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by Anita Schamber, oneLifemaps Facilitator
Related to the Reviewing My Days maps from Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story by Sibyl Towner and Sharon Swing.
During the recent busy Christmas season, when have you noticed the love of God through the kindness and compassion of others?
As my 4 year old granddaughter, Claire Arney, rode in the back seat of her mother’s car one bitterly cold December day on the way to preschool in Denver, she noticed a homeless man on the corner holding a makeshift, cardboard sign with the scrawled words “Cold, Hungry, Ugly, Dirty.” Mr. CHUD, as they named him, was one of many homeless persons Claire had asked questions about with her parents. They explained that they gave money to the church and shelters to help homeless people who weren’t as fortunate as their family.
On this particular day, Claire apparently wasn’t content simply passing by and watching Mr. CHUD standing alone in the cold, hoping that their gifts to the church and shelters might help him. As the car passed Mr. CHUD, Claire sat silent for a few moments and then decided, “Mom, I’m going to help Mr. CHUD. Tomorrow, I’m going to bring him a breakfast bar, a banana and some money from my piggy bank.” When she arrived at school, Claire continued, “Mom, I’ll also bring Mr. CHUD a cup of milk.” Her mother agreed that milk was a good idea, but it might be difficult to provide; yet she commended Claire on her thoughtfulness.
After school and into that evening, no further conversation about Claire’s plan for Mr. CHUD arose, so her parents thought that her plan was a fleeting thought. That was, until bedtime. As they prepared Claire’s school things for the next morning, Claire also diligently began to gather gifts for Mr. CHUD. Before going to bed, Claire grabbed $2 from her piggy bank, a banana from the countertop and a breakfast bar from the cupboard, and announced that she would give them to Mr. CHUD the next morning.
The next morning Claire added two hand warmers to her little bag and headed out the door with her daddy, excited about the prospect of giving them to Mr. CHUD. As their car approached the corner, they spotted Mr. CHUD, cold and not dressed for the frigid weather, with his nearly illegible, but quite accurate sign. They stopped the car 50 feet short of the corner and beckoned to Mr. CHUD to come to the car. When Mr. CHUD neared the car, Claire rose up from her car seat, proudly and sweetly, and raised her bag toward Mr. CHUD’s outstretched arms. She carefully explained, “I made this bag just for you. Inside it you will find, money, food and hand warmers,” and her daddy added, “She is a 4-year old and the money is from her own piggy bank.” Mr. CHUD then smiled, revealing only a few cracked teeth, a smile that seemed to be his first in a long time. Then, in a weak, but genuinely appreciative and sincere voice, he said, “Thank you very, very much, honey.”
As they drove away, Claire simply said, “Good! Now Mr. CHUD can buy whatever he wants!” And her daddy smiled. As my son retold the story to me, his mother, via e-mail, he wrote, “I’m not sure what that visit really meant to Mr. CHUD, but for me, the joy I felt pounding in my heart as we drove down the road was a realization that Christmas came early for me this year on that early Tuesday morning."
Is it any wonder that Jesus wanted the adults to “let the little children” come to Him? He knew their pure hearts, love, and compassion were unfettered by the prejudice, cynicism, hatred, and materialism of the larger world. When I learned of my granddaughter’s giving spirit, I, too, smiled and then cried – grateful for her act of compassion and generosity and the reminder to be Christ to others. Jesus calls each of us to respond as Claire did, for when we do this to and for the least of those in this world, we do it to and for Him.
Scripture Reflection:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. . .” Matthew 25:35
“I tell you the truth,, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4
Question:
How is Jesus calling you to respond to the needs of those around you?
Anita Schamber is a facilitator and teacher using the Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story, a visual workbook for small groups, mentoring relationships, workshops, retreats, classes, between spiritual friends, or individually to re-discover the storyline of the life they are authoring with God. More information is available at www.onelifemaps.com.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
"I'm Here"
By Sibyl Towner
Related to the Life-Giving Rhythms & Reviewing My Days maps from Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story by Sibyl Towner and Sharon Swing.
This past Sunday was the 4th Sunday of Advent…the season of waiting with anticipation…the time of listening more deeply to who we are and who we are becoming in Christ in this particular year. It is an invitation to honesty and openness on our part.
It is also:
•The time of remembering that Christ came 2000+ years ago and entered our world vulnerable and needing others to survive and live. This is true for all of us.
•The time of reflecting on the ways we have come to Christmas over the years and the events that have shaped our actions each year.
•The time of looking at our relational world; its health and vitality and our part in helping relationships deepen and grow…beginning with those closest to us and extending to those on the other side of the world.
•The time to remember that He is coming again and until then, we carry the gospel hour by hour, day by day and week by week into the place we live and work and have our being and our doing.
This Advent began the Sunday after Thanksgiving. It was a travel day going back home after having been with family. That Monday I taught at Judson University for their chapel and opened up with Advent inviting the students to come to Christmas and to Christ in a more authentic way this year. Dick and I usually have Advent gatherings that include a lot of families and singles each week to come together and remember the Christ who came, who is in our midst through one another and who is coming again. This year we had less large groups and a number of small gatherings with a focus of listening to the activity of God in our current lives and to give thanks. We went visiting as well to some who could not come out, but who could receive someone coming in.
Scripture Reflection:
"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Ps. 25:4-5
Question:
Can you find 10 minutes this week and approach God as a beloved daughter or son and be quiet? Just say, "I'm here." Listen for nudges and invitations to action, to waiting, and pray for courage to follow Him.
Sibyl Towner and Sharon Swing are co-authors of Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story, a visual workbook for small groups, mentoring relationships, workshops, retreats, classes, between spiritual friends, or individually to re-discover the storyline of the life they are authoring with God. More information is available at www.onelifemaps.com.
Related to the Life-Giving Rhythms & Reviewing My Days maps from Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story by Sibyl Towner and Sharon Swing.
This past Sunday was the 4th Sunday of Advent…the season of waiting with anticipation…the time of listening more deeply to who we are and who we are becoming in Christ in this particular year. It is an invitation to honesty and openness on our part.
It is also:
•The time of remembering that Christ came 2000+ years ago and entered our world vulnerable and needing others to survive and live. This is true for all of us.
•The time of reflecting on the ways we have come to Christmas over the years and the events that have shaped our actions each year.
•The time of looking at our relational world; its health and vitality and our part in helping relationships deepen and grow…beginning with those closest to us and extending to those on the other side of the world.
•The time to remember that He is coming again and until then, we carry the gospel hour by hour, day by day and week by week into the place we live and work and have our being and our doing.
This Advent began the Sunday after Thanksgiving. It was a travel day going back home after having been with family. That Monday I taught at Judson University for their chapel and opened up with Advent inviting the students to come to Christmas and to Christ in a more authentic way this year. Dick and I usually have Advent gatherings that include a lot of families and singles each week to come together and remember the Christ who came, who is in our midst through one another and who is coming again. This year we had less large groups and a number of small gatherings with a focus of listening to the activity of God in our current lives and to give thanks. We went visiting as well to some who could not come out, but who could receive someone coming in.
Scripture Reflection:
"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Ps. 25:4-5
Question:
Can you find 10 minutes this week and approach God as a beloved daughter or son and be quiet? Just say, "I'm here." Listen for nudges and invitations to action, to waiting, and pray for courage to follow Him.
Sibyl Towner and Sharon Swing are co-authors of Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story, a visual workbook for small groups, mentoring relationships, workshops, retreats, classes, between spiritual friends, or individually to re-discover the storyline of the life they are authoring with God. More information is available at www.onelifemaps.com.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Stop and Think About It - Part 3
By Joan Kelley, oneLifemaps Facilitator
Related to the Life-Giving Rhythms & Reviewing My Days maps from Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story by Sibyl Towner and Sharon Swing.
What rhythm and pace have you felt as you have approached Christmas this year?
We have four children ages 16 down to 8 and so the pace at our house can be quite hectic to say the least. This summer my oldest son, Will, was diagnosed with leukemia and now our pace has a much different look and feel. Will’s illness has required attention and simplicity that has not been necessary before. After his diagnosis, our plates were immediately cleared. As I look back on it now, I realize that was a gift. And now as we slowly and selectively add things back into our lives, we are watching our pace very carefully.
I’m finding this Advent season now has a new rhythm and pace as well. It seemed awkward at first and so I have had to begin with preparing my heart and mind. This has taken some discipline on my part to simplify and figure out what was truly important this year – doing less “stuff”, buying less “stuff”, saying more “no’s”, holding loosely to most things and holding tightly to God. Our “stripped down” version of what Christmas used to entail now holds more meaning. It’s simplicity seems to more closely mirror the conditions of our Savior’s birth. And while so much has been taken away, it has resulted in more humility, more awe, more awareness of the precious nature of life and family. I have slowly change my attitude from hurry up, clean it up and check it off to being more present in the moment and comfortable in the quiet. It has felt good to slow down, to be closer to my God-set inner pace vs. the self imposed pace the world pushes on us and we chose to own. This part of the advent rhythm has taught me about the rests in the melody that make the other notes so beautiful and sweet.
The Advent rhythm for me has then seemed to move from this time of preparation to anticipation and expectation. While the world has been in high gear about shopping and getting it done, I have tried to move my heart to delight. My children have helped me remember that God loves a playful expectant heart. I love their pure delight in moving the new character each morning into the nativity Advent calendar that hangs on the wall. My son went to bed and asked, “Can I move the day 3 sheep up? Pleeease! The day is almost here. Can I move baby Jesus in and make Christmas happen faster?” I’m trying to work on filling my soul with some more anticipation and wonder as we move closer to the time. I’m hoping to hear the melody of Advent in a more “forte” kind of way.
My final verse in this rhythm of Advent seems to center around pondering and savoring the story, the baby, the moments of awe. This is where the preparation and anticipation begin to weave together God’s story and my own. I’m beginning to spend time thinking about what it would be like to be “in the scene.” What would it feel like to be a shepherd, a wiseman, Joseph, Mary? Who does God want me to identify with this year? What does God need for me to bring to the manger this year – an uncluttered mind, a listening heart, a self-less soul, a new perspective on life, a renewed or reconciled relationship? How can I authentically bring these gifts and not just a beautiful empty box with those words on the label? How can I sing the familiar songs with a greater awareness of their fuller meaning? This chorus of questions has helped remind me how my story intimately fits as a part of the Christmas story. Like Mary, this Christmas, part of my gift is “treasuring up all these things and pondering them in my heart.” I’m hoping to do more treasuring and pondering in these days to come.
I’m thankful for this rhythm of advent I am learning this year – preparation, anticipation and pondering. I hope you can find the Advent rhythm that God has set before you this season and you can stop and think about it, savor it and pull it forward into the new year.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. “ --Luke 2:16-20
QUESTION:
How can I find the rhythm of Advent that God has placed before me, even in these last days before Christmas?
Joan Kelley is a facilitator and teacher using the Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story, a visual workbook for small groups, mentoring relationships, workshops, retreats, classes, between spiritual friends, or individually to re-discover the storyline of the life they are authoring with God. More information is available at www.onelifemaps.com. Joan writes a daily blog at www.caringbridge.org/visit/willkelley.
Related to the Life-Giving Rhythms & Reviewing My Days maps from Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story by Sibyl Towner and Sharon Swing.
What rhythm and pace have you felt as you have approached Christmas this year?
We have four children ages 16 down to 8 and so the pace at our house can be quite hectic to say the least. This summer my oldest son, Will, was diagnosed with leukemia and now our pace has a much different look and feel. Will’s illness has required attention and simplicity that has not been necessary before. After his diagnosis, our plates were immediately cleared. As I look back on it now, I realize that was a gift. And now as we slowly and selectively add things back into our lives, we are watching our pace very carefully.
I’m finding this Advent season now has a new rhythm and pace as well. It seemed awkward at first and so I have had to begin with preparing my heart and mind. This has taken some discipline on my part to simplify and figure out what was truly important this year – doing less “stuff”, buying less “stuff”, saying more “no’s”, holding loosely to most things and holding tightly to God. Our “stripped down” version of what Christmas used to entail now holds more meaning. It’s simplicity seems to more closely mirror the conditions of our Savior’s birth. And while so much has been taken away, it has resulted in more humility, more awe, more awareness of the precious nature of life and family. I have slowly change my attitude from hurry up, clean it up and check it off to being more present in the moment and comfortable in the quiet. It has felt good to slow down, to be closer to my God-set inner pace vs. the self imposed pace the world pushes on us and we chose to own. This part of the advent rhythm has taught me about the rests in the melody that make the other notes so beautiful and sweet.
The Advent rhythm for me has then seemed to move from this time of preparation to anticipation and expectation. While the world has been in high gear about shopping and getting it done, I have tried to move my heart to delight. My children have helped me remember that God loves a playful expectant heart. I love their pure delight in moving the new character each morning into the nativity Advent calendar that hangs on the wall. My son went to bed and asked, “Can I move the day 3 sheep up? Pleeease! The day is almost here. Can I move baby Jesus in and make Christmas happen faster?” I’m trying to work on filling my soul with some more anticipation and wonder as we move closer to the time. I’m hoping to hear the melody of Advent in a more “forte” kind of way.
My final verse in this rhythm of Advent seems to center around pondering and savoring the story, the baby, the moments of awe. This is where the preparation and anticipation begin to weave together God’s story and my own. I’m beginning to spend time thinking about what it would be like to be “in the scene.” What would it feel like to be a shepherd, a wiseman, Joseph, Mary? Who does God want me to identify with this year? What does God need for me to bring to the manger this year – an uncluttered mind, a listening heart, a self-less soul, a new perspective on life, a renewed or reconciled relationship? How can I authentically bring these gifts and not just a beautiful empty box with those words on the label? How can I sing the familiar songs with a greater awareness of their fuller meaning? This chorus of questions has helped remind me how my story intimately fits as a part of the Christmas story. Like Mary, this Christmas, part of my gift is “treasuring up all these things and pondering them in my heart.” I’m hoping to do more treasuring and pondering in these days to come.
I’m thankful for this rhythm of advent I am learning this year – preparation, anticipation and pondering. I hope you can find the Advent rhythm that God has set before you this season and you can stop and think about it, savor it and pull it forward into the new year.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. “ --Luke 2:16-20
QUESTION:
How can I find the rhythm of Advent that God has placed before me, even in these last days before Christmas?
Joan Kelley is a facilitator and teacher using the Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story, a visual workbook for small groups, mentoring relationships, workshops, retreats, classes, between spiritual friends, or individually to re-discover the storyline of the life they are authoring with God. More information is available at www.onelifemaps.com. Joan writes a daily blog at www.caringbridge.org/visit/willkelley.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Stop and Think About It - Part 2
By Joan Kelley
Related to the Life-Giving Rhythms & Reviewing My Days maps from Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story by Sibyl Towner and Sharon Swing.
What are you excited about this Christmas?
I'm starting to realize Christmas is approaching very quickly. I know this is not a real news flash for any of you, but it just kind of hit me in the last week. I saw final touches being done on decorations outside people's homes. I had to run an errand at Target, and it was oozing with candy canes and Santa Claus. I received the first few Christmas cards in the mail. The forecast is for cold and snow. I turned on the radio, and it was all Christmas. You see Christmas at our house feels different this year, because my 16 year old son, Will, was diagnosed with leukemia a few months ago. I cannot even begin to explain to you where my heart is at this year as we enter December. It's basically been living on the outside of my body since about June. I have to admit it's a bit hard to go out of my home sometimes, carrying this raw emotion and enter the “real” world of “ho-ho-ho!” It's a bit overwhelming and reminds me that we are walking in a very different stripped-down model of life at our house.
But in contrast to the world, my mind and heart, today at least, are at peace – I'm not frantic because lists aren't made, presents bought, Christmas cards written, travel plans made, cookies in the works, parties planned. It really makes no difference this year, and I have to admit it feels right and pure and simple. It's funny the things that God can teach you through cancer. However as I enter this outside world, I find myself wanting to shout, “Excuse me shoppers. Can I have your attention? Don't you get it? Stop and think about it! It's not about the gifts. It's about the baby.”
My friend, Gayle, shared this story that happened at their Christmas Eve service. “There were some young people in attendance with special needs. One of them in the middle of service shouted out, “It's Jesus' Birthday!!” He sounded so excited. Of course, people looked around. The mother was so embarrassed, but it brought tears to my eyes. How excited are we to celebrate Jesus' birthday? It seems to do just the opposite -- it brings stress about gifts, who's going where when, what are we having to eat, how many people will be there, and the list goes on. We should all take three seconds or three minutes and shout with joy -- IT'S JESUS' BIRTHDAY!!"
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION: “The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."'” --Luke 2:10-12
QUESTION:
How can you become more excited and joyful about the baby and less distracted about the ways of the world this Christmas?
Joan Kelley is a facilitator and teacher using the Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story, a visual workbook for small groups, mentoring relationships, workshops, retreats, classes, between spiritual friends, or individually to re-discover the storyline of the life they are authoring with God. More information is available at www.onelifemaps.com. Joan writes a daily blog at www.caringbridge.org/visit/willkelley.
Related to the Life-Giving Rhythms & Reviewing My Days maps from Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story by Sibyl Towner and Sharon Swing.
What are you excited about this Christmas?
I'm starting to realize Christmas is approaching very quickly. I know this is not a real news flash for any of you, but it just kind of hit me in the last week. I saw final touches being done on decorations outside people's homes. I had to run an errand at Target, and it was oozing with candy canes and Santa Claus. I received the first few Christmas cards in the mail. The forecast is for cold and snow. I turned on the radio, and it was all Christmas. You see Christmas at our house feels different this year, because my 16 year old son, Will, was diagnosed with leukemia a few months ago. I cannot even begin to explain to you where my heart is at this year as we enter December. It's basically been living on the outside of my body since about June. I have to admit it's a bit hard to go out of my home sometimes, carrying this raw emotion and enter the “real” world of “ho-ho-ho!” It's a bit overwhelming and reminds me that we are walking in a very different stripped-down model of life at our house.
But in contrast to the world, my mind and heart, today at least, are at peace – I'm not frantic because lists aren't made, presents bought, Christmas cards written, travel plans made, cookies in the works, parties planned. It really makes no difference this year, and I have to admit it feels right and pure and simple. It's funny the things that God can teach you through cancer. However as I enter this outside world, I find myself wanting to shout, “Excuse me shoppers. Can I have your attention? Don't you get it? Stop and think about it! It's not about the gifts. It's about the baby.”
My friend, Gayle, shared this story that happened at their Christmas Eve service. “There were some young people in attendance with special needs. One of them in the middle of service shouted out, “It's Jesus' Birthday!!” He sounded so excited. Of course, people looked around. The mother was so embarrassed, but it brought tears to my eyes. How excited are we to celebrate Jesus' birthday? It seems to do just the opposite -- it brings stress about gifts, who's going where when, what are we having to eat, how many people will be there, and the list goes on. We should all take three seconds or three minutes and shout with joy -- IT'S JESUS' BIRTHDAY!!"
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION: “The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."'” --Luke 2:10-12
QUESTION:
How can you become more excited and joyful about the baby and less distracted about the ways of the world this Christmas?
Joan Kelley is a facilitator and teacher using the Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story, a visual workbook for small groups, mentoring relationships, workshops, retreats, classes, between spiritual friends, or individually to re-discover the storyline of the life they are authoring with God. More information is available at www.onelifemaps.com. Joan writes a daily blog at www.caringbridge.org/visit/willkelley.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Stop and Think About It
By Joan Kelley
Related to the Life-Giving Rhythms & Reviewing My Days maps from Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story by Sibyl Towner and Sharon Swing.
Have you stopped before you start this holiday season?
My eight year old son, Mitchell, and I were reading a book before bed the other night. It was a silly mystery book called Jigsaw Jones. We ran into this line in the story, “The whole family was piled tightly into the car, like a hippopotamus wearing a Speedo bathing suit.” Mitchell giggled and I did too (then I wondered did I know what a Speedo was when I was 8?) He then said, “stop...let’s think about that one.” He closed his eyes tightly for about 3 seconds as he sat very still and then rolled over with an even bigger belly laugh that could be heard throughout the whole house. I loved how he just stopped life for a moment to “think about it” and then he fully engaged in a well thought out uproarious laugh.
I think this is perhaps how we are supposed to be living – a little more in the moment, a little more intentional, a little more spontaneous, a little more silliness. I wonder if this is how God wants us to enter this season of Advent – to stop and think about it. Can we think about the coming of the Christ child with the delight and wonder of an extraverted eight year old boy? Are you willing to take 3 seconds or maybe 3 minutes and do that right now?
Join us in the next few weeks of Advent as we “stop and think about it.”
QUESTION:
What are you doing to prepare yourself to “stop and think about” the Christmas story this season with new found delight and wonder?
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
“This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written: Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” --Mark 1:1-3
Joan Kelley is a facilitator and teacher using the Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story, a visual workbook for small groups, mentoring relationships, workshops, retreats, classes, between spiritual friends, or individually to re-discover the storyline of the life they are authoring with God. More information is available at www.onelifemaps.com. Joan writes a daily blog at www.caringbridge.org/visit/willkelley.
Related to the Life-Giving Rhythms & Reviewing My Days maps from Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story by Sibyl Towner and Sharon Swing.
Have you stopped before you start this holiday season?
My eight year old son, Mitchell, and I were reading a book before bed the other night. It was a silly mystery book called Jigsaw Jones. We ran into this line in the story, “The whole family was piled tightly into the car, like a hippopotamus wearing a Speedo bathing suit.” Mitchell giggled and I did too (then I wondered did I know what a Speedo was when I was 8?) He then said, “stop...let’s think about that one.” He closed his eyes tightly for about 3 seconds as he sat very still and then rolled over with an even bigger belly laugh that could be heard throughout the whole house. I loved how he just stopped life for a moment to “think about it” and then he fully engaged in a well thought out uproarious laugh.
I think this is perhaps how we are supposed to be living – a little more in the moment, a little more intentional, a little more spontaneous, a little more silliness. I wonder if this is how God wants us to enter this season of Advent – to stop and think about it. Can we think about the coming of the Christ child with the delight and wonder of an extraverted eight year old boy? Are you willing to take 3 seconds or maybe 3 minutes and do that right now?
Join us in the next few weeks of Advent as we “stop and think about it.”
QUESTION:
What are you doing to prepare yourself to “stop and think about” the Christmas story this season with new found delight and wonder?
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
“This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written: Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” --Mark 1:1-3
Joan Kelley is a facilitator and teacher using the Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story, a visual workbook for small groups, mentoring relationships, workshops, retreats, classes, between spiritual friends, or individually to re-discover the storyline of the life they are authoring with God. More information is available at www.onelifemaps.com. Joan writes a daily blog at www.caringbridge.org/visit/willkelley.
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