Every year, we gear up for this huge Christmas celebration. Try as we might to get into Advent and prepare for the rebirth of the Lord in our lives, we all get caught up in the sharing of gifts, the joy of the Season, the worry about who will do or say something to upset the “family celebration”, enjoying the music we have listened to and sung for most of our lives, and trying to figure out how we are going to get it all done, get to Worship, and not lose our sanity.

We have been talking about Gratitude a lot recently.  When I listen to what Jeanne and others say, I wonder if I am always grateful, or am I just thankful.  I know for some, these two things are the same thing, but that is definitely not my understanding.

Often many of us think and/or act as if the place where we find God is the Sanctuary.

How long before the pain that you carry inside becomes more than you can bear?

Hopi Elders say “We are the ones we have been waiting for.”

I enjoy games, but it is real life and my awareness that the Lord is taking me on a journey toward greater successes than I’ll ever have with games, that brings me joy.  I’d rather be caught up in that joy than in any other kind of success.

I was wondering just where my life was going, and maybe if it was going anywhere at all.  

What I know is that it is good for me to pray even when it makes no sense to me.  I need to reach out with thoughts and words even if they feel disconnected with what I am feeling.