Be Still

As we enter into the season of Advent,

This slow walk to Bethlehem where a brilliant star will soon appear over a lowly little manger pointing us to the greatest gift ever given,

I want these words to continue to resonate in my heart:

Be still . . .

Be still . . .

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him.  

(Psalm 37:7)

Beautiful words ~ ancient and true ~ and I pray they will sink in deep --- so very deep.

How I long to be still this year and wait patiently for His coming.

And I will try to be still, but inside my heart there’s an increasing angst as I’m reminded that Christmastime can be so very loud.

The world will constantly tell me to shop, buy, wrap, add lights and bows and garland and tinsel, to bake sweet treats, and make the first 25 days in December sparkle like the prettiest things I can find on Pinterest.

Sadly, it can be a convincing voice, but I hope for this year to be different.

I pray that I will not give ear to this beckoning call to chaos, but will allow the sacred call to stillness to overwhelm me instead.

As I wrestle with this inner struggle, (that I feel guilty about having at all), I’m reminded of the story of Mary and Martha of Bethany, found in Luke chapter 10.

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As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, 

he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 

She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. 

She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me 

to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, 

“you are worried and upset about many things, 

but few things are needed—or indeed only one. 

Mary has chosen what is better, 

and it will not be taken away from her.”

(Luke 10:38-42)

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On this day after Thanksgiving, 

The biggest, craziest shopping day of the year, 

I did choose to be still. 

I did not leave my house at all, but took time to sit in quiet devotion, to read His word and listen to His voice, and I did not worry one bit about all of the preparations.

But this is just one day. 

There are many more days to come before I’ll be singing Silent Night by candlelight at Christmas Eve service, and Christmas morning is sure to arrive as well, when I do plan to have gifts to give my family and a lighted Christmas tree to place those gifts beneath.

Honestly, I know there will be times from now until then when I will be much like Martha, “distracted by all of the preparations”, and surely there will be instances when I’m, “worried and upset about many things”, but I pray I will still find many moments to be like Mary.

To choose the one thing that is needed.

Sitting still at the feet of Jesus and waiting patiently for Him.

For that alone is the one thing that can truly satisfy.

And it will never be taken away.

My Ever Hope

No matter the dark days that may lay ahead,

there is a Light shining ever-bright, ever-true.

A Light that will guide my path.

A Light that warms me from the inside-out.

A Light that can never be extinguished.

Because God, 

who is the source of that Light ~

Always is,

Always was,

Always will be.

And He is living in me.

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He is my Ever Hope who I fall into again and again.

And forever I am caught in the

unending glory of His Love.

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The quote in the photo above is from a wonderful book which 

I highly recommend:

Longing For More: Daily Reflections 

for Finding God in the Rhythms of Life.

by: Timothy Willard

If your heart longs for beauty and a closer walk with the God who created it all,

you'll want to hold this book in your hands 

and let the words Tim has written

spill all over your heart.

Thank-full --- A Family Tribute

It was a grey October day, the day you left us.

Gentle rain was falling in short little bursts, much like our tears that fell with each wave of sorrow, knowing that soon you would be gone.  

As we made the short drive from our home all four of us sat mostly silent, staring far off through the window, holding our breath, holding each other’s hands, holding you so close in our hearts.

Just moments before we had each lifted you, held you tight to our chests, whispered our love into your ears, kissed your nose, and your sweet little head --- your soft little head that you could barely lift anymore. 

Yes, sweet-one, you were so weak and tired --- it was time to let you go.

For 16 years you showed us unconditional love --- such a gift you were to us and for that we are forever grateful.

We are thankful that you were ours to have and to hold for all of those years.

Thankful for each snuggle and kiss.

Thankful for the joy you brought to our family and for the joy you showed each time one of us walked through the door.

Thankful for how you loved to play and how much you could make us laugh.

Thankful that you were part of our world, and that really, we were your whole world.

Thankful can seem like a small word sometimes, not quite big enough to convey the depth of gratitude, but where words fail, hearts feel, and because of you, our hearts are full. . .

Thank-FULL.

Madison Brooklyn Black

"Maddie"

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I’m linking up this post in a blog circle with a wonderful group of friends. 

Our theme this month is “Giving Thanks”.  

‘Tis the season to give thanks and I am ever grateful for each one of these 

brave and beautiful people and how they have blessed my life.

Please click each link below as they get added to visit their blogs. 

I know you will be blessed by all of their thoughtful words 

and beautiful photographs.

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Marty at: What Marty Sees
Connie at: Live, Love, Laugh, Hope