Simply Soul Searching
HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
ADVENT HOPE: FROM LANGUISHING TO LINGERING
HOPE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR WAITING
Monday, November 28th
Languishing: to be or live in a state of depression or decreasing vitality; to become dispirited
Lingering: to be slow in parting or quitting something; to move slowly
Advent can be a festive season of waiting with happy expectation for our Christmas celebrations! We enjoy lingering in the tender moments of preparation, as we lovingly prepare our homes or make travel arrangements to gather with loved ones, plan worship celebrations and holiday parties, and anticipate blessing others with gifts of hospitality and generosity.
But Advent can also be a season of waiting with pain, sorrow, or worry. We find ourselves languishing in long and dreary days as we wait for a better outcome, yearn for a moment of comfort, search for a relief from struggle. As we endure these trying times, the usual joys of Advent waiting are set aside.
How might Advent Hope make the difference in our waiting?
The hope we have in Christ can move us from languishing into lingering.
Oh, we might still lament, grieve, rant, anguish. God does not expect us to put on a brave face, pretend all is well, or smile away our sadness. But we are invited to linger in the Advent Hope that was revealed long ago with the birth of Jesus: God in Christ has come to us and remains with us. This Advent Hope is here to comfort us, heal us, and help us. This Advent Hope is hearing our prayers, sustaining our souls, carrying us forward to better days.
The gift of Advent Hope is here for us now; God in Christ still lingers among us. And we can linger with God – in prayer, in silence, in worship, in song. We can linger by lighting a candle, reading a passage, writing our thoughts. We can linger with the hope of Christ tucked in our hearts as we face the day and all that it may bring.
When we are languishing in life, we can linger in Love.
While we wait for Christmas, we can wait with the Advent Hope given to us through the promised presence of Christ, the Hope that will transform our languishing into lingering.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and shield.
Our heart is glad in him
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
(Psalm 33:20-22 NRSVUE)
Definitions found at https://www.merriam-webster.com/
Bible passage found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Photo by Karen
I was also inspired by the article, https://healthyspirituality.org/languishing-and-lingering-lessons for this post.
HOPE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
WHAT IS HOPE?
Sunday, November 27th
(This is the first meditation of Advent: The Difference Between…
Each day this week, we will be focusing on the difference Hope makes in our lives.)
If you have an Advent wreath, you may wish to light the first candle as the candle of HOPE.
We will be including many definitions in our daily reflections this Advent season! As we begin this week of hope, we find that the Merriam Webster online dictionary gives us several definitions of hope to contemplate. These definitions illustrate three different aspects of hope on which we can build our own increasing hope:
The definition of HOPE includes:
~ something desired or hoped for
This is where our hope begins, as our desire for a certain outcome. We are longing for a brighter day, a new beginning, a dream realized, an answer to prayer. Longing is our initial hope.
~ desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment
Our hope then deepens through faith. Our desire, our longing, is buoyed by our understanding that we are beloved, by our expectation that good will come – and by our trust that prayers are fulfilled in God’s good way and time. Expectation is our faithful hope.
~ someone or something on which hopes are centered
Finally, our hope ultimately rests in Christ, in whom we center our hope, and from whom we have received our hope in the first place! God in Christ is both our source and our center of all hope. God in Christ is our confident hope.
~~~~~~~~~~
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:26-28 NRSVUE)
This story is a story for all of us.
The angel is about to tell Mary some incredible, unbelievable news – that she would become the mother of God’s son, Jesus. We can imagine that this news would be both exciting and terrifying for Mary! Perhaps this is the reason the angel prefaces his announcement with “The Lord is with you.” Mary would first need to know that God would be with her in all that was to come, through everything she would face. For every uncertainty, she could be certain of God’s loving, unwavering presence. Mary could place her hope in the certainty of God.
And we can, too.
The Lord is with you. God is with us in all things. We are never alone, never abandoned. In Christ, God has lived our lives, shared our heartaches, faced our fears. God grieves with us, hurts for us, and understands us. And God promises us a brighter day, a happier ending, a new life, and always, a glorious resurrection.
We can place our hope in God with faithful certainty – and find our serenity.
Advent Hope makes the better difference in the living of our days.
Definitions found at https://www.merriam-webster.com/
Bible passage found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Thanks to Kelly Sikkema for her photo: http://Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
GRATITUDE
A THANKSGIVING REFLECTION
Dear Grandpa Bob has always said, “If you are thankful every day, you will have a happy life.” As the years pass, I have found his words to be true and beneficial. Even on my difficult days, if I can seek the hidden gifts, appreciate the deeper gifts, or anticipate the future gifts, I am uplifted and peaceful. We may intend our prayers of thanksgiving to honor and praise God, but when we genuinely thank God for all of life, we are blessing ourselves, too.
Thank you, God…
for every gift
that comes to mind today.
Accept our heartfelt gratitude
in the humble words we say.
Thank you, God…
for all the joys
you’ve given us this year,
for every celebration,
every moment of good cheer.
Thank you, God…
for keeping us
within your tender care,
for closely holding onto us
and the burdens that we bear.
Thank you, God…
for each success
in goals we have pursued,
and that even in our failure
we remain secure in you.
Thank you, God…
for every journey
in which we found a smile
and for your steadfast presence
as we walk each future mile.
Thank you, God…
that through our grief
your tender love is known,
that in those times when we must cry
we do not cry alone.
Thank you, God…
for each new day
and for the gift of living,
for we can see that life itself
comes from your joy in giving.
(Photo by Karen)
ADVENT: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN…
INTRODUCTION
Advent, my favorite season, begins next Sunday, November 27th!
Advent is our time to anticipate the birth of Jesus – and to invite his rebirth within us. In these weeks of waiting, reflecting, and preparing for Christ’s birth, we will look to four gifts that his presence among us has brought: the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love. How will these gifts make a difference in us this season?
I will be offering daily reflections under the theme, Advent: The Difference Between…
Each day, we will consider the difference in meaning of two similar sounding words, and how the gifts of Advent can bring about the better difference in our lives. How might Advent Hope turn our dreading into dreaming? How will Advent Joy move us from finishing to fulfilling? If you love words – and “the Word (who) became flesh and lived among us” (John 1:14) – I hope you will join me for this time of contemplation.
May these four gifts of Advent touch our lives with grace, make a holy difference within us, and most of all, transform us into genuine examples of God’s hope, peace, joy, and love for others.
I wish you every blessing of the season.
~ Karen 🙂
(Our Sunday reflection will be an overview of the gift of each week – Hope, Peace, Joy, or Love – followed by our daily weekday words. Saturday will be a day of rest.)
CHRISTMAS TIMING
I was waiting for my booster vaccine at the pharmacy last week when I heard Christmas music playing throughout the store. My initial go-to reaction was to question, “Already?” But soon a delightful joy came over me. I sat quietly, absorbing the festive music, feeling the joy of the season, and dreaming of the preparations I love to do. When I later went on my way, I thought, “I needed this today.”
Oh, I know that there is a time and a season for everything. I am one who appreciates the quiet reflection, the Advent preparation, the patient restraint before the actual celebration of the Christmas season. I am comforted and steadied by my liturgical tradition of Advent waiting and then Christmas celebrating. For my own soul, the waiting is a treasured practice.
But since my experience at the pharmacy, I am questioning the protests against rushing the season, the assertions about waiting until the proper time to celebrate. I wonder if the focus on rules or reasons or rituals might distract us from the deeper, truer gifts that Christmas brings.
How much joy are we missing – or even rejecting – while we are waiting for the “proper” season?
Perhaps those of us who celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus can keep in mind that Christ is with us for all time (not just from December 25th to January 6th)… that Jesus came so we might experience his peace, hope, joy, and love in every day… that when people are living in the joy of celebration – even in November – the “reason for the season” is there, too… that the early seasonal displays also foster the spirit of giving, the desire to bring joy to others…
and that when we insist everyone should follow our tradition, use our holiday greeting, or adhere to our liturgical timing, we are imposing customs – not exhibiting Christ.
Wouldn’t we best exemplify God’s gracious love if we could honor and uphold all people, respect all diverse celebrations and premature festivities, and humbly keep our own practices and schedules? Wouldn’t our hearts expand if we could release our tendency toward criticism or correction, and instead, emulate the ever-present, welcoming love of Christ? Wouldn’t our world become softer and kinder if we could hold the spirit of the holiday all year long?
And wouldn’t our souls brighten if we could pause from defending our own faith practices or cultural traditions – and freely delight in the joy, hope, peace, and love that we encounter in a variety of beautiful ways?
Love has come for all of us.
Love has come unexpectedly, undeservedly.
Love has come for all time.
We can celebrate that every day!
(Photo by Erica Marsland Huynh on Unsplash Thank you!)
WHY WOULD I DO THAT?
At the start of the new year, I made a resolution to hike the 15.3-mile Hiking Trail at Oak Openings Metropark near Toledo. Jim and I began working toward that goal, increasing our miles and trying more difficult terrains throughout the summer. But as the months passed, I realized that coordinating the logistics of good weather, available weekends, and travel time might not be easy. Still determined to hike the fifteen miles, I mapped out a local route that I could do on any day with good weather, an open schedule, and a ready spirit.
Last week, that day came! I hiked the fifteen miles in about six hours. I circled our neighborhood, ventured down the city streets to the park, hiked the park trail, and returned home, weary but so very happy!
The next day I shared the story of my accomplishment with my mom. She responded with all the wisdom of her 97 years: “Why would you do that?”
Her question inspired additional reflections on the purpose for my journey…
My hike was part of a spiritual pilgrimage. For several months, I have been walking more prayerfully and attentively to discern how and where my spiritual community is to be found (I may write about my pilgrimage in future posts). On this recent hike, I prayed for our community and for friends who came to mind; I walked a mile for a dear one who recently passed from cancer; I watched and listened for insights from God about how to live a life of faith in these days without a church home.
But I also pursued my resolution simply for the joy of the challenge.
During an interview in the podcast, Sinner Saint Sister (JOY, episode 74), Kathryn Whitaker recalled a memorable message she had heard in a recent mass. Father Greg had said, “Great stories are not written about easy things.” Kathryn added, “Some of the best stories in the Bible, in our lives, are written about challenges. We are a people who yearn to be challenged.”
Life seems to “oblige” this yearning by giving us challenges we never expected or wanted, doesn’t it? We often do not get to choose our challenges.
But in the times when life is going fairly smoothly, when I feel myself becoming stagnant or complacent, my spirit is uplifted when I set new goals that will motivate and challenge me. My purpose is clarified, my determination is renewed. There is joy in the anticipation. And there is such a sense of gratitude, relief, and accomplishment when those goals are reached!
But there’s more.
I hope…
…that the practice of setting new and challenging goals will prepare me for other greater, perhaps holier challenges that come from beyond myself
…that I recognize how much I need God in every challenge – those I set for myself and those I do not choose
…that every challenge increases my faith and trust as God continues to lead, guide, and uphold me all the way
…that every experience brings a tangible awareness of the nearness of God
…that I find more of God revealed within me each time I answer the question, “Why would I do that?”
And I hope the same for you.
(Photos by Karen on her pilgrimage hike)
I WANT TO AGE LIKE AUTUMN
The trees have transformed
from their shimmering radiance of yellows and reds
into deep, mellow shades of gold, copper, burgundy, and brown.
Their subtle hues convey a rich, sage wisdom
found in the liminal space
between a glorious, colorful celebration
and a quiet, dignified surrender.
The trees, each with a bold and dramatic beauty
that once captured our attention,
now unite and blend together
to offer a lovely backdrop for the day.
I want to age like autumn.
The season beckons us
to exchange sparkling, refreshing glasses
of icy drinks and bubbly beverages
for comforting, soothing mugs
of hot chocolate, sweet cider, spiced tea.
The season relieves us
from the need to cool ourselves in the heat of the day
and invites us
to warm ourselves in the living of these days,
to slow our pace in the ritual of the drinking.
The season compels us
to bundle up and snuggle more;
storing tanks and tees, shorts and sandals,
donning sweaters and socks, caps and coats,
wrapping ourselves in the warmth of love,
the companionship of others.
I want to age like autumn.
As the dawns and the dusks draw closer together
the daylight hours become more precious, significant.
The days of my life seem to do the same
and I want to savor, treasure, cherish… remember.
Oh yes, I can sense the approaching winter
but for today, I simply hope
to linger in the golden light,
to breathe in the crisp, cool air,
to delight in the abundant harvest,
and to welcome the insight of the season.
I want to age like autumn.
(Photos by Karen, late October 2022)
AUTUMN REFLECTIONS: GLORIES
GLORIES
Thank you for the glories…
the brilliant, bright array
of golden autumn color
on this October day.
Thank you for the glories…
found in this wondrous view
but all of autumn at its peak
gives just a glimpse of you.
Thank you for the glories…
in the tiny blessings, too –
those simple, sacred moments
when surprising joy breaks through.
Thank you for the glories…
let your presence guide our gaze
that we may find the extra
in our ordinary days.
This is the last picture and poem of the Autumn Reflections series. Thank you for visiting!
(Photo by Karen)
AUTUMN REFLECTIONS: GATHERINGS
GATHERINGS
Thank you for the gatherings…
such as the leaves that fall
to join the brave but lonely one
who was the first to fall.
Thank you for the gatherings…
of leaves raked into piles
for children to fall into
with their delightful smiles.
Thank you for the gatherings…
for, like leaves of every kind
we too, can join together –
true humanity to find.
Thank you for the gatherings…
leaves surrender from above,
inviting us to trust, release,
and cover the world in love.
Thank you for the gatherings…
may we expand community
’til we unite in grateful joy
for all eternity.
(This is the fifth of my series, Autumn Reflections, using pictures and poems. Photos by Karen)
AUTUMN REFLECTIONS: GREENINGS
GREENINGS
Thank you for the greenings…
for as leaves begin to fall
there is new life still appearing
to inspire and to call.
Thank you for the greenings…
the invitations to believe
that in every season of the year
new life can be received.
Thank you for the greenings…
they promise us that you
will give us opportunities
to always start anew.
Thank you for the greenings…
you delight and still surprise;
just when our dreams are fading
new sprouts begin to rise.
(This is the fourth of a series of Autumn Reflections using pictures and poems. Photo by Karen.)
Simply Soul Searching 