“If these walls could talk, I wonder what secrets they'd tell.”― Gayle Forman 

The meaning of barn large farm building used for storing grain, hay, or straw or for housing livestock.

There are approximately 14 verses about the word barn in the Bible.

This word came to me as a word challenge from a friend. I am usually up for a good challenge. So, let's see what we can discover about this inanimate object. Living in Tennessee there seems to be such a variety of barns. Some are shiny and new, some are large and red, and some show a character all of their own. They are battered and worn.. some may be dangerous to explore. 

They make me think if they could talk what stories would they share ?? How many families utilized them? How many animals did they shelter from the elements of storms? Did they provide protection for their food supply and livelihood?

Well, as always let’s look and see if this word is even found in scripture? And oh yes it’s a win for the home team. Right there in Deuteronomy 28:8, it says “The Lord will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you”

But as I began to search this word further I found a mediation that played out in my mind's eye.  So I thought I would share. 

Mediation 10:52

As I started this meditation I had the birth of Christ on my mind. So this is where the story unfolded ... 

I listened to meditation music called God's love for you. Beautiful music with no words. I became relaxed and my mind drifted here. I found myself in a setting like the Sahara desert. I was dressed in many long layers with a headdress of long cloth enough to drape across my nose and mouth only leaving my eyes exposed.  I seemed to be walking through dunes and traveling through a sand storm. My clothes were waving in the wind as it whipped around me. The sand was stinging my skin as it pelted anything that was exposed to the elements... 

It was dusk and I knew in my heart that I had to continue my journey if I was to witness the miracle of birth... As I pressed forward, the night began to fall and the most amazing star appeared and I heard in my soul. This light has always guided you .. just continue to follow it.

I then witnessed the warm lights of a city on the distant horizon ... 

I finally reached the dimly lit city and began to seek Mary and Joseph... and I was guided to the barn where they were located.  I arrived in time. 

I rushed in and kneeled by Mary.. she smiled.  I said I am here to help. What can I do to comfort you? She grabbed my hand a squeezed and the moment and intensity of birth began. 

My eyes welled up with tears and they began to slowly roll down my face The time went quickly but also seemed to move in slow motion ...

The baby arrived. I held him and I thought something must be wrong because I did not hear him cry. I pulled the cover away from his face and then I witnessed His angelic face. His eyes were open they were a dark brown He had dark hair framing His little face. He was alert, He had the most precious peaceful look upon his face.

As I held him I was in awe of His majestic splendor.  His tiny hand grasped my pinky and held on as if He knew me. I gently kissed his forehead and whispered in his ear.  

“I loved you even before you were born” ... 

The moment and peaceful love engulfed the room with a warm light.

I began to cleanse His tiny body and rewrap Him tightly and handed Him to his beautiful mother, she smiled. 

As I stepped back His earthly father loving gathered them both in his strong arms and held them ... I then moved to the back of the barn and watched as others arrived to bow in adoration of this tiny miracle...

I thought this tiny child one day will bear the weight of the world ... So much love filled my heart and soul that I could not contain the tears of joy,  they just streamed down my face ... 

But at that moment, I also felt heartbreak knowing what lies ahead for this new life... What an amazing sight. The music faded and the meditation ended. 

Lesson ... Follow His light. He brings you amazing peace and a love like no other ... He is truly a miracle... 

This beautiful royal life could have had a castle but His life started with a modest humble beginning... and "The Lord will command the blessing upon you in your barns" 

The next time you see a barn. Let it remind you of HIM !!

It's Him, It's always HIM !!

God chose for His Son to be born in a stable. This is because Jesus came in humility and in poverty to identify with the poorest and weakest among us.

Photography & Written by Lori Garner  

Bible Verses From KJV  / Sinner's Prayer

Music from Youtube 

Perfect Love (Mary's Song) by Darlene Zschech

https://youtu.be/6BOBydX5ez0?si=rsu47EoyBzxXZ41T

She will always see her precious little boy. 

As a mother, how do you reconcile the fact that your child carries the weight of the world on his shoulders? How can you deal with seeing the pain in your Child's eyes? How do you stand at His feet and watch Him take his last breath?  Witnessing this must have put a rip in her heart so deep she felt it was beyond repair... She must have suffered every wound, every tear, and every drop of blood that fell. The anguish must have been beyond comprehension.  She gave us such a precious piece of her life. She gave us her beautiful son... She was just a child herself when he was born. But she trusted God to hold her hand through her life's trial. 

Even knowing how important His role is, the loss must have always haunted her soul.  She was left behind with all her human frailties to embrace and understand the magnitude of His life.  Only her Son could deliver such an amazing gift of peace and healing to her heart. I am so grateful for them and their sacrifice.  

When you look for strength, remember this story of a mother and child and their journey. It’s unconditional love at its finest and the most beautiful love story we will ever know. 

Today, let’s remember the sacrifices they made for the greatest love we will ever know. 

 “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”

Luke 1:46-47 KJV

Photography, Art & Written by Lori Garner  

Bible Collaboration - Joann Turnbull

Sinner's Prayer 

Inspiring Music: YouTube

JJ Heller - Still My Little Boy (Official Audio Video)

CeeLo Green "Mary Did You Know" Official Music Video - The Bible Series.mov | FOX Entertainment

Mary’s Perfect LOVE

When a beautiful blessing caused heartbreak.  

As a mother how do you reconcile that your child carries the weight of the world on his shoulders? How can you deal with seeing the pain in your child's eyes? How do you stand at his feet and watch him take his last breath?  Witnessing this must have put a rip in her heart so deep she felt it was beyond repair... She must have suffered every wound, every tear, and every drop of blood that fell. The anguish must have been beyond comprehension.  She gave us such a precious piece of her life.. She gave us her beautiful son... She was just a child herself when he was born. But she trusted God to hold her hand through her life's trial. 

Even knowing how important his role is, the loss must have always haunted her soul.  She was left behind with all her human frailties to embrace and understand the magnitude of his life.  Only her son could deliver such an amazing gift of peace and healing to her heart. I am so grateful for her and her sacrifice.  

When you look for strength remember this story of a mother and child and their journey. It’s unconditional love at its finest.. It’s the most beautiful love story we will ever know... 

Today let’s remember Mary's sacrifice and her beautiful gift of LOVE.  

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”

Luke 1:46-47 KJV

Photography, Art & Written by Lori Garner  

Inspiring Music: YouTube

Anne Wilson - Mary, Did You Know? (Official Audio)

“From Mary, we learn to surrender to God’s will in things. From Mary, we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary, we learn to love Christ, her Son, and the Son of God…Learn from her to be always faithful, to trust that God’s Word to you will be fulfilled and that nothing is impossible with God.”- St. John Paul II

Meaning of Mary mother of Jesus. 

The name Mary is in 46 verses... 

As we approach one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays, known as "Christmas". 

I would like to ask you to indulge me for a moment as we stop and give thanks to a woman who gave the world such a monumental gift...I say woman but she was only a child, maybe in her early teens...Who was she? Why did God favor her so? He trusted her to fulfill a prophecy that had already been put into motion since the beginning of time... 

I struggle with trying to understand her unwavering commitment, her faith, and her love.. at such an early age. 

Would we have the strength to say yes Father your will not mine... I will carry the shame when others do not understand, I will be your living vessel. I will deliver forgiveness and a love that goes deeper than most people can even comprehend. I will do my part to save all of mankind. 

Was she even aware of the magnitude of this moment when she became God’s own chosen mother on earth...

Let’s travel back in time... Let me set the scene. God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee. To deliver a message of the highest importance... This message can be found in Luke 1:26-38. 

The angel told her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor  with God. You will become pregnant, give birth to a son, and name him Jesus. He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High. 

How many of us would have been so unafraid? How many of us would have only asked one question? Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? I’m a virgin.” The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God. 

Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.”

UNWAVERING FAITH...  such responsibility... such Love and commitment at such a young age. 

How could she share this news with her parents? Imagine a young unmarried girl telling her parents, family, and her fiancé I am pregnant... With God's child... ??? 

How many of us would believe such an unbelievable story?? 

While trying to understand this moment my mind traveled to Him... This beautiful innocent baby had been placed in her womb for the most incredible mission that man could even begin to understand. What did she feel? Did her emotions run away with her? 

I have been blessed with children and I know the feeling of a tiny life growing within... What an amazing God-given miracle... What excitement and joy when you feel the baby move for the first time... But what do you feel when you know you are carrying the Son of God??? Are these feelings magnified? Or are they what every new mother has felt. Excitement, Love, Apprehension maybe fear? 

Will the delivery be painful, Will my baby be healthy? Will I be a good mother?? Every child born is a miracle from God but to be singled out to carry God's own Son... What a larger-than-life, heaven-sent responsibility!!!! 

Have you ever witnessed childbirth? I have had the amazing privilege of photographing such a miracle... The love that filled the room that day could only be from God... 

I wish I could have captured this beautiful moment that happened so long ago... I can only close my eyes and envision this moment in time... Childbirth is a painful bodily experience...But soon,  birthing pains are all forgotten, all the questions disappear and you are caught up in the beautiful moment of seeing the angelic face before you... all activity around you seems to fade into the distance ... You hear, see and touch nothing but this precious new life... and time seems to stand still for just a few moments... 

I can only wonder, As she gently kissed His beautiful face... Did she think I am kissing the face of God... or at that tender moment was the newborn baby her precious beautiful baby boy and her gift from God?  

All believers are given the miracle of God's own Son... to dwell within...  He is our gift from God ... Do we cherish Him? Or do we feel shame and apprehension when we share His message with friends and family? Do we feel excited and overjoyed when we feel Him within our very soul?  Are we set apart for a purpose? Do we have faith enough to be His willing vessel! Will we care for Him as He grows in our hearts and becomes a part of our very existence?

There is a miracle of new life that happens within each believer. As you feel His presence in your daily life things of this world will fade into the distance ...You see His  Face and He will become as precious to you as a newborn babe... 

And your heart will whisper ... 

It’s Him, It has always been Him. My precious one...My gift from God... 

He WOWs me!

So when that day comes, you will know that I am living in the Father and that you are one with me, for I will be living in you. Those who truly love me are those who obey my commands. Whoever passionately loves me will be passionately loved by my Father. And I will passionately love him in return and will reveal myself to him.” 

John 14:20-22 TPT

Photography & Written by Lori Garner

Model Megan Mahoney

Sinners Prayer 

Inspiring Music by (youtube)

Bible collaboration - Joann Turnbull 

Amy Grant - Mary's Song (Breath Of Heaven) [HD] (lyrics in comments)