2015

I can't say I'm sad to see this year end. It's been a ride. It started in Michigan, and as usual ends in Michigan. I love that part. But then the start quickly morphed into a nightmare back in January. Bedrest for a nonexistent ailment. Pulmonary embolism. Blood clots in both legs. Gallstone the size of a diamond I'll never wear. Kidney issues. Liver issues. Autoimmune issues. Doctors appointments. Emergency rooms. Being taken care of. Being sick.

It was just a lot.

There were moments when I was sure I wasn't gonna make it. Like when I was in the heart wing of a hospital I'd never even heard of before, two nurses hovering over me, wondering why the machines were going off and my temperature was too high.

There were also moments that I long to relive over and over. Floating in the waves at Waikiki Beach. Sitting around the campfire with my family. Dancing with my dad. Laughing with my sister. Surprising my mom with my learning to knit.

It wasn't a bad year. It just wasn't all that great. But it had it's moments.

This Christmas season spent in the Mitten has been wonderful. Lots of family and friends and parties and dinners. Books read. Puzzles put together. Presents opened. Movies watched. It'll go on for another week. I love that.

But the rest? We'll just chalk that up to the year being done and we'll pack it up and maybe let the sensations dull a bit.

I am positive the new year will be better. I am positive it holds many wonderful, exciting new adventures, opportunities and experiences. I have to believe that or there's no reason to get out of bed tomorrow morning.

So here's to making it out of 2015 alive! And to starting 2016 anew!

Guest blogger! Angela...

Angela's devotion for our church's Advent Devotion:

Philippians 4:4-9

”Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
 
The holiday season is a lot about lists, at least in my family. Lists of people to buy presents for, lists of people to see, lists of food to buy and make, lists of parties to attend, lists of lists to write. Ok, that last one isn’t true, but it feels like it. The holidays are stressful and at times, exhausting. I wonder what God thinks when he looks down and sees us running around looking for the last minute hostess gift. I wonder if he shakes his head and says, “All I want is for them to rejoice in the fact that I came to save them from themselves”.

As you make your to-do lists for the coming weeks, make one extra. Make a list of things to rejoice in, of whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and excellent. There are so many praise worthy things in our lives, at the holidays and every day. We need to spend more time praising the One who gives us the gift of Everlasting life.

Today’s Prayer:
Dear Lord, while we make our lists of important items, we invite you to come: to bring us your peace, the one gift we cannot purchase. Fill our hearts with all the hopes you have dreamed about us forever. We rejoice in your presence in our lives and in our hearts, and we thank you for all our blessings. Amen.

Advent Devotion

Every year Hollywood United Methodist Church does an advent booklet (or advent readings online as they are this year). Today was my day:

Isaiah 40:6-8 
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

Life can seem very lonely, especially life in Los Angeles. ‘Let’s get coffee’ is a phrase often tossed around but seldom played out. Friends come and go, work changes, holidays pass without an invitation or a second thought. So many of us, so far from our childhood homes and families, whether separated by miles or minds, can feel lost. Afraid. Scared. Alone.

And yet? God reminds us that He is with us. Not just today, not just tomorrow, not just on December 25^th but always. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

Christmas in particular can be seen as a time of loneliness. Or as a time to remember that we are never alone. Every carol we hear in the stores, every light we see twinkling in the windows, every silly commercial we see on TV, all of it is a reminder that in reality, we are so far from alone.

We are loved. We are thought about. We are cared for. Not just by the people in our lives but by our Creator. He sent His son to remind us of that. A baby sent to serve as a symbol to the entire world – you and me included – that He loves us. It’s something I’ll try to remember every day of the year.

Prayer for today: 

Lord, thank you for loving us no matter what, from before we were born until we dance with you in heaven. Please help us to remember we are not alone, and never will be, because you promise to love us, to be with us, forever. 
Amen.