Stillness

I don’t think it is an accident that this season of waiting in my life is aligning with the season of Lent. It is a reminder to practice trust, faithfulness, and humility. It is a reminder that I need to work for what I want but that I am not the one in control. It is a reminder to enjoy the little things along the way, to be still, and to pay attention. These built in seasons of waiting are necessary for growth. Growth in strength and relationship and in faith. So I will keep working and waiting. Keep trusting and obeying. Keep enjoying the little things and soaking in this season of life.

“You’re like a jar of river water, all shaken up, and what you need is to sit still long enough so the sediment can settle and the water can become clear.” – Ruth Hayley Barton

Enjoying the wait

In this time of bustle and hurry, I have been playing this Advent Affirmation we were introduced to at church on repeat. It is a great reminder to slow down and enjoy the wait. To enjoy the small things, the everyday things, the ordinary things. It is a reminder to slow down and remember why we are here and who we are. It is a reminder to have patience, to listen, and to pray. Not just now in this season of waiting, but all year long.

Advent Affirmation:

We believe in God the Father, creator of heaven and earth.
The one who is full of patience,
who is not afraid of silence,
who does not need to fill each moment with activity and noise.
The one who is beyond bluster and flurry,
and who does not jostle for attention.

We believe in God the Son, Savior of creation,
who slipped into Bethlehem one night, mostly unnoticed,
who lived thirty years without headlines or hurry,
who frequently took time alone with his patient Father,
who waited for the right time to become the suffering servant,
who stood quietly before the noise of his accusers,
whose silence overpowered their words,
who died, then rose again on a quiet Sunday morning.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens, empowers, renews and refreshes,
sometimes arriving with obvious power,
sometimes with the quiet breath of a whisper.

We believe in one God
who patiently waits for us,
and who longs for us to do the same.

Dave Hopwood, Engage Worship

A Prayer for Confronting Fear

Heavenly Father, 

When I feel crushed by my own worries,

Lift my mind and help me to see the truth.

When fear grips me tight and I feel I cannot move, 

Free my heart and help me to take things one step at a time.

When I can’t express the turmoil inside, 

Calm me with Your quiet words of love.

I choose to trust in You, each day, each hour, each moment of my life.

I know deep down that I in Your grace, forgiven, restored by Your sacrifice, You have set me free.

Amen.

~ Unknown

How was your day? What did you do?

Are you met with grunts after school when you ask what did you do today? I have been lately. I don’t know whether it is because I no longer have the little girls in this photo, they are all grown up and in the teenage years…but since I have been asking different questions I have been move beyond the “fine” and “nothing” answers. I have also been starting the conversation with an anecdote from my day. Here are a few of my favorite conversation-starters:

  1. Tell me about the best part of your day.
  2. What was the hardest thing you had to do today?
  3. Did any of your classmates do anything funny?
  4. Tell me about what you read in class.
  5. Who did you play with today? What did you play?
  6. Do you think math [or any subject] is too easy or too hard?
  7. What’s the biggest difference between this year and last year?
  8. What rules are different at school than our rules at home? Do you think they’re fair?
  9. Who did you sit with at lunch?
  10. Can you show me something you did today?