What God Can Do in a Decade

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I really like  "Timehop" and the "On this Day" apps.  It's always entertaining and sometimes surprising to see a snapshot of what I was up to several years ago.

One day I was scrolling through those memories and it occurred to me that a lot has happened over the past 10 years.  If you had told me at 19 years old that over the next decade I would travel to two other countries, live abroad for a year, get a job in Southwest Kansas, teach Theology of the Body in English and Spanish, marry a man I met on the internet, meet the Pope, earn a Masters degree in Theology, and then have a baby.... I probably would have thought you were insane.

There's just no way I would have been able to process all of that.

19 was a dark time for me.  I was getting ready to go into my sophomore year of college, I was living at home, my Mom was dealing with a debilitating illness (which was hard on the whole family), and I was also struggling through some serious addictions and pain of my own.

At 19, I thought my brokenness was only going to get more broken.  Sure, there were good days.  But I was hurting, and I was looking for happiness, love, and peace in all the wrong places.  What I didn't realize at the time was that while I thought my wounds were only getting larger, God was already at work doing some major heart surgery.

When I look back at the last decade as a whole, I can't help but see how God laid a foundation over the years, and how each step had an influence on the next. 

I went from studying Italian to Spanish, which led to a study abroad adventure in Costa Rica.  That experienced inspired me to want to serve as a missioner in Mexico for a year after graduation, which led to a job in Texas.  The highlight of that year in Texas was being exposed to Theology of the Body on an even deeper level and meeting my husband.  That new found love of TOB led to a job in Southwest Kansas, where I've been for almost 5 years.  Being in Dodge City connected me and my husband to a MA Theology program, which is how we ended up in Rome with Pope Francis over our honeymoon.  And our graduation present?  Baby Johnston :)

Of course, those are just the major highlights, but I know that there were even more moments and experiences that God used to draw me closer to Himself over the years. 

Now here I am at 29... a married mother in ministry. 

God used some of the darkest, most challenging, and most inspiring experiences lead me to where I am now.  I'm still growing, I'm still in formation, and God is still faithful, even when I'm at my worst.

There's a song by Gungor called "Beautiful Things".  The entire song moves me.  The beginning of the first verse goes:

All this pain,
I wonder if I'll ever find my way,
I wonder if this life could really change at all.

Then refrain and bridge articulate exactly what comes to mind when I reflect on the last decade:

You make beautiful things... out of the dust. 
You make beautiful things...out of us.  
You make me new, you are making me new.

God's plan for our lives is more incredible than anything we can imagine for ourselves.  If I've learned anything over the past decade, it's that God will make something beautiful out of our brokenness, but we have to let Him into it. 

Sometimes it is really difficult to see the "bigger picture", and it is easy to forget that God is at work in each and every moment.  I still struggle with this. 
 

I don't always remember to look at where I am in my journey or actively discern what the next steps might be.  Yes, God can do so much over the years... but am I open to what He is doing in my life right now?  Do I realize that if I'm willing to give God each day, one moment at a time, He can do the impossible?  

Maybe you've experienced a dark moment in your own journey.  Maybe that's where you are right now, and it's hard to see hope or how God could possibly bring healing into the situation.  If I can give any encouragement, it would be to be patient with yourself and be patient with God.  God loves us too much to leave us exactly where we are, and He really can make something beautiful out of the darkest and most broken pieces of ourselves.  

While I may not be dealing with the same things I was ten years ago, I know God is still healing my heart and preparing me for even more adventures that will lead me even further out of the boat.  More than anything I hope that I can continue to learn to give God one moment at a time, and to cling to His promise, "Behold, I make all things new" (Rev 21:5)

be at peace
walk on water
be not afraid

d*

Settling into a New Month and a New Vocation

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There's something very refreshing about flipping the calendar to a new month.  It's one of those little "resets" that we get 12 times a year.

Didn't get everything done I was supposed to do last month?  That's OK.  New Month.

Didn't do as well on my personal or spiritual goals the last few weeks?  That's OK.  New Month.

Of course, that refreshing new month feeling quickly turns into What do you mean the month's half over?! panic if I don't pay attention.  But for the most part a new month means "Deep Breath. Let's start again."

So here we are in November. 

At the beginning of every month I usually take some time to figure out my major goals, projects, tasks, etc. for work and at home, and try to get a sense of what my schedule will be like for the next 4+ weeks.  This month is no exception, and it turns out I've got plenty to keep me busy between now and Christmas... and then life slows down for a moment while I finish making this baby. 

But in the midst of goal setting and calendar sorting, I'm also finding myself trying to balance the busyness of the month and just enjoying the moment.  Yes, there are classes to teach, presentations to give, paperwork to complete, and plenty of unscheduled excitement that ministry provides on a daily basis.  Yet as I slip into the third-trimester of this pregnancy, I'm becoming more aware that I need to just enjoy the day, the week, the month, and not worry so much about the things to come.

And trust me, I tend to lean towards the worrier sometimes.  I know for a fact that there's plenty of things for me to potentially worry about.  Like some of the presentations I'm giving over the next two months, getting things ready at my office before I head out for maternity leave, preparing the house for Baby J...

...OR even just the reality that we're having a baby... This little person is making his/her grand appearance in about 13 weeks and I have no idea what to expect.  That's a little overwhelming sometimes. 

So I have a choice.

I can spend the next 13 weeks worrying over details at work, freaking out over the fact that I really don't know what life will be like when Baby J arrives, plus a million other things I haven't even thought to about yet....

OR I can enjoy this moment. This day.  This week.  This month.

Because things will get done, plans will be made, and this baby will arrive all in the proper time.

Plus, let's face it.  Life is going to be a lot different come the end of January or beginning of February.  Becoming a Mom ain't no small thing!  This vocation is taking on a whole new level of "Jesus I Trust in You!" and that's exciting!

But I need to be at peace.

I need to rest in the moment and allow God to continue working on my heart and soul.

Yes, there are details to sort through.  There's work to be done in preparation for being away from the office, and there's practical "nesting" like things that I need to start doing at home.  There's probably some books I should be reading about childbirth (started one. it was terrifying.), and I know I need to make time for the breastfeeding and birthing classes.

Still, with each week and each new month I know the ultimate goal is simply to be at peace and to rest in the moment with God.  

There's no amount of reading or specific number of classes that will perfectly prepare me for the months ahead.  One of the best things I can do for myself, my husband, and our baby is to strive to allow God to form me into the woman He wants me to be.  That won't happen with "to-do lists" or even the perfect birth plan.  

I need to be at peace.  I need to listen.  I need to trust. And I need to focus on Christ.

Surely, motherhood will be one of the best "life out of the boat" experiences to date!

be at peace
walk on water
be not afraid

d*

How the One Question You Aren't Supposed to Ask Helped My Spiritual Life

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It was about mid-March when I met with a young Spanish speaking couple preparing to baptize their son.  I was really excited to meet with them because they had just finished marriage preparation the year before, and now it was time to baptize their newborn.  Nothing makes my day like seeing one of our newlyweds living their vocation!  :)

Towards the end of our meeting the husband asked me, "I have a question for you, and I hope I don't offend....¿Estás esperando?"  It took me an extra second to understand what he said because Esperar = to wait for, to hope for, and it's actually one of my most favorite Spanish words.  

But then I realized he was asking me THAT question: 

"Are you expecting?"   

I laughed and said I didn't know.  I told them that my husband and I were really praying about having a baby, and that we'd find out in the next few days if we were pregnant or not.

What made this man's question extra interesting was that right before our meeting I had spent some time in the adoration chapel specifically praying about our desire to have a baby.  In my journal I wrote something like, "Lord, you know the desires of my heart.  You know that we've been praying about having a baby and that we are open to becoming parents. No matter what Your will be done, and please help me to be at peace with that."

So when the man asked "  ¿Estás esperando? (Are you expecting)?"  I wasn't really as mortified as I would normally have been.  His wife shook her head in disbelief that he had actually asked THE FORBIDDEN QUESTION, but we laughed and they said that they really hoped I was pregnant or would be soon.  

When they left I laughed again, wondering if maybe this was God's way of giving me an "Annunciation Moment" or some kind of heads up that maybe our prayers had been answered. 

Fast Forward 2 days:  

Definitely not pregnant.  Definitely not laughing.

Suddenly all the humiliation that I would have felt just days before sank in.  Have I gained THAT much weight?  I look awful!  What sort of cruel joke is this Lord?  I cried, I whined, and I pouted.  

At some point during the day the question replayed in my mind:  Estás esperando?  Which literally means:  Are you waiting for?  Are you hoping for?  

God reminded me that during adoration I had specifically said "Your will be done."  And now I needed to follow up on those words of surrender.  The question was not an offensive jab; rather, it was an invitation to trust.

Deanna, are you waiting for Me?  Are you full of hope and trust?  

Scripture tells us over and over again to wait for the Lord, to hope in the Lord, and to trust that God's plans are perfect:

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord!" - Psalm 27:14

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord." - Psalm 130:5-6

And a personal favorite: 

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you..." - Jeremiah 29:11-14

That's when I realized that it didn't matter if I was praying about getting pregnant, or just praying about doing God's will at home,work, and in the world.  God was inviting me to trust in Him, to surrender to Him, to wait for Him.  

And so, the next time I was asked "¿Estás esperando?"  (which was about a month later) I could smile.  Even though I had to answer that I wasn't pregnant, I knew I needed to take a moment to reflect on whether or not I've been waiting, hoping and trusting God the best that I can.   

Today if you were to ask me "¿Estás esperando?"  I'd say that I'm working on it, and really trying to surrender a little more of that trust on a daily basis. 

I'd also tell you, "Si..."  

...about the beginning of February 2015.

P.S. No, we don't know it is a boy. But those shoes were cute :)

Please pray for us :)

be at peace
walk on water
be not afraid

d*

Jesus en ti confio

Let the Light In!

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At the end of February my husband and I moved into our new home.

We went from a dark apartment covered in 1970s shag carpet (complete with carpet in the bathroom and kitchen) to a duplex with a finished basement, and extra bathroom, and a kitchen with wood floors.  We're still renting, but this definitely feels like home sweet home!  

My favorite room in this apartment is the family room because it has so much natural light... 11 windows and a large glass door to the backyard.  From the moment we walk through the front door it feels like light just bursts inside.  There's even a skylight in the kitchen.  Light is everywhere and it makes the place feel a lot more like home.

The Old Apartment

The New Home

I didn't realize how dark our old apartment was until we moved.  And now that we have a space with lots of natural light, I can't imagine living in dark "Old Shaggy" ever again.

There are lots of benefits of letting natural light in.  Not only will it keep our energy bills down (hopefully!) but it also feels better.  Light is warm.  It is comforting.  It can put us in a better mood and can even help us appreciate our surroundings.  Light feels like home.

In the midst of completing our move and preparing for the start of Lent, Isaiah 9:1-2 came to mind:

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;

Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.  

You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing...

I don't know if I'd call "Old Shaggy" the land of gloom... but there's dramatic difference from where we were to where we are now.  Being in an environment filled with light makes us realize just how dark our last home was, and it makes us more grateful for what we have.  

I think the same thing happens to us spiritually.  Sin loves darkness.  Sometimes we don't realize just how dark the darkness within us is until we've allowed the Light of Christ to break through.  In my own life I can recall moments where darkness had been the norm.  And then at some point, maybe when I least expected it, Christ's love and mercy broke through and the Light that entered into my life brought joy and rejoicing.  With God's grace I was able to recognize the darkness that had once existed for what it really was.

Of course, I am human so I continue to make mistakes and fail... but that's where the beauty of the Sacraments, especially Confession and the Eucharist remind me to renew that joy of being in the Light of Christ.

My friend and coworker, David McHugh (Noelle Garcia's husband) made this video for our parish to help us reflect on how Confession helps us to Let the Light In:  

As we step into the Lenten season and think about what we're "giving up" or "doing extra" over the next six weeks, maybe the first thing we need to do is ask how does Christ want to Let the Light into my soul?  What's keeping me from allowing that Light into my life? And once I've allowed Christ's light to pierce the darkness, what happens next?  How will that light make a difference in my personal encounter with the Lord?

I've said before that Lent is not my favorite and yet I realize that this is the time of year where the Holy Spirit really does a number on my heart if I'm open to it.  It's a time of recognizing my weaknesses, but also allowing Christ to transform those things into strengths.  I feel like this year in particular Christ is asking me to let the Light in, so He can make me who I am called to be.  If I can open up my heart even just a tiny bit more, I think I can come to realize just how much I need Christ in my life and how much I want Him to be there.  

When the Light of Christ bursts into our hearts, we realize that it is beautiful.  It is welcoming and it is merciful.  It is where our hearts are at home.   

Lord, this Lent please let the Light into my soul... 

Pierce the darkness, and lead me to you.  Amen.   

be at peace
walk on water
be not afraid

d*

Jesus I Trust in You!

7 Quick Takes #7: Words That Have Shaped Me

After celebrating another year of life last Friday, I thought I would share some of the words that have had a big impact on my journey over the past twenty-something years.

  

--- 1 ---

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."   

Philippians 4:13

From volleyball games, to giving my first speech, and eventually doing crazy things like going to foreign countries by myself and moving to the far off land of Southwest Kansas... this has been my go to verse.  Major props to my Mom for teaching me this passage, and always reminding me of it when I'm going through the crazy times.   

--- 2 ---

"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord. Plans for your welfare, not for woe. Plans to give you a future full of hope."   

Jeremiah 29: 11

An oldie but a goodie.  I first saw this verse in high school, around the time of my knee injury that ended my hopes for playing college volleyball.  It has always been a good verse to go to in times of transition.  From high school into college, from college into mission work, from mission work to Kansas... God not only knows the plans for my life, He knows them well, and they are plans for a future full of hope.  God is so good (all the time!). 

--- 3 ---

"Do not be afraid! Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure. He alone can give full meaning to life. He alone is the center of history. Live by Him!"

Blessed John Paul the Great, pray for us.

This quote ties right in with Jer 29:11.  I love that JPII said "be not afraid" over and over and over again.  I need to hear this as often as possible.  Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure!

--- 4 ---

"God does not ask that we succeed in everything
but that we are faithful."

Blessed Mother Teresa, pray for us

If you work in ministry of any sort, you understand how refreshing these words can be.  I remember when I first started working in full time ministry and just worrying all the time about failing at what God had called me to do.  Heck, I still worry about failing!  But recalling these words reminds me of what my job is about: to be faithful. 

--- 5 ---

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-7

 

Summary: God knows more than you do, so trust him.  Don't just trust him with a little bit of your heart, give him all of it.  Life is a little chaotic?  That's OK, because God will straighten it all out in His perfect timing.  This also reminds me that I need make God a part of every aspect of my life, not just pieces and parts of it.  

--- 6 ---

I think the first time I heard these words it was one of those "Aha!" moments where it clicked:  There's only one of me.  There's no one else in the whole world like me.  And God created me for a particular purpose, something that only I can do.  What an incredible thought!  Each of us has a unique purpose that only we can fulfill, and when God is part of that journey then we really can set the world ablaze.  Mind.blown. 

 

--- 7 ---

Matthew 14:22-33

Peter Walks on Water (1806) by Philipp Otto Runge. 
My husband bought and framed this for me for my office. Best.Present.Ever.

If I have learned anything in my twenty-something years it is that life out of the boat is one of the best adventures when Christ is the focus.

I think all of these "words" can be summed up into one simple phrase: 

Be at peace * Walk on water* Be not afraid

d* 

What are some of the words that have shaped you?

Share in the comments below!   

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Life *In* the Boat

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I've mentioned before that the scripture that best describes my spiritual journey is Matthew 14:22-33, The Walking on the Water.  It seems like God is constantly challenging me to step out of my boat and comfort zone and trust Him with everything.  Hence the name, Life Out of the Boat :)

But Wednesday's Gospel reminded me that sometimes we need to be in the boat before we start jumping out in the wild wind and waves. 

Mark 6:45-52 tells the story of how Jesus comes walking on the sea towards the disciples as they are being tossed about in the boat.  The disciples are frightened, think they see a ghost, and Jesus tells them, "Take courage, it is I! Do not be afraid!"  Jesus gets into the boat with them, and suddenly everything is at peace.  No wind, just calm seas now that he is in the boat.

During the homily, Father reminded us that sometimes we need to invite Christ into our boats.  We need to realize that the peace we are looking for in the midst of chaos and confusion is often found when we ask Christ to be part of our lives in a more concrete way. 

As I thought about this throughout the day I realized that this is where I am in my own "boat adventure" with the Lord.  January is the beginning of my busiest season at work.  It's also the time of year where I'm looking ahead and realizing all of the many things that need to get done.  This year is a little different because I'm also preparing for some big changes in the months to come. 

I found out last week that my pastor is being moved to another parish, and that we'll have a new pastor at the beginning of February.  I've gone through pastor changes before, but this is the first time that it impacts me as both a parishioner and a parish employee.  New pastor means a new boss, and likely some change in the life of the parish.  I'm certain that good things are ahead, but it is still challenging.  My current pastor is the one who hired me, and the one who has taught and formed me over these past few years.  He's been an incredible mentor to me, and is the one who has shown me that ministry more than anything else is about serving the needs of the Body of Christ. His announcement about the upcoming move brought on a fair share of tears.  Change is hard, but it is also an indication that God is at work.

In the midst of this time of transition there's a temptation to want to conquer all of these things head on without taking the time to pray about them.  "I CAN HANDLE THIS! Let me out of the boat!  I'm ready!!  BRING ON THE CHANGE!"  But the truth is if we don't take the time to pause and pray before diving out of the boat we can set ourselves up to sink.  

I feel like God is putting on my heart to be still and invite him into the boat.  This is going to be a busy year.  It is going to be a challenging year.  But  I think that 2014 will be yet another opportunity to grow as the woman God created me to be.  Not only will I experience change and challenges at work, but I'm also learning and growing in my vocation as a wife and discerning when I'm called to be a mother.  In all of these things, whether at home or work, I need to make sure I'm resting in the peace of Christ before hopping over the side of the boat to conquer waves on my own.

Peter started to sink because he looked away from Christ and the waves and wind overcame him.  If we don't take the time to look at Christ, particularly in moments of change and transition, we might not realize that God is preparing us for what is ahead by surrounding us with His peace. 

Walking on water is an incredible adventure, but it also requires asking our Lord to be part of the journey. 

Be at peace

Walk on Water 

Be not Afraid

d*

The Pain & Beauty of Humility

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I've never had trouble reciting a prayer until this one: The Litany of Humility. It is the kind that is so good for the soul it makes me cringe.  

It starts off gently:  

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me! 

Me: Oh yes that's nice. Please hear me meek and humble Jesus!

And then it continues:

From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me Jesus.  
Hm... OK Lord I guess I don't need so much of that.  Yes, Lord deliver me from this.

From the desire of being loved, deliver me Jesus.  
Whoa there! Hold up now...

And it only gets harder from there with sentences like:

From the desire of being praised...being preferred to others...approved...  
But wait!  I like affirmation! Heck, I like being liked!

From the fear of being despised...ridiculed...humiliated...  
AH!  But that stuff is painful!

Then the litany switches gears, and just when I didn't think it couldn't get any harder, it does:

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I,  
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be praised and I unnoticed...

That others may be preferred to me in everything...

That others may become holier than I, 
provided that I may become as holy as I should...

By the last sentence there is a small part of me that wonders what the consequences of this prayer will be.  What on earth did I just ask for?!  I like being liked!  I like being praised for doing a good job!  It kills me when I know people are unhappy with me.  Why would I want to embrace a virtue that makes me so uncomfortable?

Of course, the short answer is this:   

Because Christ did.  

 "...He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave... he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross." - Philippians 2:7-8

Though the cross is painful, we also know that it isn't the end of the story.  Humility can be painful, but it can also be beautiful when it is united to Christ.   


There's no doubt in my mind that the reason the Litany of Humility is so challenging for me to pray is because I need it so much.  Humility is hard.  It means embracing a cross that isn't always so fun to carry.  It also means recognizing that I am nothing without Christ, and without Him playing an active role in my life, I can do nothing at all.  

In his December 19th homily Pope Francis said that "Humility is necessary for fruitfulness." He explained that we cannot bear fruit in our lives without God's help and that we must acknowledge that we can do nothing on our own.  He encourages us to pray " ‘Lord, I want to be fruitful.’ I desire that my life should give life, that my faith should be fruitful and go forward and be able to give it to others. Lord, I am sterile, I can’t do it. You can. I am a desert: I can’t do it. You can.”

As someone who works in ministry full-time, this is something I need to pray more often.  It is easy for me to fall into the trap of thinking that I can do everything on my own. "I'll start this program!"  "I'll give this talk!" "I'll do it all!"  And in the middle of running my own show, pride is a comfortable thing to settle into.  Yet, it seems like the work I do is so much more meaningful and impactful when I get out of the way and take the time to ask "God, what are you calling me to do?"  Even my own prayer life and walk with Christ seems more life giving when I stop trying to push my agenda on God.  

I read through St. Josemaria Escriva's 17 Signs of a Lack of Humility and there's no doubt that I need a lot of work.  In this new year I feel like God is calling me to stop asking "What does Deanna want to get done?" and instead make the effort to pray "Your will, not mine, be done" on a daily basis.  And although it's not my favorite prayer, I'm also trying to pray the Litany of Humility at the start of my work day.  These are just small steps that I think could lead to a very interesting and fruitful year! 

Humility will probably never be an "easy" virtue for me to embrace.  The good news is that this is where God's grace kicks in.  By acknowledging our dependence on God, we make more room for him to work in and through our lives.  When we let go of things like the desire of being loved and the fear of being rejected we embrace the cross and the joy of our faith more fully.  

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours 

(even if it hurts).

be at peace
walk on water
be not afraid

d*

The Season of "Espera"

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One of my favorite Spanish words is "esperar", which means to wait for, to hope for.  The older I get the more I appreciate this word.  It reminds me that no matter how difficult the "waiting" might be, there is hope because God's hand is at work.  There is (or at least should be) joy in waiting because God loves us and His plans are perfect. 

But even with this understanding of having great hope,  waiting isn't always easy. Sometimes it's annoying and painful.

I think about the time following my college graduation when I wasn't sure what I was doing.  For a moment it felt like God was being silent, and that was frustrating.  In reality I only had to wait a couple of weeks to hear that I was accepted into a mission work program in Mexico, but the waiting felt like an eternity.  I wanted an answer before graduation and I wanted things to happen on my own timetable.  But God asked me to wait, and it paid off. 

Then there was the stressful time of waiting when I finished up my second year of mission work, and had no idea where God wanted me to go next.  I completed the year in Texas, packed up my car with everything I owned, and moved back in with my parents to await further instruction.  Again, while it seemed like God was being silent f o r e v e r, there were really only about 5 weeks where God just wanted me to be still, to wait, and to trust that His timing was better than my own. 

3 years later I'm still working in my dream job in the most unexpected of places (trust me, Dodge City was not on my radar at all!) and appreciating the fact that God's plans are much better than anything I can come up with on my own. God asked me to wait, and it paid off. 

I have to admit that I am not always "full of hope" while waiting to see where God will lead me next.  Sometimes waiting is accompanied by tears, desperation, and complaining that God isn't moving fast enough.  Yet it seems those are the times when God reminds me of His faithfulness. The waiting has always had meaning and purpose when I remember that God is part of it. 

Waiting is hard.  It is challenging.  Sometimes it hurts.  Sometimes it is stressful.  But when God becomes the focus of our waiting, peace enters the unknown and the uncertainty. 

In a way, that's what Advent is about.  It's a season of waiting, of joyful expectation, of hope.  The world was waiting for a Savior, a King, a Mighty Ruler... and God surprised everyone:

Christ's coming was not only an answer to a season of waiting, but it was also an answer that was so much better than what people were expecting.  God became a tiny baby.  The King of Kings was born in a stable and placed in a manger.  God's perfect plan was so much better than what we could have come up with on our own.  

Advent reminds us of Christ's first coming, but it also reminds us that Christ will come again.  Advent takes us into a season of "espera"... a time of waiting and hoping.  We await the joyful celebration of Christ's birth, and we are also full of hope that Christ will return.  This waiting and hoping gives meaning to our lives, because it tells us that the story doesn't end here.  

Waiting and hoping in the Lord means that we trust Him... We don't know how long we have to wait, we don't know how exactly God's plan will unfold, but when we trust in His promise we know that things will turn out so much better than what we can plan for ourselves.  

Lord, teach us to wait and to hope.  

As we prepare to enter a new year, grant us a sense of peace with where you are leading us.  Help us to abandon all fear and give us the courage to step out of the boat and trust you completely.  Amen. 

be at peace
walk on water
be not afraid

d*