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