Moments with MarLo

We talk often about the faith of Abraham in the story of how he was willing to sacrifice his precious son, Isaac. I cannot imagine God asking me to sacrifice my child or the faith required to follow through on such a request.  I pray I never have to find out. But there's a part of the story I've never heard discussed but have often pondered.  What does the story look like from Isaac's perspective.  Isaac walked silently up the mountain.  He understood a sacrifice was to be made and when looking around he asks his father where was the sheep?  Abraham simply replies that God will provide and they keep walking.  But then Isaac finds himself bound and laid upon the altar in place of the lamb.   The story doesn’t share what Isaac thought of the situation.   Was he scared or angered at his father.    Did he cry out or beg for mercy?  Or was he, as is implied in the story, simply silent and trusting?  Did he see Abraham lift the knife to take his life? And after the angel s

I remember as a child getting excited about Christmas. Dreaming about the possibility of gifts I might receive. Today, I decided to take advantage of some free time and wrap up Lydia's gifts.  I was not prepared for her response upon the site of them.  I knew she would squeal with delight. I expected the requests to open "just one."  What surprised me, however, was how her eyes filled with tears as she placed each of her gifts beneath the tree.  Almost breathlessly she responded, "oh, I don't know why I'm crying."  It caused me to think about the gift of Christ.  The gifts He continues to pour into my life.  Have I, with child-like abandon, responded with pure delight at the simple fact that I have received a gift from the heart of Christ?   May we all take note of this simple response from this precious child.  It wasn't the number of gifts or the potential of what each package contained, rather the understanding that she is loved.  Dearly l