The Stillness of the first Snow
ushers in the Pause,
The Pause of Advent,
When waiting hovers all around
And Mystery calls out to me.
The Ancient Words
flutter down through time,
words we memorize as children
become so familiar
that we miss the meaning
lose the mystery.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:8-11 NIV
I wonder how dark the night was as they watched their sheep. The darkness seems very deep around my soul, around the souls of many that I love right now.
Who is keeping watch?
Who is guarding the sheep this night?
No amount of training or experience could have prepared them for the explosion of mystery that rang around them and brought them to their knees on THAT NIGHT.
Who was watching the sheep then?
And where was BRAVE when the sky fell down around them?
My heart is heavy
for those who watch the sky falling
and find their faces on the ground.
My heart is heavy
From the overshadowing
glory falling all around
Answers to my desperate cries for mercy.
My heart now beats akin with shepherds
The angel’s first words make so much more sense to me now. Unless the sky has fallen around you, you cannot feel the weight of those words:
“Do not be afraid”
And unless you have felt the weight being lifted off your shoulders as the Mystery of God Coming to Earth envelops you, you cannot see the beauty:
Grace in a Shepherd, Mercy for the sheep.
(Poetry was edited from my earlier posts.)
I have missed sharing with you all here, and I am so grateful whenever God opens a brief gathering of words.
While my husband and I have been in the throes of multiple tests and appointments, this year’s #Oneword of “mystery” has kept me company:
- My husband’s diseased heart that yet has passed the original time line given almost 5 years ago.
- A failed medication that sent me to the ER where another issue was uncovered.
- Flares that threatened to swallow me whole, but came accompanied with Holy Spirit blazing.
- An MRI filled with so much peace that I began to fall asleep.
The list could go on with questions that remain unanswered while Jesus sends inexplicable comfort and songs in the dark.
How else can I explain the way He sends my morning Scriptures after lying-awake nights and pain-racing thoughts:
O my God, my soul despairs within me.
Psalm 42:6-8
Therefore I remember You
from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon—
even from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep
in the roar of Your waterfalls;
all Your breakers and waves
have rolled over me.
The LORD decrees His loving devotion by day,
and at night His song is with me
as a prayer to the God of my life.
I pray that our Savior is near to you this blessed month of Advent. May you hear the voice of our Great Shepherd calling you to come inside His fold and find safe pasture. May you be so blessed to dwell within the mystery of His neverending care. And may His mercy enfold you when the questions lie open before you. He is our only true life.
Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.“
And I am so happy to once again share this Christmas Family Devotional that I was so blessed to create with my dear friend Ifeoma Samuel. Feel free to download the PDF and enjoy simple family activities and devotionals during this Advent season:
I am linking with:
BettieGsRAseasons 
Your words spread deep into my soul, sweet Bettie. I know how the pain wracks your body, and how the night hours seem so long and weary. Your prayers are being heard by our dear Father in Heaven! I appreciate the prayers and beautiful card you sent us and they have ministered to our hearts. The prayers you pray are being heard! Your praises are beautiful – and the video you shared is beautiful. So thankful for our hope in Jesus! Blessings to you dear friend! Marilyn @mountaintopspice.com
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Dear Marilyn thank you for your beautiful encouraging words. You’ve brought tears to my eyes tonight, knowing how the Lord has allowed us to share in His comfort together. He truly is so faithful to hear our every prayer. May you and your husband be blessed with His rich strength tonight. Love and hugs! ❤️
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Your words remind me so much of the book written by Corrie ten Boom’s carergiver at the end of her life. She shared how Corrie had prayed to see God’s glory, and how thereafter she was ushered into the depths of suffering, joining the ones she had been loving and praying for not just in Spirit but also in Body. Her carergiver spoke of how she was even more spiritually attuned to those she was praying for, knowing their needs before they even expressed them to her. I see that beauty glowing in you too, Bettie.
May at night God’s song continue to be with you as a prayer to the God of our life. And as fears assail you through the night, may a sweet offering overflow right there, as you lean by His grace into the peace of our God and continue to speak that peace over so many, willingly joining Christ in His suffering to bring abundant life to His Body.
I love the verse you share about the full or abundant life Christ came to give us. Amen! It’s a sweet confirmation of His leading in something too.
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Oh Anna thank you for your precious prayer. It was and is such a gift to me this morning. And I am so thankful that together we read that book about Corrie’s last 5 years. God’s ways are just so different than ours, aren’t they? But they are so perfectly planned for His mercy to overflow in the suffering . May He bless you in His leading, bringing to fullness every plan of His sowing. Love and hugs dear friend
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You truly inspire me to remember God’s peace and promises in times of joy and in times of trouble. God bless you.
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I am so thankful that the Lord brought you inspiration here, dear Melissa. Your stories always stir me to joy in Him also. What a gift we’ve been given to share. Love and hugs dear friend. ❤️
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What a most beautiful writing, Bettie, coming from a most beautiful heart. God has surely gifted you the craft of rich writing and encouraging others!! Sending you love and a virtual HUG ~
*Melody *💕🌸
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Thank you for your kind and encouraging words dear friend. And thank you so much for the gift of “Watching for Morning.” It came at just the right time!. God’s blessing for sure. Hugs and love to you. ❤️
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I’m blessed by your words, Bettie, and God’s opening for you to share your words. I can imagine, now, the “weight of those words” spoken by an angel. “Do not be afraid.” You and your husband have gone through so much…the mystery remains along with God’s never ending comfort and mercy. During this advent season, may God’s blessings shine on you like the brightest star!
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Oh Lynn, this is such a comfort to me: “the mystery remains along with God’s never ending comfort and mercy.” Thank you for your sweet words today. I am really so thankful for the sharing that God weaves and the way that He multiplies His Word among us. And now I really am wondering if the mystery will remain as my repeat word for 2026? Love and hugs dear friend.
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Oh Bettie, thank you so much for these encouraging words and song. It amazes me how I finally got to reading this, and God knew the exact time I needed it most. To lift the heaviness of my heart today and to rest in His peace and All-Sufficient grace. And though my heart breaks when loved ones hurt and I can’t “fix” things for them, I need to remember He is in control, all things are in His hands, and nothing is impossible with Him. Sometimes my heart gets so weary and I long for Him to take me to those mansions He is preparing for us, and I believe you understand that feeling. But as long as we’re here, He is not done with us. And He is with us whispering, “Let not your hearts be troubled…” My heart hurts for you, dear friend, of all you go through, also your husband. I am so grateful Jesus gives you songs in the darkness.
Along with your moving testimony, this part of the song touches me deeply:
“You were the morning light sent from Heaven
From a kind father to dwell with us
And pull us from shadow’s hands
And free us from all our bondage”
Love, hugs, and blessings of a peace-filled Advent and Christmas!
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Dear Trudy, your words and heart have brought such blessing to me tonight. I’m so glad that Jesus knew just the right time for us to share together here. Do you know that I’ve had this post sitting unfinished in my draft folder for this whole year?. And it was only yesterday that He prompted me to finish it. Oh His timing is amazing. 😭
And this speaks to me so much too: “And though my heart breaks when loved ones hurt and I can’t “fix” things for them, I need to remember He is in control, all things are in His hands, and nothing is impossible with Him.” He keeps reminding me of that also. Oh how I long to be with Him in those mansions, and this world all settled under His justice! But yes, He isn’t finished yet, and He still has purpose for us here.
Isn’t that song such a gift? I am so glad that He blessed you with it also. Love, hugs, and prayers for you this Christmas time dear friend.❤️
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💕🙏
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Bettie, this is so beautiful! You are always an inspiration to me. Your writing gets to the heart and brings such comfort from God through the scripture you share and through your own words. Thank you for giving of yourself. Blessings to you and much love!
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Oh dear Gayl, I am so thankful that the Lord blessed you here. You have been such an inspiration to me, encouraging me to keep hoping in the Lord! Isn’t He so good to weave our paths together? May you have a blessed Advent season my dear friend. ❤️Hugs & love!
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Those words; Be not afraid for God is with You, have also been highlighted in my life & my family’s life this year Bettie with the enemy’s arrows trying hard to pierce through our peace & trust in Him. But it has only drawn us closer to our Lord & Saviour.
May you, your husband & family know His supernatural peace that passes all understanding this season sweet friend & that 2026 is the year of complete healing in everyway through our Lord & Saviour Jesus.
Blessings, Jennifer
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Oh Jennifer I’m so sorry for those fiery darts coming at you and your family. But I am so grateful that the Lord has been drawing you closer to Himself through it all. I have found that t. Be so true also. Your prayers are so precious to me dear friend. It’s a wonder to me the way the Lord weaves our lives together within His Body, around the world. You are in my prayers also dear friend. May the Lord bless you this year with His abundant grace and overflowing peace. Love & hugs ♥️
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Thank you Bettie 💕
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Beautiful ❤ Thank you Bettie ❤
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Thank you so much Peggi. And thank you for all your prayers! ♥️♥️♥️
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I pray the same for you, Bettie—that our Savior is near to you this blessed month of Advent. May you hear the Good Shepherd calling you in the midst of pain and suffering. May He comfort you in His love and presence. Thank you for sharing once again!
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Dear Amy, thank you for your precious prayers and blessings! I truly have felt him so close even this week during multiple tests. I pray blessings over you and your family this week now too! ❤️
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Beautiful offering, dear Bettie.
Your writing is proof that pain steeps poignant prose and poetry.
Blessings & prayers,
Wendy
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Thank you dear Wendy for your kind and encouraging words. I appreciate your prayers and blessings so much! May you be blessed this New Year also.
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Dear, precious friend, I always hold onto your posts until I have time to really absorb as I read, and God knew how much I needed this today. Thank you for sharing your beautiful poetry, your lessons learned through your severe fiery trials, and your faithful testimonies with us here. You and Barry are such shining examples of living lives sold out to God. I am so thankful God has spared Barry past the point of the doctors’ predictions. Only God holds the key to our lives and the time of our departure from this life. He reigns supreme. I pray He gives you and Barry many more years together. I love and appreciate you, dear sister.
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Oh Dear Cheryl, your words touch my heart so deeply too! Only God could have known the timing of all these things in this season, for both of us. He truly is so faithful to care for us in our deepest trials. I’m so grateful for all the prayers and Bible studies that God has allowed us to share. May He bless you and your family this New Year! Thank you for all your kindness to us! ❤️
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Bettie,
Thanks so much for stopping by!! Merry Christmas to you and yours!! The last 2 years have been really horrific for me…Lost too many people…But I place it all in God’s hands and hope that 2026 will be a much better year…
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie_Dabble Blog
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Prayers for you Debbie! May the Lord be so very near to you and your family this coming year, and bring you a Blessed Christmas!
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Praise God for His blessings on your family, Bettie! There are two moments in the bible where I would love to have experienced–when the angels appeared to the shepherd and when Anna beheld the promised Savior. I imagined I would have been frightened, too–but oh, how God and His angels know our trembling hearts and how they seek to comfort us. Praying that comfort for you and yours in 2026 my sweet friend!
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Oh amen, Maryleigh, He does offer such comfort in the midst of the holy, awesome, scary places! I would love to have been an observer in those places as well. Won’t we enjoy such amazing storytelling when we all get to heaven? Blessings and love to you this New Year as well dear sister!
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