Simply Soul Searching
HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
6. AN ADVENT AMONG OTHER THINGS: PEACE BEYOND COMMOTION
Photo by Alex Block on Unsplash
Monday, December 9th
Some of my favorite posts on Instagram are the tender videos that show children coming on stage with their classmates, preparing to sing before a crowded auditorium. A few nervously scan the audience, searching for parents or other loved ones through the noise and commotion as people find their seats. When they finally find their people, their sweet faces light up with an immediate look of relief, and their precious, teary-eyed smiles warm my heart.
This Advent season, we may long for quiet spaces in which to prepare our hearts for Christ, but the commotion around us increases and even overwhelms at times. Traffic becomes heavier, marketplaces become busier and noisier. Our schedules may be filled with holiday parties, religious services, seasonal concerts, or other special events. News headlines and social media posts continue to take our attention. Difficult relationships can bring angst as we gather with family and friends. Extra commitments on top of our regular responsibilities can quickly take up every open space of time.
When we are surrounded by commotion, chaos, or clamor, we can be like the child on the stage; we can turn our focus to the steadfast One who meets our gaze. As we plan and prepare, we can pray to the One we most long to please. Through all the demands and distractions, we can be grateful for the One who is patient and gracious. When we feel overwhelmed with nervous anticipation or self-doubt, we can seek the One who is quietly present for us.
The One who is smiling with love, just waiting to hear us sing.
Simply Soul Searching 
Beautiful post! I absolutely love that last line!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Linda! You brightened my day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Karen. Reading this felt like the practice of meditative breathing. I love the analogy of the children searching for their people, their anchor, their rock, their reminder among a sea of strange faces that they are loved and supported.
Thank you for the reminder, as I navigate through the crowds of strangers, to keep my eyes and heart focused on the “reason for the season “, to be still, take a deep breath and feel the peace in knowing that God’s got my back through this and beyond.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Carol, and now you have added so much more to my words… I love this thought! Thank you for reading, for your friendship, and for your insight.
LikeLike
Your post stuck a chord with me! As a retired K-8 music teacher, one of my fondest memories of this time of year was seeing students search for their people! One of the things that kept me grounded during that busy season was really looking at the kids’ faces as they sang. I saw God in those sweet children as they sang their hearts out! Some faces are forever etched in my memory.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Sandy, it’s nice to know this! I can truly imagine that your vocation not only brought you joy, but that you helped your students experience joy. Thank you. To see God in their faces… bless you.
This weekend we watched our grandsons participate in a Christmas play… the younger one stood still, head down, for quite a while (more stubborn than shy). He brought several smiles!
LikeLiked by 1 person