Distracted

Last night when I was getting ready for bed I noticed that my underwear was inside out.  It was one of those moments when you say to yourself, "Really?"  How had I gone the entire day and not noticed?  I hadn't felt any discomfort, not twisties, no wedgies - nothing.  The next moment I experienced a huge 'God Slap'.  This is the season of Advent.  We are supposed to be on guard and AWAKE.  We are supposed to be preparing our hearts for the birth of our Savior and for our everlasting life.

My entire day had been consumed by health insurance since our family insurance ends tomorrow.  I was talking to the state dept. of insurance, I was researching insurance online, I was talking to friends about insurance, I was getting quotes from an insurance broker.  At the end I am more confused about insurance, frustrated with the entire industry and mostly pissed off that despite that fact that we never go to the doctor and are healthy people, we really can't afford insurance.  I spent my entire day without a thought about God.  I spent the entire day in a state of fear.  How can God live in my heart if it is consumed by fear?  Then one word came to me...AWARE.  Before I can be AWAKE and ALERT for God, I must be AWARE of him in my life.  Then I started thinking about all the things I missed yesterday because I was so distracted - all the blessings in my life that are subtle reminders of God's love for me.

So today, a new day.  I am going to be AWARE.

First Sunday of Advent-2011

Isaiah 63: 16-17, 19; 64: 2-7

Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Mark 143:33-37

We have a favorite place we love to go every summer.  It’s quiet, beautiful, and out of town.  We get a chance to escape the craziness of our daily lives and connect with one another.  Our cell phones have spotty service, the satellite TV is broken, and the most modern appliance in the kitchen is a Radar Range.  We don’t mind, and truth be told, we love this place.  We don’t go there for the amenities; we go there for solitude and serenity.  We go there for spiritual renewal.  We go there to spend time with one another playing games, reading books, watching old movies, making plays from story books, taking hikes, going fishing, hanging out on the dock, watching the sun set, chasing frogs, peeing in the woods (ok – that’s the boy’s fun!), flashlight tag, stargazing.  We love this place not only because of the individual renewal we experience but also because of the reconnection and growth we feel with each other.  This is our idea of heaven on earth.

In the weeks leading up to our trip we spend a lot of time getting ready.  We have to book the cabin and the fishing guide.  We plan all our meals and make a detailed grocery list.  We check the fishing tackle and make a trip to Bass Pro to ensure we have all the proper gear.  As the departure day grows near there is a buzz in the air.  Everyone is a little restless and excited.  What are we going to forget this year?  What’s going to be the highlight this year?  The night before we leave we are so excited to start the trip that none of us can sleep.

As we begin the Advent season and our new church year we have an opportunity to prepare our spirits and our hearts for the coming of Christ; not just the birth of our Savior but his coming again.  This week the Gospel of Mark warns us to be on guard and stay awake.  When I look at my own life I wonder if I put more preparation into my vacation than into the preparation of my soul for my eternal life.  I wonder why I get more excited about fishing in Minnesota than the birth of my Savior.  I wonder why Christmas has started to feel more like a chore than the celebration of Christ’s Birth.  I have to ask myself, what can I do to create a more meaningful Advent?

This Sunday’s reading from Corinthians reminds us that we “are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:7  Through the graces of God I am already blessed with everything my soul needs.  It is my lethargy, self-absorption and unfaithfulness that tarnish my spirit. In recognizing these shortcomings I might find the first steps to a more fruitful Advent. 

Last Saturday I wandered into The I. Donnelly Company, a religious articles store.  I poked around a bit in the Advent section and found a book of Advent Meditations that spoke to me and I bought it.  I am committing time each morning to reading, reflecting and preparing for Advent.  I have my space prepared by my chair with my prayer candle, Bible and new meditations book. 

This is the season of waiting, of transforming, of letting the potter work on us again, strengthening us to be fired and ready to be used as a thing of beauty.  Wont’ you let the potter mold your spirit during this beautiful season of Advent?

I have found some helpful and meaningful web resources

First Sunday in Advent    jam packed with biblical history, a great scriptural explanation
Our Sunday Visitor- Advent great website with an e-book and daily reflections
Sunday Scripture Study - thought provoking questions and great meditation

Songs for this week
The Potter's Hand by Hillsong

I-phone & I-pad Apps
Advent Companion 2011 by Magnificat (sorry I don't know how to give you a link)

Giving thanks

I suppose one of the blessings I am most thankful for this year is my new sister Cindy. I'm thankful that she had this crazy idea, and I'm thankful that we've had the opportunity to work together and get to know each other. I'm also thankful for all the women I've gotten to know this year through CRHP. Each and every one is amazing and beautiful and a true gift from God--yet no two are alike.

I've never been the person who made a list of all my blessings each Thanksgiving, though that might be a fine idea. This year I am perhaps both the neediest and the most blessed I've ever been. What a strange set of circumstances! So, this year I am thankful for the simple things: a purring cat, a two-year-old's sticky kiss, fresh sheets, a cold Pepsi, a warm car and the knowledge that whatever happens--God has a plan for me.

Here We Go!

What in the world are we doing?  Well, Kay and I are going to carry on about our families, pets, sports, and our God in this blog.  We hope to be able to share our reflections on the Sacred Scriptures and to connect with our CRHP Sisters. 

I had this crazy idea that has grown into this blog.  And dear Kay, well, she's along for the ride.  Honestly, I think she will be the one to keep us on task and keep us posting.  And she's such an awesome writer I know her posts will be amazing.  I'm the idea girl.  God gives me these crazy ideas that I can't stop thinking about and they grow and the next thing you know I'm making a quilt (I'll explain in a future post), or starting a blog.  One thing I know for sure is that God won't let me sleep (literally) until I say, "Yes."

What is God bothering you about these day?  What is he waiting for you to say, "Yes," to?  What is he writing on your heart?