And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)
Last night Mary and I joined our son and his family for an advent hymn sing. We were all attending a new church for this experience, and although we had friends in the congregation, the children, in particular, felt the brunt of the new surroundings. Specifically Tess, our two-year-old granddaughter. For much of the evening Tess was in my arms.
From time to time throughout the evening Tess would reach back and rub her hand across my chin. It was seven o’clock and my morning shave had long since lost its effectiveness. But Tess wasn’t looking for smooth; rough made her sure it was me. Rough assured her that she was in Pops’ arms. Rough made an unfamiliar environment familiar enough.
I savored the moments. Even as the words of “Joy to the World” flowed off my lips, the periodic touch of Tess’s hand did something to my soul.
It is the stubbled face of God that is my companion, my assurance, and my protector throughout life. I know God most intimately; I rely on Him most selflessly; I derive my greatest comfort from Him… in the rough not the smooth.
In the locations of the journey where I’m confused or uncertain or in pain or doubtful or lonely, my memory takes me to other times or other friends who have found the “true north” face of God… in the rough… in the peril… in the valley
In the smooth I find self-confidence, in the rough I find true hope.
At just the right times, in all the moments of need, Tess reached back. Her tiny hand found perspective and rest in the stubble of her Pops.
His presence is most unmasked in the rough.
It was straw, not satin that greeted Jesus. It is straw, not satin that draws me to God.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
Yes, I think God has whiskers.
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Loved this! “In the smooth I find self-confidence” or self-pride or self-worship, sadly. It’s so easy to think we have things in our control when they are going our way. Sometimes the “rough” is when God is reminding us on Whom we really need to rely.