Simply Soul Searching
HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
COMFORT OUR HEARTS WITH PEACE: FURNISH
WEDNESDAY, WEEK TWO: PEACE
Once again, we come to the creative step of preparing our hearts for more of the Peace of Christ. How might we furnish our rooms with peaceful comfort? We may envision more pillows and blankets, mugs of hot cocoa, peaceful music, a fire in the hearth. For today, let’s also consider the qualities that foster peace. What qualities would you like to have in your room?
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Qualities such as kindness, gentleness, and tenderness come to my mind. Then I think of dear Bonnie, a dear friend and spiritual mentor who passed away almost ten years ago. Bonnie was all of these–and she was spirited, generous, humble, and thoughtful as well. When she learned that she would soon be entering her heavenly home, she had one request. She wished to “feather her nest”–the room in which she spent her last days before soaring into heaven–with cards and notes from friends and family. I am certain that she received many notes of love and gratitude, of memories shared and kindnesses remembered, of hopes and promises of eternal peace and joy.
This is what I would like my heart-room to be filled with, too. With kindness and gentleness. With memories and moments. With assurances of eternal peace and joy. With the Peace that comes from being well-loved and in loving well. With the tender compassion of God, both received and shared.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
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May we find new and greater Peace today–within and without–as we reflect, remember, and reshare the kindness and goodness we have received from those who love us, including God in Christ.
Bible verses are NRSVUE, found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Photo by Karen
Simply Soul Searching 
Thank you for your series, Karen. I love advent and use this time each year to dig deep, reflect and reach out for deeper connections to God and serving others (this usually includes cookie baking!) This year has been a bit rough as I’ve struggled with organized religion. Still my faith has not wavered and I stay focused on Jesus’ great commands to love God and one another.
This year, Christmas is unfolding in a profound, surprising way. My dear neighbor had surgery yesterday for colon cancer. At just 45 years old, Amy is a single woman who teaches high school Spanish. She also has struggled with bipolar disorder for many years. She is kind and brave, and I love her so much! She has a grouchy, old, arthritic dog that I’ve been caring for while Amy’s in the hospital. Amy’s mom has reached out to me and kept me in the loop about the care she’ll need after coming home. Being retired allows me all the time in the world to prepare for her homecoming (probably Sunday).
I put up her Christmas tree and decorations. I’m cleaning her home and preparing her space to be peaceful, happy, and conducive to her healing and wellbeing.
I say all this to say that as I rebel and get my panties in a bunch with traditional theology, the message of Jesus remains the same: love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor. Looks like this year, Christmas has come to me as another opportunity to literally love my neighbor. This is what putting Christ in Christmas means to me. I’m going to reflect on your blog as I change Amy’s bedding today, freshen her home, and care for her crabby little dog. Please keep Amy and her family in your prayers.
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Oh MaryEllen, thank you. I am blessed by your gracious words, but even more by your life in this season. Yes, the message of Jesus is truly a simple one, and you are truly living this in your love for your neighbor. Such sadness for her, but such beauty in your acts of kindness and love.
I am grateful for our friendship, for we share a similar “pilgrimage” as I like to name it, as far as our search for a faith community. Bless you so.
And we will be praying for Amy–and you–in these days ahead. What a gift to know that God’s presence journeys with us in this messy, beautiful life. Thank you, my friend.
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