty dance. He had gotten so engrossed in the beautiful, giant, Christmas ornaments suspended from the shopping mall ceiling that he totally ignored his almost 4 year-old bladder. It was warning him to get to the potty. We were only seconds away from an accident, without a change of clothes.
Doctors had recently given my little son a great big label: Pervasive Developmentally Delayed. Simple translation: he learns differently than most and things that “typically developing” children are able to do easily, he finds challenging. For example, being able to recognize that his body needs to go to the potty and communicating his need to me. I had 20 other things to accomplish in the mall and I was not prepared for this.
Thanks to a mother’s ability to quickly maneuver through crowds and leap tall mounds of Christmas presents in a single bound, we made it to the restroom just in time.
Frustration began to overwhelm my heart. I wasn’t just overwhelmed by the pressure of the things I had on my to-do list, but also by my son’s struggle with being able to recognize and verbally acknowledge his needs. Lord, will he ever be able to tell me what is going on in his head? How are we going to reach him?
As we were washing our hands, he suddenly began to sing with all his heart, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth receive her King.” Where was this coming from? I wondered. Quieting my frustrated mind, I slowed down to listen. The song was playing over the intercom. I had totally tuned it out.
My beautiful little boy with his great big label had heard what I had not. Women coming out of their stalls smiled and sang with him. I think the angels would have included us in their choir that day.
In that moment I felt the Lord assure me that He had created my son and knew his needs and exactly how to reach him. After all, this is what Christmas is all about. Our loving Father, knowing our need of the gift of salvation, reached the world through Jesus Christ. Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let us receive our King!
Dear Lord, Thank you for knowing my needs, sending Your Son and creating a way to reach me. This Christmas, please help me quiet my frustrations and busy to-do list and listen to Your song. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Can Martha Have a Mary Christmas? by Brenda Poinsett
31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers
Join us for more Everyday Life encouragement.
Application Steps:
Write down the names of two people to pray for this Christmas season. Pray that they will hear the message of the carols this season, and realize the full grace extended to them through Jesus Christ.
Reflection Points:
In a busy setting have you ever stopped to listen to what is being said
around you?
What is your joy level today?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”(NIV)
Matthew 6:8, “for your Father knows what you need…” (NIV)
1 Timothy 1:15, “…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (NIV)
© 2008 by Katie Cottle. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G,
Matthews, NC 28105
