Journaling

Was it really worth the wait?

Posted on by MSFriend
Was it really worth the wait?
Joy in waiting!
Worth it?

Was it really worth the wait? I ask myself that today as I clean, cook and decorate the tree in anticipation of the arrival of Jesus. I say it certainly was, even though I feel like I’ve been operating at full throttle the entire season of Advent.

This year I participated in more prayer groups than in years past – each with it’s own agenda for Advent. In addition to all that, I committed to writing a reflection here everyday. There were Monday afternoon and evening commitments, Wednesday mornings and evenings, Friday mornings and Sunday evenings.

Wait how?

I’d wake up every morning to pray, meditate and read Scripture. I’d start thinking about my reflection and some days I was inspired immediately. Other days I was preoccupied with other responsibilities and I didn’t get to write until later in the evening.

So this Advent, while I “waited” to decorate and focused my attention on the reason for the season, it felt like a whirlwind. But I wouldn’t change it for the world because my relationship with the Lord has grown so much deeper. My desire to devour Scripture seems insatiable.

miracles happen

Last year I waited until Christmas Eve to get a tree. Not the best idea, everyone was sold out. I initially had to settle for a Walmart special which left much to be desired and then………….a Christmas miracle – my husband found a beautiful tree on the side of the road near his job site. It was beautiful and when he got it home we realized it came with a star and an angel ornament. A gift and blessing from God? I would like to think so.

This year, we waited until December 22 to pick up a tree. They weren’t sold out but the pickings were slim for sure. So we got one of the smallest trees we’ve ever had, but what could we do, right?

I have to admit, I was a little disappointed at first. Then I remembered Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem – relegated to a cave to birth the Savior of the world. I wondered if they were disappointed or if they were simply joyful for the miracle about to unfold.

As I sat back on my couch and looked at the tree, I was reminded of the Holy Family. In that moment I realized the beauty of waiting. Every year is different and every year I’m open to the possibility that a miracle may happen. I let what’s happening happen.

So grateful

As I wrap up my daily reflections this Christmas Eve, I am so grateful for the past few weeks and how everything turned out. No control, no desire to control, just focused on Christ as my center, knowing He is with me. I know He will provide. So, was it really worth the wait? As tired as I am, I say heck yeah!

Thank you all for your prayers this Advent. I know it’s what kept me going because there were days I felt I was running on empty! I’m so grateful for your support. Wishing you a Christmas filled with the joy felt by Mary and Joseph at the birth of their newborn Son. God bless you!

When the sun rises in the morning sky, you will see the King of kings coming forth from the Father like a radiant bridegroom from the bridal chamber.

Too caught up to encounter

Posted on by MSFriend
too caught up to encounter
Zechariah at the Visitation

Too caught up to encounter. The story of the angel Gabriel appearing to Zechariah reveals something I think we can all relate to. It reveals a “righteous” person’s inability to recognize God’s call. It reveals a lack of faith that God can answer prayer.

luke 1:5-25

In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years. 

Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God,
according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot
to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him,
standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. 

the messenger

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard.  Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you shall name him John.  And you will have joy and gladness,
and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. 
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb,
and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 
He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” 

disbelief

Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? 
For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 
And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. 
But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words,
which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.  But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary.  He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

she knows

Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.  After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”

too caught up

As you know, I’ve been journeying with Joseph through this Advent with my Rejoice Advent Meditations. So, it would seem logical that my first inclination was to compare Zechariah’s reaction to the angel with Joseph’s reaction to the angel in his dream.

I think Zechariah was too caught up to encounter God. Let me explain. Zechariah was a priest. Judging from the responsibility of our priests today, I would venture to guess Zechariah was extremely busy. As a priest, he bore the responsibility of serving his division according to the rules and laws of the time.

On the other hand Joseph, a carpenter, recognized the message of an angel in his dream. He recalled the Scripture he knew so well and recognized it’s fulfillment in his current predicament.

Zechariah seemed quite distracted from the present moment by his responsibility. Isn’t it hard to believe that Zechariah would doubt the angel, given his position? But he did. He lacked faith and was too caught up to encounter God. Joseph, on the other hand, was a man of deep faith who encountered God even in his dreams.

can you relate?

Who do you relate to? Are you like Zechariah? Maybe too caught up in religious rules and laws or too caught up in the busy-ness of the life you’ve created to truly encounter God? Do you lack faith?

Are you like Joseph? Do you give yourself time and space to actually encounter God – to feel His Presence and hear his voice?

one last thing

When I talk about encountering God, not only am I talking about our personal relationship with God but also our encounter with God through our interaction with others. Do we see them? Can we hear them? Are we compassionate toward them? Think of how good it feels to be seen, heard and understood. God bless you!

O Root
O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.