Matthew 6:31-33 (The Message)
If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
"The French author Simone Weil writes in her notebook: "Waiting patiently in expectation is the foundation of the spiritual life." Without patience our expectation degenerates into wishful thinking. Patience comes from the word "patior" which means "to suffer."...What seems a hindrance becomes a way; what seems an obstacle becomes a door; what seems a misfit becomes a cornerstone." Henri JM Nouwen, Out of Solitude
It's always kind of freaky when God speaks right into my world. As little as 12 hours ago, I was writing in my journal about what I 'wished.' My wishes primarily run along the lines of comfort, happiness, laughter. With today's light of day, I see the wisdom in being patient. Maybe those things I wish for will be replaced by deeper realities - contentment, joy, hope.
I want to be an active person of patience. Advent Action: Prepare the way of Christmas by making an Advent calendar of proposed contributions of service to others or positive changes in your own spiritual life. Remember to leave room for God's input.
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