Saturday, December 6, 2014

Dear God,

I love the season of Advent and Christmas for it gives me opportunity to remember my faith and why I practice it daily. 

On Thanksgiving Day I put up my Christmas tree.  Due to problems with a kitchen renovation I did not get to decorate it.  It was on Monday when I finally finished it.  As I looked it over I decided I needed something else as a tree topper.  A star, I told myself, I need a star.  So I went to two stores and found the ugliest stars I have ever seen.  Neither of them reflected the light of Christ coming into the world.  I went back home but every time I walked by the tree the next few days my eyes went to the empty top.  Yesterday I stood by the tree thinking about you and the message of Advent, of preparation, of making ready for a fresh new coming of your living spirit.  All of a sudden my gaze shifted and I realized I had the topper among the ornaments already on the tree.  I stood on the piano stool, not a good idea, and reached up.  I moved the frosty ornament to the left allowing the word "hope" to be the star.  As I crawled safely down I looked up and smiled.

So often, O Lord, I place my hope in out-of-the-way places, hidden from view.  I forget to put my hope front and center.  As a result my hope begins to wane and my faith commences to falter.  I can grow weary and miserable; however, when I move faith to its rightful place, strength comes to me.  Peace finds its way to my soul.  Joy returns and I discover I am able to do the impossible.  Hope revives me, restores my confidence, and leads me to you.

Thank you,
Wondrous God,
for the miracle
of faith.
Thank you
for your
sweet kindness.
Thank you
for blessing me
with hope
from on high.

Love, Andrea