My Christmas preparation has not gone as planned this year. I am normally completely finished Christmas shopping by now, all presents wrapped and under the tree and Christmas cards mailed. Well, not this year. John William has been home sick from school with pneumonia for two weeks now. I feel very blessed to be able to stay home with him when he is sick. However, because of this particularly busy time of year, I started to feel quite panicky. The huge list of things I needed to do to get ready for Christmas was weighing heavy on my shoulders. I could feel the anxiety begin to creep its way in.
Then, Sunday evening, my mom was able to keep John William so that the rest of us could go to Life Teen mass. Our priest stated a catchy rhyme about Advent, “Pray, Wait, Anticipate.”
I then realized I was looking at it all wrong. John William being home sick for two weeks was not putting me behind, but in fact was putting me EXACTLY where I needed to be this Advent season. Shifting my perspective to a different type of preparation. Causing me to slow down. Breathe. Be still. Rest. Snuggle. Soak in my family. Watch Christmas movies. Read my Advent devotional. Sit quietly in prayer. Admire all my Christmas decorations and the warmth and beauty they bring to our home. To take the time to enjoy the little things that might otherwise go unnoticed. To treasure quiet moments that were not focused around the commercial side of Christmas, but rather on the true meaning. Preparing room in our hearts for the birth of our Saviour.
Will everything get done? Of course it will. And if it does not, then so be it. Christmas will come anyway. “Fahoo fores dahoo dores welcome Christmas bring your light.” (name that movie)
So instead of being frazzled and stressed, I am calm. Focused. Full of love. Full of joy. Full of peace. Full of hope. “My Deliverer is coming, my Deliverer is standing by.”
This Advent season, amidst all the hustle and bustle, make sure you take the time to pray, wait, anticipate.
Make sure you Ready the Way.
A Life of Grace in Threes 
Sandra Boyd
Yes – Be Still and know that I AM God. Psalm 46:10
Sandra
Be still and know that I AM GOD. Psalm 46:10
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Susie Murray
Sweet Jen… I’m so sorry JW has been sick for 2 weeks. What a wonderful job you’ve done turning your anxiety into prayer… so very beautiful. Sorry we didn’t chat at mass on Sunday, we’ve been struggling with some news and would love prayers. Here’s the note we sent to family last week.
It is with great joy that we share Daniel and Marie’s next baby is going to be…..another girl !! We are so excited, especially Miss June. During their sonogram a few concerns developed and we need your help storming heaven with our prayers. Our next granddaughter has been diagnosed with hypo plastic left heart, which is a rare and critical heart condition and the same one that our daughter Lindsay Marie died from 23 years ago. Of course, there have been huge strides in research and there are many survivors now with this disease after multiple surgeries. Our prayers now will be for a MIRACLE – a healthy heart for this precious girl by delivery. Daniel and Marie have chosen to name her Zelie Grace and have asked to pray to Saints Zelie and Louis Martin, St Therese of Liseux, St John of God and our very own St Lindsay Marie.
We know God can work miracles and we trust in the healing power of Jesus!!
Thank you and God bless you, susie and jim
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Pam
Amen, my precious.
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