Critical Error Or God’s Doing? … Hello weekend readers. I suspect we are all musing about all the things that make our Christmas the best of the best. The question is, “what is the best of the best?” and I think, for myself, it is enjoying the 4 gifts that Jesus brought us on that first Christmas: hope, peace, joy and love. I’ve decided to muse on these gifts because in each one there is a jewel nugget of wisdom Jesus wants us to have.

So, I started putting things together for this devotion and when I opened my laptop I found a greeting—more like a foreboding message no one wants: “there is a critical error on this website.” Instead of the ‘blue screen of death’ this was my website ‘screen of death’ and here I am, a writer! I have over 3,000 thousand people around the globe who read my devotions and now I have NO HOPE to get my messages out. What do I do with a blank screen? Then I remember my small 12-inch laptop which holds thousands of my photographs from family to mountain-tops. I didn’t want to open Google Chrome because it might have been the culprit, but I sure wanted the hope that those pictures were safe and they were.

I was about to shut the laptop until I saw the Christmas photos—by each year. I started looking and there I was, 5+ hours later laughing and literally “wallowing” in the joy of family and friends. I about snorted through my nose seeing my dad’s brother, Uncle Bill with red candle sticks and reindeers on his ears. It was silly just like he could be, but it also was so-so precious. And there were more, a lot of family and friends who are now with Jesus. As I continued looking I felt my tears were of joy instead of my angst; and my attitude—that was hope that I thought hope could never do. OK, God, you were in this weren’t you? When will you give me my laptop back? Honestly, I didn’t get an answer and I know why.

In Psalm 139:4-6 [NLT], one of my favorites from King David, I found not only new hope but my assurance—for my faith-walk in this world and yes, for my laptop, really. Read the verses and you’ll know why: “You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!”  

As I looked through hundreds of photos I found myself thinking about a new perspective. One that says, “don’t get angry and don’t blame it on someone else.” Instead I sat for a moment and mused on what happened, knowing that it was something God had given me for good reasons and for a good purpose. Instead of wanting to throw my laptop at the wall, I found myself celebrating. In fact, it was like Christmas was right in my room with all my family and friends—living or not.

But the celebration continued in my heart, soul and mind as well. I felt pushed to pray and take some time for a conversation with my Savior. I honestly spoke out-loud and I felt His presence and I heard His words for me. It continued for longer than I realized, until Moose, my LabraDane jumped up on the side of my chair urging me to take him outside, oops!

In closing, I will tell you the laptop was restored fully (long story) and one revelation of this episode stopped me in my tracks. Why? I realized that in every photo Jesus was there—He was present and I think He wanted me to stop and sit in His presence, too. Are your hopes up or shaky? Christmas can be a tough time, but it shouldn’t be, we know that. Maybe we all need a ‘website screen of death’ so we can focus on hope, love, joy and yes-some peace. I think Christmas would truly be a new experience, don’t you? Hopefully yours, AMEN.