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.