Joy

White as Snow

/ Jodie / Leave a comment

Isaiah 1:18

New Living Translation (NLT)

“Come now, let’s settle this,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
I will make them as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson,
I will make them as white as wool….

There is nothing more majestic than freshly fallen snow blanketing the ground. It covers every flaw, every imperfection of our landscape and the sight of it reminds me of my youth; when I would play for hours on end, throwing snow balls, making snow angels and sledding down the steepest of hills.

The same expression of joy invades my heart when I remember the day I chose to submit my life to the One who created me. He covered my sins- every flaw, every imperfection with the blood of His son, Jesus Christ. In that moment I was made pure, clean, white as freshly fallen snow.

Fortunately, unlike rare winter storms that occasionally bring snow to our area, Gods forgiveness is available to me at any time, during any season. When I finally surrender trying to fix all the “issues” in the landscape of my life, He sends a fresh blanket of white to envelope my soul… and once again my sins that were like scarlet are made white as snow.

Ephesians 3:14-21

New King James Version (NKJV)

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Mama Jean

/ Jodie / Leave a comment

Psalm 9:1-2

1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
 I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. 2 I will be filled with joy because of you.
 I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

During breakfast the first morning of our vacation, Doug and I smiled in amazement as we watched a spunky, tiny little woman sing and dance through the restaurant. She greeted guests as if they were long lost friends- and some she gave great big bear hugs to after pouring them their first cup of hot coffee. A few days into our trip we realized that she was the “Mama” of the staff and her job was to make all the guests of the resort and spa feel like they were right at home.

While flipping through one of the many magazines in our room, I stumbled upon an article about Jean Kelly that put all the missing pieces of this exuberant woman together….except one.

Jean and her husband have worked on Peter Island for more than 25 years. Every morning they catch the 5:30 am ferry boat from Tortolla to begin their duties for the day. Jean’s husband serves in landscaping and Jean has become the spokeswoman/figurehead/mascot of Tradewind’s Restaurant and their famous french toast. Management has even made t-shirts in her honor!

After days of watching Mama Jean serve dish after dish of the fabulous looking entrée, & having read raving reviews about the breakfast item online before our trip- Doug decided he’d skip the buffet and order the coconut encrusted french toast. Just like every other morning, Mama Jean came dancing out of the kitchen with the dish- but this time she sat the golden brown fried bread in front of my husband.  She then spent the next few minutes getting to know this happy couple from a distant land….

A few days later, we were chatting with her again when she rather casually mentioned Jesus Christ. We winked at one another and then smiled back at her- realizing that we had discovered the missing piece of the puzzle; the joy of the Lord. Later that day, while eating lunch at Deadman’s Grill, Mama Jean came floating through the restaurant and stopped to give us a quick hug. Doug reminded her of our conversation earlier in the day and said “hey- Mrs. Jean…I just wanted you to know that I really appreciate your boldness in saying the name of Jesus Christ….we’re believers too!” Mama Jean squealed with excitement, did a little jig right there in the middle of everyone and proclaimed “I love you even more now—you are my brutha and sista! (in her Brittish/Jamaiccan/Caribbean accent)” More hugs were exchanged and then we all began sharing about the goodness of God.

Jeans joy was a direct reflection of a heart filled with love for her Creator- and His created. Each day, her soul overflowed with gratefulness towards her Master who chose to wake her up and allow her to sing, dance and serve His children from all over the world on a tiny piece of land in the middle of the British Virgin Islands. Mama Jean wasn’t just serving delicious french toast, she was dishing out plates and plates of life!

Thank you Mrs. Jean for reminding me that no matter how small the task, no matter how insignificant my service may seem, I can use it to tell of the marvelous things God has done in my life!