Monday, December 28, 2020

Dear God,

This pandemic year I wondered what Advent and Christmas would look like...no family, no special meals with friends, no celebrations, no get-togethers, no specially-planned events.  Yet, even in my wondering, I prayed to let my spirit follow you, to live in the moment, to count my blessings, to follow your lead to reach out to others, to celebrate the glory of Christ in the holy moment not just Christmas day but every day leading up to Christmas and after.  I prayed to live in gratitude for what I had rather than to live daily with disappointment, sadness and loss.  As I look back over the last weeks and months, I realize that this Advent was perhaps the best Advent ever.  Yes, I missed family but I found something else, something like finding a rare gem in a dusty field.

Instead of focusing on loss, I found what was right before me every moment of every day.  I discovered you in everything around me.  I recognized the deeper emotions of trust, hope and joy.  You warmed my soul with your own self.  You filled me with thoughts of you and joy in knowing I still had loved ones; they were just a little farther away this year.  You gave me contentment and joy in the moment.  Instead of allowing time to pass without thought, I was intentional about living in the very moment before moving to the next.  Strange, but wonderful.

Holy God,

thank you

for the

glorious moments

of the

last many weeks.

Thank you

for your generosity

of spirit

and love.

Thank you

for rewinding

my faith

and giving me opportunity

to look

and live deeper.

You have 

blessed me

so very much.

Love, Andrea