Do you, like me, struggle with the distractions and anxieties of the season? Do you long for a little calm and peace in the midst of it all? I like the translation in THE MESSAGE of Matthew 11:28-29 where “Jesus said, ‘Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace’. ”
As I approach this holy - but often hectic - season, I’m reminded to intentionally turn away from that which is hectic, and to look for the holy. Look for ways to experience the extraordinary in the ordinary. Take a walk, take note of your pace and your breathing, and the beauty that surrounds you. Take time to watch a sunrise or a sunset. Enjoy a warm fire on a cold morning, and curl up with that journal that hasn’t been opened in a while. Count your blessings. Make time to visit a friend or neighbor. Take a few things off your calendar. Avoid the malls, and instead give gifts of time, or a gift to your favorite mission to honor those you love. Be mindful of God’s goodness,grace, and glory that is around you!
This advent I hope you experience rhythms of grace that will fill you with love.
Lord God, may we see your goodness, feel your presence, and hear your voice this holiday season. Amen.
