Monday, November 27, 2006

Dearest God,

I woke up at 4:00 a.m. this morning. Decided to get up. Spent the next three hours cleaning out the cruddy car, sorting through papers in my briefcase, throwing away 2004 and 2005 Christmas letters, recording all receipts for my Financial Peace University cash flow plan, adding new addresses to my address book, washing clothes and folding them, rolling up clean sleeping bags, and putting away varied items. Now you and I will spend time together before I get on the treadmill for 15 minutes (I've lost 18 lbs on my lifestyle change plan).

Uncluttering, cleaning out, sorting through, helps to clear my mind, not to mention the areas where the clutter existed. I feel more on top of things when I know where things are and have passed important information (they may not think so) on to others. Having a handle on things helps me move more easily into my work.

It is almost Advent. I want my spirit to go through the same uncluttering procedure. I cannot receive the Gift if I am too full of clutter. I will miss the sound of angels singing if I am talking to myself about all I have to do. I will be blind to God in the manger if I am too busy, anxious. Simplifying my life will ready me for the Savior's entry into my life once again. I want to prepare my heart and soul to receive him. I want to lay the straw, warm the room, prepare the blanket, then begin singing as the Savior comes to the world, to me. What a beautiful image just thinking about it. My soul wants to meditate, quiet, still myself, listen for every word God wants to say to me this Advent, this Christmas, even this new year.

I am a creature of habit. I hold on to papers on my desk at home, at work, in my briefcase. Then one day I can't stand it any longer and I start pitching. I keep thinking I need to do something about this and that. But really it's not always necessary. I don't have to keep everything. Just the important things.

The work is not all done. I'll do some more tomorrow morning. Today my work will be a whirlwind. I meet with a family about a memorial service at 8:45 a.m. Then I have to run to a county hospital for a surgery of a member. Then I have to make my way the opposite direction to the southside to visit a member in rehab. Then back to church. This is the week before Charge Conference. Lots of calls still to make for the 2007 Leadership Team. Forms, forms, and more forms to fill out. Writing to do, booklets to make. And visits, lots of sick people, lonely people. I've got to see the shut ins.

The good news is that I will not be alone in my tasks, my endeavors. God will ride along. I will listen. God will speak. I don't want to miss a word. God will be with me as I plan, prepare and put together everything needing to be done.

I am preparing my heart to receive so I can give away.

Love bursts forth
from my heart
as I prepare myself
for your entry.
I am so grateful
for Advent,
the preparation time.
I couldn't just go
from Thanksgiving
to Christmas.
I need Advent.
This 'ole heart
needs some reworking,
maybe a little rewiring,
mending and restoring
to really be ready.
I don't want Christmas Eve
to just be Christmas Eve.
I want to see Christ,
not just preach about him.
I want to see Christ,
then offer Him in the Holy Communion.
I want the real presence
to be in our sanctuary
December 24.
I want us to be amazed,
awed, in wonder
of Christ with us.
God is either dead
or alive.
If God is alive,
it only makes sense
that God is with us.
Emmanuel.
Anticipation.

Eternally yours, Andrea