Before me

Yesterday afternoon (Sunday), i began to be filled with dread. My time with my family, rest, and days off of work were drawing to a close. I longed to be in the days off more. This morning, the same dread hung over me. And i can’t help but think of my spot here in my living room. You see, we have a memory frame of pictures of Starburst, her paw print and her collar over one window. It is not at eye level, but I’m always aware of it. I miss her. But then to my right, on the couch next to me, is a little life that has brought so much joy to our lives. Luna.

I can gaze longingly on what was in my past or I can look at the life in front of me. Certainly there is nothing wrong with thinking of the past, remembering good things, not at all. The irony to me is that we have just began the season of Advent. The call to look back and remember the birth of Jesus, honor Christ with our pause as well as look to his coming again.

We live in the middle. And the middle requires waiting. It can also be a place of fear and dread because we live in the unknown. Oh gosh, we see this all over our world. Our news builds that anxiety with click worthy posts. Our social media constructs a comparison complex.

When was the last time we were bored? When we have a free moment, we grab our phones and time is filled. The waiting isn’t so bad when we have videos, pictures, games, etc. We do not give room for the quiet and contemplative. And, I’ll be perfectly honest with you…this is not where I saw this post going. Haha.

So here is my challenge for you today. Give yourself a limit on your screens today. Allow yourself to quiet and be bored. Think of God often.

“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless you fail the test. And I hope you will recognize that we do not fail the test. Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong — not that we may appear to pass the test, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear to fail. For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. In fact, we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray that you become fully mature. This is why I am writing these things while absent, that when I am there I will not use severity, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. Finally, brothers, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬-‭11‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Spend some time today examining. Notice the presence of Jesus. Do what is right. Speak the truth. Maybe a time of quiet will reveal any wayward thinking or actions. Take time today. Be encouraged. Be at peace. Give thanks today for the GOD of love and peace.