Sacred Mundane: The Blog

Last week, I was up to my eyeballs in Christmas preparation — Pinterest projects and online shopping and making lists and checking them twice. I felt that nudge of conviction that I was probably getting distracted, a little too caught up in trivialities. Then, wouldn’t you know it — Oma falls and suddenly it was all-hands-on-deck surrounding her, it was daily trips to the hospital, cancelling plans and rearranging schedules and suddenly I could care less what got done and what didn’t. And it was exactly what I needed most. Of course I’m sad for Oma suffering, but I’m so grateful for how it reoriented my heart around what matters. It reminded me of this, from last year. I love how our gracious God works in our lives. Bless you all!

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“Are you ready for an emergency?”

My stomach sank. What was it?   I had been having a low-key, relaxing morning. The night before I’d hosted our Renew ladies’ Christmas party. I was leisurely washing dishes and sweeping up crumbs, putting away platters, and letting the kids linger at their play. It was 9:26am and I was still in my jammies, enjoying the Christmas music floating through the house, relishing the idea that we had nothing planned that day.

Then Jeff called. I don’t know about you, but texting is the norm, so when my man calls, I know I’d better answer!

His first words: “Are you ready for an emergency?” 

I waited, anxious.

“That luncheon is today.” 

Oh no. Oh NO. No no no no no!

Months ago, we’d been asked by a dear local pastor, if we would come together and speak at a Christmas event at their church. We were so honored at the request, and gladly accepted. The invitation had come while we were on our road trip, and we were so excited to serve together in this way, so we mentally made note of it …

… Get that?

We mentally made note of it. 

Now, understand: I speak dozens of times a year, we have a full life, we have lots of things on the calendar. We know how to schedule, people! We do a synch every week to make sure we have all our ducks in a row, make sure I know his stuff and he knows mine. We plan ahead. I’m a planner!

How, oh how, oh how, oh how did I MISS THIS?!!

This was 9:30am and we needed to be there at 11:30am. I had no plan for the kids. No notes. I was still in my JAMMIES, PEOPLE!

How could I have missed this? How could I be so woefully unprepared?  The overwhelming emotion I felt was shame.

Shame at being so unprepared. 

But then, I turned my attention to my Only Hope. The Only One I really have to please. And I poured out my feelings of shame and failure and feeling unprepared, and so clearly I sensed in my heart,

“You aren’t unprepared.”

Suddenly it all tumbled down, the truth, straight into my heart: I was prepared. I realized that every single day, every day when we wake up early, we spend time with the Father in prayer and the Word. Every single day as we abide in Him, commune with Him, fellowship continually with Him.

Isn’t that preparation? 

And the revelation rang so clear and true in my mind:

Being prepared is a matter of the heart. 

The truth is, I could have perfectly-scripted notes and be completely unprepared to speak God’s heart to His people.

I sat down with my Bible. I needed to look no further than today’s journal entry to see a message from God for His people. It was just my own personal study, my heart-wrestlings, the things the Father had been showing me that morn.

Sure, I hadn’t written it to preach, I’d written it to live.

And isn’t that just so much better anyway?

How often have I been “prepared” for something with everything external? How often have I worked to have my ducks in a row, but my heart has been misaligned? 

Being prepared is a matter of the heart.

How often do we think that being “prepared” for Christmas is having all the presents wrapped? Lights hung. Stockings stuffed. Cards sent. House cleaned. Boxes checked off.

How about my heart? 

When Jesus came to earth, there were some who were ready. Prepared. Their hearts had been fixed on the God, patiently waiting for the coming Messiah. They didn’t know when, how, where. But they were prepared because their hearts were ready.

On the one hand, God birthed His Son into a situation where nothing was ready: To two dirt-poor clueless engaged teenagers, in a filthy manger, in a barn. On the outside, nothing was ready.

But their hearts were ready.

The one item left on our Christmas To-Do List today: Let every heart prepare Him room.

Lord, let our hearts be prepared for You. 

{Thank you for reading.}

As some of you know, my sweet Mama took a bad spill last week and broke her femur, so we’ve been a bit busy and haven’t had a chance to write more on the Advent traditions. We’ll continue! For now, I’ve been thinking about this, from last year. It seems so appropriate again. Perhaps it will speak to a situation in your life as well…

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We’ve all gotten one, right? The gift you didn’t ask for. The thing you’re not sure how on earth that person thought was  just perfect for you.

Inwardly you think, This most certainly was not on my wishlist. 

Out loud you say, “Oh, you shouldn’t have!”

I think we’ve all been there. You might be there again next week. *smile*

But what about when it’s bigger than the contents of a gift-bag?

What if you find yourself staring at the content of your life, overwhelmed, and find yourself, in weak or tired moments, saying these same words…

“I didn’t ask for this!”

I’ve heard these words, from others. I’ve silently said them, in my heart. Not necessarily talking about utter despair, but haven’t we all looked at some certain aspect of the hand dealt us, and shaken our heads, 

This most certainly wasn’t on my wish list. 

It’s silly, perhaps, whether I intend to or not, I subconsciously craft my life-wishlist. And then, each day is handed to me as a fresh gift of grace.

It is unwrapped and often there are squeals of delight.

But some days there are moans. Disappointment. Really? THIS is the gift for today?

I didn’t ask for this.

I’d venture to say we all have aspects of our life where we battle this. Sometimes I’m tempted to redraft my wish list, spend a little more time in prayer to let Him know, Whoops-a-daisy! I think you gave this to the wrong gal! I actually didn’t want this AT ALL. Thanks! 

But He smiles. Patient.

“Oh no, dear daughter. I knew this gift was perfect for you. I know, it’s not exactly what you had in mind. But it’s so much better. It feels a little awkward when you first try it on. I get it. I knew it’d be a struggle for you at first. But I promise if you’ll just trust Me in this. I promise you’ll be so glad someday. I promise you’ll see that this was, indeed, the best gift for you.” 

And so we take that sting of disappointment, or that ache of longing, or that weariness of carrying a gift that feels heavy and hard … and we ask the Father to help us see this gift the way He does. To help us trust Him in the meantime. To help us fight evil but love people. To see beauty in broken places and celebrate victories in the midst of what feels like disastrous failure.

Heavenly Father, our Good and Perfect God, thank You so much for the gifts you give us that we don’t ask for. The ones that aren’t on our wish list. The ones that feel confusing, just a little bit. Thank you that You love us so much, and that LOVE is what we rest in, no matter what we feel. Thank you that You equip us to carry whatever load you call us to bear. Thank you that Your burden is light and there is new mercies every morning. Thank you for Christmas. All Your gifts are good, and perfect. 

{Thank you for reading.}