Dr. Shelly Arneson Author and Consultant
  • Home
  • Blogs and News
  • Workshops
  • Consultation
  • Shop
  • Links
  • Contact Information
  • Dissertation
Picture

Happy Communicating
​

Go home by another way

1/5/2020

0 Comments

 
In the Bible (Matthew, chapter 2), the magi, who have been sent by Herod to check out the birth of this new baby in Bethlehem, were warned in a dream to go home by another way instead of reporting back to Herod.  I have always loved Epiphany for so many reasons, not the least of which is this reference.  It speaks to me on so many levels, namely that we have choices; that what we thought was a great idea turns out to be maybe not the best idea; and lastly (but not at all least) that James Taylor wrote a song about this very act.  
1.  We have choices: I believe wholeheartedly that God directs me if I ask Him, but He also gave us free will, and I have made some pretty crazy choices in my life all in the name of free will.  I am so grateful God doesn't shake His head and say "tsk-tsk" when He sees me exerting my free will in a manner which will very likely not turn out in a stellar manner.  When I was a school counselor in Florida (at the best elementary school in the panhandle, by the way), I made up a chant:
We always have a choice, no matter what I do.
I make the choice and I can't blame you.
I had the students memorize it and say it in their best "like a big fat whale in the ocean" (low, low voice), "like a tiny mouse" (in their highest pitched voice), "like a cheerleader" (with a "Yea!" at the end of each phrase), in slow-motion, in speedy motion, and in several other funny ways that helped them imprint those words into their memories.  And yet....their own guidance counselor still made ridiculous and poor decisions every now and then, despite being the "adult in the room".  The fact of the matter is we all make poor choices sometimes, but the best part is we can learn from them.
2. What we thought was a great idea may not be the best idea:  How many times did we start on a journey (proverbial or literal) only to realize it might not be the best idea?  I can't imagine what it must have been like to be sent by Herod to check out this new baby in a Bethlehem manger and then to report back to him. As soon as I would have seen all the miracles of the birth of baby Jesus, I, too, would be thinking, "What the what?? I can't go tell Herod the baby Jesus is here, as he was only going to start killing all baby boys under two-years-old!"  What would I be willing to risk to go forth and tell the good news versus returning to Herod with the news that, "Yes, indeed, that Jesus baby is in Bethlehem.  Go kill him since you're so paranoid"?  Sometimes the things I think are good ideas that don't pan out are likely God's way of saying, "Uh, nope. Shelly, that wasn't what was best for you." I have gotten that tap on my shoulder a few times in my life and I am happy to say I have begun listening to those taps a bit more in the last 20 some-odd years in my life.  What about YOU?
3.   James Taylor wrote a song about this very act : Sorry if it sounds trite, but this song has always touched me.  Have you heard it?  It's called (no surprise) "Home by Another Way".  My favorite part is the line that says "Maybe me and you can be wise guys too and go home another way."  He also talks about how any king who would slaughter the innocent will not cut a deal for you.  I have always loved this song but no better time than to listen to it again than during Epiphany.  I am grateful for songs like this that remind me to steer clear of deals that might be too good to be true.  We need to use our faith and spiritual advisors to help us discern what might be a good idea or not.  

Just for today, maybe we can think about the magi and their task to be sent by Herod.  Would we be willing to listen to angels tapping us in our sleep to warn us to maybe not return to Herod with the news of Jesus's birth?  I sure hope so!

Happy Communicating!

​Shelly
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Shelly Arneson

    Picture

    Archives

    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from Tjeerd, Johnragai-Moment Catcher, UnknownNet Photography, Mr. Bombdiggity, wuestenigel, quinn.anya, Chocolate Geek, Jorbasa, Leonard J Matthews, JefferyTurner, Golf Resort Achental, fabola, www.ilmicrofono.it, m01229, Heinrich Plum, Titanic Belfast, Strocchi, Cultural viewpoints from around the world, katrienberckmoes, fabola, susivinh, fourcroft, Sweet Dreamz Design, usarjnco, Eldriva, symphony of love, cordalth, boellstiftung, David Holt London, maryjohum, Tony Webster, Rich.S., ZK-OJQ, davidmulder61, garryknight, ChrisPerriman, mrkrndvs, goatling, YellowstoneNPS, Frederick Homes for Sale, Mary_on_Flickr, yourbestdigs, Dean Hochman, guillenperez, Janitors, rachaelvoorhees
  • Home
  • Blogs and News
  • Workshops
  • Consultation
  • Shop
  • Links
  • Contact Information
  • Dissertation