Kathy
Schultz

Contributing Writer

Kathy Schultz is a former CBN staff contributor. 

More from Kathy Schultz

More from Kathy Schultz

The Christmas Angel

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love everything about it--the smells, the sights, and the sounds. Feelings run deep inside me when I begin to think about Christmas. I always experienced a magical feeling. After all, it is Christ's birthday! Could it be I've read too many Christmas books and seen too many Christmas movies? I admit that "It's a Wonderful Life" is a favorite and I believe life is wonderful most of the time.

My husband had indulged my excitement and had contributed greatly to my loving Christmas. This past year my bubble was burst and I experienced a sadness that was almost too difficult to bear. I no longer thought life was wonderful. My husband had gone home to be with the Lord and I was alone at Christmas. Memories haunted me, and everywhere I looked I was reminded of our life together. Our traditions, which were special to me, were now all topsy-turvy. How could I ever get through my favorite time of the year without him? Only God knew. I determined, with God's help, I could do this.

"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength" ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , NLT).

I was not going to let my grief rob my family of Christmas. It was still Christ's birthday! After all, because Christ was born and died on the cross for my husband and me, I had the assurance my wonderful husband was spending eternity with Him.

The easy part was determining what I was going to do to celebrate Christmas. Putting my plan into practice was much more difficult. Christmas did not have to be celebrated in the same manner. Some traditions needed to change, but some I knew had to stay or the meaning of Christmas would be lost.

I cherished the Christmas Eve candlelight service. Our family had always gone to the 11:00 p.m. service, lit the candles, and sung "Silent Night" together. My husband and I had done this from the time we had started dating 37 years ago. I wanted to go to church; it was truly my favorite time, I loved hearing how Jesus was born (Luke 2). The angels, the shepherds, Mary, Joseph, and the wise men seeking Him were all so important. I wanted to seek Jesus as well. But nothing could have prepared me for that evening.

Neither of my children could go to the service with me, so off I went. As I arrived at the church my heart just sank. Everyone was there with someone--moms, dads, children, aunts, and uncles. Family is so important at a time like that. I mustered up the courage God must have given and managed to walk to the front door. Thankfully, at that moment, I saw a family I knew, and I managed to ask if I could sit with them. "Sure," they replied. It was all I could do to sit in the pew without crying buckets. Tears began filling my eyes, and down my face they rolled. It was almost getting uncontrollable. "God, please help me," I prayed. "I want to be here, I need to hear why we have Christmas once again."

"The Lord is near to all who call on Him" ( a NIV).

I had no sooner whispered my prayer when the most marvelous thing happened. The little girl sitting right next to me—my Christmas angel—put her hand in mine and squeezed. It was as if God had given me the love I so desperately needed. In that one moment, I realized the angels that sang on that night many years ago at the Savior's birth still come and minister to us today. God let me know, in that tiny squeeze, He was there for me and that He loved me!

"Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased." ( NLT)

Copyright © Kathy Schultz, used with permission.

Bump, Bruise, & Blessing

CBN.com "Time for school", I called to my granddaughter. It was time for her to catch the bus. We were both running behind schedule, and it was my job to hurry her along. She responded by running quickly to the car. She opened the car door with such force that it swung and hit her in the forehead. I stood right beside her, unable to help. All I could do was watch. She looked up at me with tears forming in her eyes saying, "Grandma" with a tone in her voice that meant, why did you let this happen? She was crying and trying to blame someone or something for what had just happened. Truthfully, it had been her fault. My intention was just to make her aware of the time, to hurry her along, to get her to stop dilly-dallying. Now she had a nasty BUMP and BRUISE on her forehead, and I felt awful.

God showed me there was a lesson to be learned here. God knows how often I rush ahead only to find myself in trouble. The trouble is my own doing. No one else is responsible. Often, I look around to find someone or something else to blame for my own foolishness. God must look down wanting to help, but it is too late. He often does not correct what has already happened. The laws of physics are in place and human error has occurred. When I rush ahead without praying for God's help, I find myself in hot water. This happens more than I want to admit.

But the LORD still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them ( New Living Translation, The Book).

Thankfully, God does intervene in our lives and sends his angels to protect us.

 

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways ( NIV).

I can't always protect my grandchild, but I can and do pray for God's protection. Her family's job is to keep her safe as possible. This means taking all the necessary precautions, giving godly advice, teaching her right from wrong, and ultimately leading her to Christ. God is the only one that can protect her and us in any situation.

 

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him" ( NIV).

 

"He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection" ( New Living Translation, The Book).

The story of that morning did not end there. God did allow something good to come out of the mishap. Time had not permitted me to dress the wound. All I could manage was a little comfort and a quick prayer. I put her on the school bus with the bump and told the bus driver about the accident. That evening when I asked about her day, Alex replied with enthusiasm. The nurse at her school had taken care of her. She had iced the wound and comforted our little first grader. What a BLESSING! In times of need, God often uses others to help us as He had with Alex. He does that for me over and over again.

 

Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith ( NKJV).

 

Each one of us should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms (I Peter 4:10).

The school nurse had used her gift to minister to my grandchild. Can we use our gifts in service to others honoring God as well?

 

 

Bus Stop Buzz

While waiting at the bus stop with my young granddaughter the other day, I learned a valuable lesson about following God's will.

I have heard ministers and other Christians speak of God's will and how we need to follow God. They share how He has a purpose and plan for our lives. However, I am not sure I am following the correct plan. I can think of other Christians who are accomplishing great things for His kingdom. Even though I am praying for God's will to be done in my life, I find it hard to see how God is using me.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) NIV)

Somehow, for God's will to be accomplished, I envision great and important things happening. This is not my life, or so I thought. I work, pay bills, and occasionally write an article on what God is doing in my life. But my desire is to serve, follow, and give Him the glory and honor for it all.

The other morning during my normal routine, I found a truth that I often miss. God was guiding my day and I was in the center of His will. It was not an astonishingly important event, at least in the way I envisioned serving God.

Instead, it was an ordinary moment that occurred while waiting with my granddaughter for the school bus. Her mom leaves the house earlier than I. It is my responsibility to make sure she gets on the bus. Alexandra and I wait with four neighborhood children, three of whom are siblings.

This day the oldest child was excited. His dad was having a birthday. He, his sister, and his brother had bought dad a gift. He just beamed and smiled as he described the gift, the cake, and all the anticipated activities for the evening. No one else at the bus stop was interested. His siblings already knew what was to happen. The other children were busy, and school would not usually be the place to share such information. This child needed someone to listen and to ask him questions so he could describe the gift and share his joy.

God needed someone there to listen to this little boy, and I was the one. I felt honored to be there. I was truly right in the middle of God's will. I was exactly where I was supposed to be that morning.

"Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." ( NIV)

Listening is often hard for me. God gave us two ears and only one mouth so we will listen more and speak less. I usually do it in reverse, talking much more than listening.

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." ( NIV)

After the bus arrived and I went to work, I began thinking of all the people that had listened to me. People when I was small, people now, my Bible study group, my personal friends, and my co-workers all have listened to me. They have let me share my joys and my sorrows. I am so thankful that God always listens to me and He even knows my thoughts.

"You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, ..." ( NIV).

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." ( NIV)

I've heard people say, "Stop and smell the roses" or "Stop and listen!" May God help us to listen more and talk less. May He keep us in the center of His will and help us to encourage others. I needed to become more of a listener. It is a small thing, but believe me, if you are the one being listened to, it is a BIG thing!

Copyright © Kathy Schultz, used by permission.

Favorite Colors

Pink is my granddaughter's favorite color. She had been telling me this since she first discovered colors. One night, as she chatted away, she added that yellow was another one of her favorite colors. When had this color been added? What caused this change in opinion? I knew she was growing up, and people often change their thoughts on such matters. Possibly there was an underlying cause for this announcement.

Oh yes, she had a good reason for adding yellow. When she went to music class, Mrs. Cooke, the music teacher told her she was a bright yellow crayon, bright as the sun. This is a wonderful description of my grandchild! The teacher was right. Alex, as her family calls her, is a bubbly, cheerful, child. Truly, she is a bright ray of sunshine.

Words have such power. A small statement made by her teacher had truly inspired my granddaughter. It made her even list yellow as her favorite color. I doubt Alex will forget the teacher's kind remarks. This made me think of the words I say. Do I say kind, encouraging, inspiring words to others? God's Word certainly tells us to do so.

"The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up." ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) NKJV)

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." ( KJV)

In this world we live in, the negative is spoken so often. As a child, I had heard that sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. That statement is not true. In fact, words may not break our bones, but they certainly can damage our spirits.

God is Spirit and Truth and even the truth needs to be spoken in love according to God's Word.

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, ..." ( NIV)

When we need correction, NO and NOT are wonderful words of warning and correction. God uses these words in the Ten Commandments. These are words spoken for a reason, given in love, to keep us safe and in God's will. However, negative words, used without love, may be more harmful than physical hurts.

We can get sick or break a bone, but our bodies can eventually be restored to health. We can forget the pain we felt. Ask any mother if she remembers the pain of childbirth. Often she will not, but she will remember the joy of the birth of her child. On the other hand, we can remember the hurtful words spoken to us by someone we love. It sometimes takes more time to heal from unkind words spoken in anger than for our bodies to mend physically.

At church one Sunday, our pastor divided the congregation into two groups. Each side read the Bible, speaking words from scripture to the people on the opposite side of the room. It was one of those wonderful moments that made me once again see how wonderful God's Word is to us.

The Bible is full of encouraging, wonderful words of promise to each of us. Can we, who are made in God's image, begin to speak words in truth and love to each other? My desire is that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to God. I wish to speak words of encouragement and inspiration to others, much like the music teacher spoke to my granddaughter.

Yellow will always be a favorite color for my granddaughter — the color of sunshine — much like God's words to us. They make us come alive!

Copyright © Kathy Schultz, used with permission.

Leave It To Who?

CBN.com - Who could believe, listening to an old TV show, I could hear God speak? Recently, while fixing dinner, the old classic "Leave It to Beaver" was on. Now, I admit it was one of my all-time favorite shows, so I felt compelled to watch.

The previous Sunday night our Bible Study group had been listening to a videotape on Genesis by Anne Graham Lotz, which was excellent. The subject discussed was sin, and particularly the sin committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. We, like Adam and Eve, are taken in and do the thing we never intended. They did not get up that morning saying to each other, "The fruit in the center of the garden is wonderful. Let's go eat it". It was subtle. First, Eve heard the snake talk about it. She listened, looked, touched, and finally she ate. The sin did not stop there. She had to get Adam into the act. We never want to go it alone. Misery loves company.

 

"When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it" ( NIV).

Thankfully our God is loving, compassionate and forgiving, making a way for us to spend eternity with him. BUT He cannot and will not tolerate sin.

 

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" ( NIV).

Now back to "Leave It to Beaver." The story began with Beaver receiving about $20.00 (not much money today, but a lot back in the day of the show) for his birthday. His dad advised him to put the money in the bank to save for something special. He did not demand it, but made a strong suggestion. Beaver decided with a little encouragement from Wally (his brother), to take his Dad's advice. Then a notice from the post office arrived while no one was at home. Beaver and his buddy Gilbert headed right to the post office to pick up the package. It was money sent by his Uncle Billy. Beaver thought he should put the money in the bank, but the problem was he wanted to spend it. If only he had spoken with his Dad first but no, he didn't. Beaver, with Gilbert leading the way, went a different route home going right past the model shop. They both looked in the window and saw what seemed wonderful a beautiful model car. It was the car Beaver thought he wanted. Gilbert encouraged him to just go in and look. After all, the store didn't charge admission for them to look. Well, to make a long story short, Beaver went in, looked, touched, and the next thing you know, he bought the model. It really wasn't the model that made this purchase wrong, but that he did not seek his dad's advice. He listened to a crafty friend, a person who didn't have his best interest at heart.

Who do we listen to? You can guess the rest of the story yourself. Beaver lied to explain the model car. In the end he confessed his sin and was forgiven by his parents.

 

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).

One of the lines I liked best was Beaver saying, "I wish I had gone home down Grant Avenue!" He knew if he hadn't walked where the temptation was, he would not have bought the model car. If we would just stay on the right path and go only the way God directs, sin may not tempt us. We often, like Beaver, go down a different avenue. We then look and buy what we shouldn't.

If only we would speak to our Heavenly Father to see what He would advise. Much like Beaver, we decide what He will saywe think we already know the answer. God might even say go aheadyou won't know unless you ask. We often detour, allowing ourselves to be lead by someone other than God. We even go in and look at what we should not, and tell ourselves it does not hurt to look. Before long we too have bought what we shouldn't. How often do we say, "I'm just going to look" and find ourselves trapped doing what we never intended?

The TV show reaffirmed exactly what Anne Graham Lotz had been saying. God let me know I often act as Beaver and Eve, listening, looking, and touching what I shouldn't, going the wrong way, and ultimately doing what I know is not right. The next time I'm not sure, I can make a choice to succumb to sin or speak with my Heavenly Father and get His advice and help. Thankfully, like Beaver, I can be forgiven. I have a wonderful gracious, loving, and compassionate God!

 

"You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you" ( NIV).

 

Got Joy?

I have recently spent some joyless days, days where the joy of the Lord was not my strength. These were times I cried and could not even begin to smile, much less laugh. Circumstances had changed and I was not a happy camper. You probably have had moments like these as well.

Christians have often quoted the last part of OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) :

"Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (NIV)

The truth of this statement is that it is not our joy, but HIS joy that is our strength. I had been looking for my own joy and it could not be found.

I went to the Bible to see what it had to say about joy. I found many scriptures and stories about joy and laughter. I reread the story of Sarah laughing when she heard God say she was going to have a child. (Genesis 18) This laughter came from unbelief, a nervous laughter. I've had that type of laughter and it always hid how I felt at the moment. Thankfully, God did not leave Sarah there but gave her the promised child. We can imagine the joy she must have had when the promise became true! It was the Lord who fulfilled the promise. In my mind, I can picture her laughing again, but this time with real joy.

King David did not always experience joy. The book of Psalms is full of him crying out to the Lord. But David found that in God's presence was the fullness of joy. Joy was not found in himself but in God.

"... you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (NIV)

We all have times when things go wrong and suddenly God gives us the ability to laugh. I began to remember times in my life when laughter had calmed the chaotic moment. Once, while my family and I were camping at the beach, a storm suddenly came up and the rain began to come down by the buckets. The campsite we had picked was clean but was at a low ground level. Some experienced campers told us we should dig a trench around our tent to keep the rain out. The only available shovels were our children's toys. What a sight we were, four adults digging around a tent in the rain with toy shovels. In the midst of the downpour, we all began to laugh. God had given us the ability to see the situation with humor.

You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! (NLT)

Joy is even one of the fruits of the Spirit. It isn't something we do, but something we can ask to be given. It is God's gift to us. I certainly need this gift - to have God's joy in my life.

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (NIV)

Joy could shine through us if we would let God have his way with us. I have to admit, I was not allowing God's joy to shine through me. I resolved to get in God's presence and have the joy restored, not mine, but His joy. There is a difference. I want to remember that God can restore my joy and give me laughter. I want to live as the scriptures say "in joy and peace."

Yes, in our lives we will experience difficult moments. The scriptures tell us that even Jesus wept, and there is no sin in weeping.

"... weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." (NIV)
"Jesus wept." (NIV)

After Jesus wept, He restored Lazarus to life again. Those who loved Lazarus must have experienced great joy!

"God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh." (NLT)

May you, along with me, ask God to restore your joy. Remember, apart from God's presence, there is no joy!

Copyright © 2006 Kathy Schultz. Used by permission.

Plain Brown Wrapper

My granddaughter is a typical seven-year-old girl. She and I both love dolls and reading. For my own enjoyment and to encourage my granddaughter's reading of history, I ordered her an American Girl Doll catalog. The catalog has dolls that come with fictional stories placed during certain periods of American history.

I let my granddaughter know all about the catalog and she caught my excitement. She began to anticipate the catalog's arrival. Each afternoon, she would retrieve the mail and report the catalog was not there. Yesterday, she again reported the catalog had not arrived and the disappointment could be heard in her voice. In her hand, amongst several envelopes, was a magazine wrapped in brown paper. She did not know what she was holding until she tore open the wrapper and looked inside. Much to her surprise, it was the catalog! Excitement replaced the disappointment once she realized this was the long-awaited catalog. She thought the catalog would be bright and pretty and easy to identify. It had not come wrapped as she had expected.

How often do we expect things to come a certain way? We expect the answers to our prayers to be easily identified. Sometimes the answer appears differently from what we expect and not in the way we anticipate. The answer could be in our hands, simply wrapped up in plain brown paper. Like Alex, I need to open the wrapper and pull out the item.

One fine example was the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. After all, He was born in a manger and not a palace. The people of His day were not looking for Him to arrive in such a lowly manner, but the shepherds and the Wise Men looked beyond their expectations and found Jesus.

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, (Jesus) who was lying in a manger ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

We can also find Jesus just as the shepherds did. We need to remember He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His ways are not our ways.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord ( ).

I am so often sure I know what is going to happen in a certain situation. I think I know how God is going to answer. That is when I find out I have missed the blessing God has in store for me. I fail to look behind the cover! Like my granddaughter, I am disappointed, thinking nothing has happened. But the answer may have already arrived. We just need to keep on asking and looking. The scripture says we will find it if we keep on seeking.

Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone, who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks ( NLT).

Alex looked at the catalog, read, and reread all the descriptions of the dolls for most of the evening. What joy awaited her once she looked inside the wrapper! May we too look inside the wrappers and find our blessings and joys. Remember that they may come in unexpected ways.

Copyright © Kathy Schultz, used with permission.

A Dad Who Shows Up

Father’s day is rapidly approaching. Many of us will buy a card and small gift for our father to celebrate this date listed on the calendar. Dads come in all sizes, shapes, and varieties; good, bad and indifferent ones. In the last few weeks, I’ve come to realize what a blessing a good dad can be.

My friend Melissa performed in a high school play which ran two consecutive nights. Since her parents are divorced and family encounters still awkward, her father and his family chose to attend the first performance, and her mother and grandmother the second evening.

Melissa eagerly anticipated the evening. She practiced, had her lines down pat and talked about it nonstop for weeks. It was her opportunity to shine and make her family proud, especially her dad, who she no longer saw daily. When she came in the door the evening after the first night, her mother and grandmother had expected smiles and joy. Instead, Melissa fell into their arms in tears. Dad had forgotten and no one showed up to watch. The play had to go on and it did. The women attended the next evening and Melissa shined.

This dad let his child down. It happens over and over again, in many homes, in many different scenarios.

My husband was a different type of dad. I remember him rushing home from work to attend a band concert or a recital. He often could be found sitting on a hard bench regardless of the weather to watch his son play sports. Win or lose, he was there to cheer and encourage his children. He watched with glee when they graduated high school, pitched in when they went off to college, and was around to give them support on a daily basis. His laughter and love still resides in their hearts.

Time has marched on and now his son is a dad who learned a lot from his father's example. Just a weekend ago, I watched his youngest daughter’s ballet recital. In fact, I realized the room was filled with men who probably had never attended a ballet recital and could not distinguish one position from another. They were there because of their little girls. Most of these tiny ballerinas weren’t accomplished dancers and might never be. They were little tots performing for their families, doing the best they could do.

Afterward, our family went to dinner and I heard my son tell his daughter what a great job she did. It looked great to him and he knew she had done her best. She was his little girl and he was there to watch and encourage her.

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , NIV.

Then I remembered that we all have a Heavenly Father who thinks we are wonderful. He loves us and sees how hard we try. He knows exactly how to father us. He sees our attempts to do something right, he watches our effort and encourages us. He always loves us.

His love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. [ His] love never fails.” I Corinthians 13:7-8, NIV.

God forgives us when we make mistakes, even huge ones. He even sent His own son to die on a cross for us, so that we can live forever with Him. Father’s day will be forever and we won’t need to send a card or buy a gift.

“So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” , NLT

Invite God to your next performance, no matter the day or time. He will show up!