God is operative

Dear God, this is Kelley.

I am in turmoil. People like me, those with abusive pasts, often need to keep order in the exterior world so order has more of a chance to be maintained within. The holidays are especially stressful in this regard. The house must be clean. The order of things must be established. The who, the what, the when — all this must be understood.

But it won’t be. It can’t be, and to the degree I allow my peace within to depend upon order without means peace will not only allude me, but I’ll miss You.

A pastor once made fun of Advent. He mocked it. I’m not sure why. Oh, but I need it! I need to be reminded there’s more to our present lives. I need to be shook. I need to recall how You intervened in my early life so prominently. I need to be reminded You are still operative! You who brought me through have not lost one ounce of power or wisdom, love or compassion. You are still HERE.

You are very much still HERE.

Reflection

How can you open yourself to the fact that God is HERE and operative?

Prayer

Dear God, this is a time of year when we are led to believe people are happy and content. Often, however, we’re not. There are worries, hurts, confusion, fears. There are differences, regrets, prejudices. Move us, Lord, to use this time of Advent to bring our angsts to You and lay them down. Dare us to invite You to be operative in our thoughts, our hearts, our actions. What You did for the world in Jesus — this is still in motion, and we are part of the narrative!