Ready?

Dear Friends in Christ -

Each year, my Advent journey is different. This year, the journey has been very reflective and full of listening - listening to God and listening to those around me. It's been a tough year for many, and we come into this season humbled and chastened by many things beyond our control - family issues, health issues, financial issues.

In the midst of all this, I ask God, "How should we respond? How are we to get through this?" And the answer has been, "Stay with me while you wait."

The first week of Advent, the word that guided my times with God was "silence." The second week, it was "wonder." This week, the word is "ready." As in "are you ready?" As in "get ready."

The collect for yesterday's worship was "Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us . . ." In other words, God, we really want you to come and use your power to do amazing things. But we recognize that we're not totally ready. So would you please use your mercy and grace to help us get ready?

In the midst of all the other preparations, may we remember to offer our hearts to God, so that we're ready to receive the greatest gift - the one God has for us.
Faithfully,
Janet+