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