It's a Wonderful Life

   

      Christmas is by far my absolutely favorite season. In one aspect, it's a time when people take a break from their hectic schedules and relive their childhood, if only for a few hours.  This is nothing like the adrenaline rush from tearing the paper off of a package and finally unveiling the gift that has been taunting you for weeks under the tree. Or maybe the best part is seeing the faces of your family members as they open the gift you agonized over and wrestled for in the insane mob of shoppers at the store. You realize your battle wounds are worth it when you see the sparkle in their eye or the smile that slowly forms across their face. On a less exaggerated-more serious note, Christmas is my favorite time because it is a celebration of a birth unlike any others that provides hope for all. It is in this season that we take time to remember the divine entrance of our savior into the world and marvel at the love and sovereignty of our Lord. We serve a God who brought his own son (perfect and sinless) into a dark, broken, and fallen world to die the most horrific and painful death so that we might be saved. Although society has made this a consumer-driven holiday filled with jolly Santas, reindeer, crowded shopping malls, and gifts, may we never forget the true reason we celebrate Christmas.
     
      Although this year has been different than most, here's a little glimpse of the wonderful Grubbs family Christmas. (You undoubtedly have much better things to do than read about my Christmas season so far, but humor me) Since I have been gone all semester, coming home for the Holiday's has been great and now that my sister is back it is kind of like old times. Today, my mother and I continued watching Hallmark movies while my sister did last minute shopping. As the evening rolled around, my father and I watched Crazy Christmas Lights on TLC and decided that like Bobby Ray with the christmas light sweater, we too shall accept the challenge to decorate our house next year so that the lights can be seen from outer space. Even if it meant adding 13 extra electrical circuits to our house. (Although my mom was not too keen on the idea). We continued the tradition of pizza bread for dinner while we watched It's A Wonderful Life and then opened the one gift set aside for Christmas eve. This year, my father talked non-stop about wanting a Christmas sweater. So, like any good daughter, I went to a second-hand store and found him the most unique one available. This particular gem was light gray with an attempt at black argyle on the front. As if the gift wasn't enough, I failed to read the words on the wrapping paper I used until after I put the bow on.  Instead of the traditional Merry Christmas etched across the package, it read "love is great happiness, love is eternal like the circle of a ring" I decided the wedding wrapping paper gave it additional pazazz. Thankfully tonight, my father thought it was hilarious and when he saw the sweater, he decided he was definitely wearing it tomorrow (even though it had to have formerly belonged to a chain smoker). He was a great sport about it and I reassured him the smoky smell made it more rustic. After everyone else went to bed, my father and I stayed up watching The Christmas Story, quoting the entire movie. I have to say, this has definitely been one of my favorite Christmas Eve's. As I reflect upon this past year, I am reminded how blessed I truly am and my heart is filled to the brim with joy and love for the Lord. How incredible, that despite my sarcasm, stubbornness, and pride, He loves me. That my friends, is the greatest gift of all.

Hipster Coffee

        Over the past few weeks, I have started a “Friday tradition” of sorts with a girl on my hall.  It began with a simple request to join her as she completed an assignment for a class.  This assignment involved critiquing a coffee shop (needless to say I needed no further persuasion).  We decided to visit a quaint coffee shop in the heart of downtown on a sunny afternoon in her car appropriately named Malibu Barbie. Upon opening the door of the shop, I first noticed the heavenly aroma of coffee beans and spiced teas that filled the air.  As I took in my surroundings, I realized that this was not a typical coffee shop.  I swear I thought we had walked into a magazine shoot for the cover of Urban Outfitters.  There were items from the junkyard placed sporadically along the walls and ceiling, antique tables and chairs were strewn about the floor, and the people were the definition of hipster (if such a thing exists).  Obviously, my Ann Taylor style stuck out like a sore thumb and as all 15 people turned in our direction, I immediately felt the sense that I didn’t exactly belong in this environment.  However, I am never one to turn down a challenge (or a good cup of coffee) and admittedly, I’m a little fascinated with hipsters.  So, as my friend Gina and I ordered, received our drinks in vintage china (what else) and settled ourselves in a corner table that provided a clear view of the room, the people watching began. 

          

          The best part of this trip though was the intentional conversations that ensued as we sipped our cups and took in the environment around us.  Gina, a divine blessing in my life, is the type of person that can make you laugh even on the hardest days yet also has depth in her relationships.  We both detest superficial conversations, and in no time, we dive into questions and issues we are struggling with and recounting the ways the Lord has been faithful in our lives already.  There is an openness and freeness in our conversation, and as we continue to talk, I began to wonder if the people around us (school, Birmingham, or the coffee shop) experience this same kind of friendship. I also began to wonder who around us was God calling us to be a light to amidst the events of our everyday life.

           

          As Gina and I continued our new tradition the next week, even though we got lost, we eventually stumbled upon this cute place called Paramount that we could not resist entering.  As we parked the car and walked across the street, we noticed the store looked completely empty and was closing in an hour.  However, we were not to be deterred and decided to go inside anyway.  After a few moments, a man emerged from the back and asked us what we would like.  After taking in the incredible menu, we settled on cupcakes and coffee and found a table in the empty room. Normally, I would have sat contently with my friend and not think twice about the worker, but this time, I was reminded of the verse I read in Colossians 4:5 that says “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity”.  The owner was an outsider, and I figured this was the perfect opportunity so Gina and I began talking to him about the city, his life, and what we are planning on doing in our life.  It was neat to hear his story and what his ambitions are, and although we didn’t pull out pocket salvation track or recite the ABC’s of Christianity, I began to see that perhaps this is what we are called to do in everyday life: To simply look up and notice the people surrounding us, and take time getting to know them.  Maybe God will provide another opportunity for us to talk to this person or maybe he saw God’s love in our conversations that night.                                                                                                                                                                          

        I realized that we are called as the church to reach the people around us, but how can we do that if we fail to look outside of our bubble and meet the gazes of the men and women staring back at us.  We cannot reach the lost by merely staring into our coffee cups and thinking about the gospel, rather, we must live out the gospel and intentionally live our lives so that the Word has an impact on people. I am looking forward to spending time in other shops on the many Fridays to come making the most of the time and truly making an effort to get to know the people there. I believe the Lord can do something wonderful through these relationships, just as He can with any relationship.  So I leave you with a challenge, to not be afraid to step outside of your bubble and share life with the people God has placed in your path for the day.  Make the most of your time, and do not disregard the urgency of the gospel.