Pat Layton: Sweet Tea for Surrendered Sisters

This morning, in my quiet time, I did something that I find very difficult and do not do nearly enough.

I sat before the Lord with nothing to say (rather, saying nothing) and simply listened.

It is not that I didn't HAVE things to talk to God about. I actually have a BOATLOAD of prayer requests!! There are a few things that are so heavy on my heart that I can barley get myself around for the weight of them. Things that I have talked to Him about OVER and OVER and OVER!!!!!! Things I have asked God to FIX or to show ME how to fix.

I will take either way.

God's ways are not our ways.

A look at the manger speaks clearly of that truth.

This is the second week of the Advent season.

Advent: (root for the word Adventure) a penitential (root word for penitentiary) beginning 4 Sundays before Christmas for reflection upon the coming of Christ.

Advent is a season of reflection, repentance, anticipation and celebration. It is so much more than a commercial holiday counted upon to boost the economy. It is a season that calls for complete focus upon the Birth of the Saviour of the World!!

A season of understanding the truth about God.

An understanding that everything begins and ends with our complete reconciliation to Him. Our Creator, Our Lord, Our All in All.

Advent calls for a double focus...the beginning and the end, past and future. I read that Advent demands a "profound sense that we live between the times".

We have seen His first coming, we will see His return.

For those of us who really understand this season, it is our responsibility to tell the rest of the world.

The neighbors who are having Santa as the guest of honor for a holiday party.

The dry cleaner who has a Buddha on the counter with a Santa hat on his head.

The grocery cashier who has a "HoHoHo" apron on.

The dental hygienist who laments about her lack of shopping money this year.

As I sat with the Lord this morning, waiting for Him to Write to ME in my journal, this is what He said:

"As for me, this is my covenant with them....My Spirit, who is on you, and my Word that I have put in your mouth, will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time and forever"

Is 59:21

What a promise. What a Savior. What a Season!!