Wonderings and Wanderings

The words we say and the things we do.  They're out there.  And we can't reel them back in.   I can edit the words I say here.  I like that about writing.  It feels less permanent. And I DO edit from time to time.

While blogging can be revealing, one has some control over the content. Does that just paint the picture I want you to see?

The other day I felt convicted that the things I do, must be consistent with the words I say.   Or else, I am just an clanging cymbal.  Pious words, with nothing to back them up.  Claims with no substance.

I had some reservations about my previous post; whether I wanted the world to read it, and then call me on it.  

Things happen.  They always happen.   Small group happens.   Work happens.  Coffee happens.  Creating and crafting happens.   These are all good things.  Fun things.  I LOVE fun things.   It's easy to give all in those situations.  

But what about the "other stuff".   You know....unpleasant situations, hurtful words, unkindness, criticism, cynicism, tears....am I ready to give it all then too? There are people around us who watch and listen. They hear my words, and see my wanderings.

I wonder where I wander sometimes.  I think that how we react to the "other stuff" probably has a great impact on fellow wanderers.   And then again, maybe no one notices at all.  

Still.  At the end of the day...there is hope, love, and forgiveness, and the greatest of these is Love.    I'm so glad.  

Giving It All

I think giving means different things to different people.   Giving involves more than just our money.  It is also giving of ourselves, our time, our gifts.  Does that change the context of giving?

I have more time, gifts, and self at my disposal than I do money.    And I love to give. I'm getting better at it again. Sometimes you have to let go of some stuff before you can give things away.   Complicated.  Yet so simple.

Last year, my blog was fairly quiet, there wasn't a lot of giving going on. Not a lot of overflow.  But I'm ready again.

I'm excited about a brand new year. I wonder about the adventures that are in store, the plans that God has. The people He will put on my path. The paths we will wander together, and yet also the ones I will  explore on my own.

A year, to me, is like a wonderful field covered with snow. A clean slate. No footprints. Does it make you want to tiptoe around the edges and not cover the landscape with marks?  Or does it make you want to charge out of the gate and make snow angels? 

I wonder what the field of this past year would like?   Covered with tracks I'm sure....lots of loops to retrace steps for "do-overs"...but always two sets of footprints beside each other, because I never walked alone. 

When All That Glitters is Pure Gold

I love the process of preparing for Advent.   At our church Advent preparations involved readying the sanctuary and fellowship spaces for Christmas, one week at a time, by the worship visuals team.

Decorations came out of storage and that meant lights and glitter. LOTS of glitter.  Everywhere. I love it!  I think it's awesome. It does not want to be vacuumed up. I'm okay with that.  

The other time glitter found its way into the carpet at our church is when our girls group, the GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour used to meet.  I love it that there was evidence that our girls were in the building meeting their Saviour!!

Isn't life just like that sometimes?

The glitter on the carpet this month is evidence that we have prepared to celebrate His birth with our congregation. Ordinary carpet. Ordinary people. The hymn says, "Let every heart prepare Him room." Can the world tell that I've "prepared Him room"?  Does it show on the outside? Does it last past Christmas? We are a resurrection people but Lent and Easter still seem so far away. Does the regular wear and tear of life remove my shine? By Easter....months of vacuuming will have taken most of the glitter out of the carpet again.

It IS good to, consciously, go through this preparation each year during Advent.  To make room and bask in the presence of THE Light of the world. To be filled with, and changed for, comfort, joy, love, peace, and hope.  There is more to it than glitter that falls off an ornament, it's a reflection of gratitude.  We are not ordinary to God, we are valuable and precious.  So precious that He gave the dearest Gift.  Extraordinary in that we carry His image, His reflection.

So it's good to stand still.  Not just sing a carol in passing, but actually stop and think about it.  The preparing bringing with it gratitude and hope that clings...a reminder of the most precious Gift of all: a Saviour, Redeemer, Strong Defender, and Prince of Peace.  To remember that I have 10,000 reasons for my heart to sing. Let me be singing when the evening comes...even when it's hard.

I love things that remind me to remember!

Even when I vacuum!