Advent Week Four: 20/20 Vision for 2020

Leaning in and listening to the truths of the season

whispered to my heart and reaching each nook and cranny of my soul.

Giving me clarity for the new year.

A new year that is patiently waiting, yet eagerly approaching. 

This Advent season has brought to me

a deeper knowledge of the One who

Has crafted every day

Has guided each step

Has made each moment possible and

Has been ever so faithful to me. 

It reminds me

implores me and

requires me 

to see the hope

embrace the truth

receive the JOY!

I will listen intently and redeem each moment.

Knowing the one who is 

everlasting

ever-present

and ever-always 

everything

is the hope and joy 

and will bring clarity for the new opportunities

headed my way. 

An epic advent season
is in the making
A 20/20 vision for 2020

Advent Week Three: 20/20 Vision for 2020

Old familiar carols sung

Sentimental ornaments carefully hung

Cookies baked 

Stockings in place

Enjoying it all

In a "slow hurried" pace.

So much of it familiar

So much is still the same

Yet with each growing year

our lives endure change

Kids grow older

Some move away

Gatherings need scheduled

Dynamics change.

The season seems different

With each passing year

Yet He whispers

"I'm the same"

I am forever.

I am near.

All of the rearranges

are just part of my story

And each one 

in His plan

and all for His glory

So I embrace the sentimental

And lean in to what's ahead

He is present 

and Everlasting

His mercies never end.

An epic Advent season

is in the making.

I'm seeing more clearly.

With anticipation,

I wait for what is to come

I couldn't be more excited!

A 20/20 vision

for 2020.

Advent Week Two - Redeem (20/20 Vision for 2020)

I've been focused
listening
waiting
"pressing pause"
So I can be
in tune
prepared for
this season of Advent.

Even still, the struggle is real--
An Advent tug of war takes place
to balance
to complete the tasks
to do the things
to meet the needs
to finish the lists
And still be connected
refreshed
renewed
by the lessons this season has to offer.

Then it comes
In the middle of the night
I'm thrown off the tracks
Taken from the lists
--Projects have been started and need finished
--Christmas boxes strewn all over the house begging to be deployed
--Briefcase full of the "undone" stuff sits silently by the door
--Dirty Dishes and cluttered counters
--Games, concerts, gatherings taunt me from the calendar reminding me "there's no way for me to do them now"

Because instead--
I am required to sit and wait.
Mentally I check my list
Repeating over in my head,
"A hospital stay was not on my list"
To be honest...
Being derailed, 
momentum interrupted,
is not my favorite place

Fighting off the impulse "to control all things"
I make myself listen.
He is faithful to bring to me
an admonition
an encouragement
an Advent reminder to
Embrace the wait
lean in to what I can learn
Make the time count.
Not just in this forced moment of a hospital stay,
But always!

My heart is encouraged
to see needs but also ask for help
to be present and not just show up
to have true connections and not just do the next thing
to lean in, press on and 
make that call
send that text
not to cross it off the list 
but to redeem the time I am given.

I will still have "things"
-- the work
-- the commitments
-- the tasks
and can I just say.... THE LAUNDRY!
But if I am missing out
on people
on opportunities
on connections
on matters of the heart
all I will have accomplished is just "a list"

An epic Advent season

is in the making.

I'm seeing more clearly.

With anticipation,

I wait for what is to come

I couldn't be more excited!

A 20/20 vision

for 2020.

#listen
#redeemthetime

Advent Week One -- LISTEN (20/20 Vision for 2020)

Quietly sipping on coffee from a Christmas mug 

I sit in silence--

Willing my body to be productive

Longing for my mind to be clear.

An Advent song plays softly.

As the melody unfolds 

the words pierce deeply into my soul.

Loose this heart bound up by shame 

And I will never be the same 

So here I wait in hope of You, 

My soul's longing through and through

Clarity comes.

A word is spoken softly to my heart.
"LISTEN."

In my willingness to listen

I become more aware

of who He is
of who I am

of what He has in store 

for me -- His child.

In this listening 

I am also prompted to be heard.

Invited to share all the things...

my worries

my doubts

my short comings

and shame

I am invited to share

how I've misspoken 

missed out and

messed up.

When I am done

I am not met with silence.

Instead, He continuously speaks. 
They are words which

inspire faith

instill hope
build me up

bring me confidence.

Continuing to listen--

more promises

more hope

more truth 

flood through my soul like rushing waters 

Reminders of 

His providential hand

His perfect plan

His presence -- 100% presence in it all

Long ago,

a baby in a manger 

changed the course of history!

He is Emmanuel

Prince of Peace

Man of Sorrows

Messiah

Savior

The Bread of Life

The Great I am

who is able

who sees

who hears

who knows

who heals

who changes hearts and 

who asks me to LISTEN!

An epic Advent season

is in the making.

I'm seeing more clearly.

With anticipation,

I wait for what is to come

I couldn't be more excited!

A 20/20 vision

for 2020.

"Oh, praise the Lord, for He has listened to my pleadings! He is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trusted in him, and he helped me. Joy rises in my heart until I burst out in songs of praise to him."  Psalm 28:6-7

Click here to hear the song.😊

Advent Hymn by Christy Nockels

Advent 2019 -- 20/20 Vision for 2020

The season of advent is upon us.

A season of

longing

faith

excited expectation

and peace.

A time for me to reflect

on a story

of the birth of a baby,

a Savior

sent for me.

A time--

to humbly attempt

to comprehend

how this miraculous birth

impacts my story

influences my days

encourages my soul.

On this advent,

my prayer

my plea

my longing

is to know what He would have for me.

I want 20/20 vision and

clarity for the coming year

what to do

how to be

what to hear and 

how to grow

in the knowledge of it all.

As always,

He hears my cry.

As I sit and listen--

He unfolds the

most beautiful

most amazing

most unbelievable

reminders

truths

proclamations and promises

spoken over me and

made possible only through

the life of this baby.

A 20/20 vision

for 2020.

Beautiful reminders

of who He is

of who I am in Him.

An epic Advent season

is in the making.

I'm seeing more clearly

With anticipation

I wait for what is to come

I couldn't be more excited!

My story is not over

My story is not over and
It hasn't just begun
It's been forming
since life started
and will finish
when life's done.

It's been a mix
of triumph
Scattered
with some mess
It's been a blend of joy
and even some sadness

My story
though a bit messy
could easily lead to shame
But, I choose to claim His goodness
And praise his glorious name.

Changes, Rearranges and the Goodness of God

Getting ready,

counting down 

for some changes

rearranges 

in my life.

Some big

Some little 

Some awkward

Some exciting

but, none the less --

changes.

My heart 

bursts with joy 

shouts enthusiastically

oozes with thankfulness--

because I have seen

His presence

His faithfulness

His love

His mercy

His grace

His handprint

through it all

I don't know 

all the whys

all the reasons

for all these seasons

But I do know --

He has been in them ALL.

I am thankful

I am grateful

I am blessed

I count down 

to the changes

the rearranges 

with the confidence

that His goodness

chases me

finds me

calms me

motivates me

and creates the most

ridiculous smile

on my face!

#itsavaughnderfullife