Distracted.
The weekend has worn me out, along with the three-day-old headache. Mondays following a travel hockey weekend always feel distracted. The need to get my footing back in line with the normal routine.
December is not normal, though.
December is laced with wonder, alongside the stress of holiday preparations. They seem to compete through the month. It is difficult to maintain imagination and wonder when you are stressing about holiday events, food planning and parties. These things which should add to our wonder sometimes, well, wear us out.
So. Advent.
Yep, again, the season of Advent tries to quietly draw us in to something different. Something more centered in peace and allowing the space to as fully as possible grasp the reality that God is with us.
The holiday season of culture is filled with noise. There is delight and fun, but oh my soul is it noisy.
Looking outside the sky is grey today and there is a stillness that is trying to get my attention. Trying to get through the distractions and settle my soul in to listen.
Advent does not yell and force our attention. We have to be quiet enough to listen and pay attention.
That is difficult on Monday mornings with pounding headaches and dirty dishes, running out the door to the next appointment. Still, even there…there is space for quiet. For imagination. For Advent.
Stretch a little today. Stop the noise and turn your attention to the need we have for a savior. The need we have for redemption and rescue. Turn your heart toward what Mary might have been thinking and experiencing. Turn your heart toward the wonder of Advent.
“A Widening of the Imagination
The Small Rain 