Showing posts with label advent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advent. Show all posts
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.jpg "celebrating advent in the waiting seasons of life")
"...she never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying."
// Luke 2:37 //
Happy December 1st friends and welcome to the advent season of 2024. It feels like December has quickly come after a week of extreme emotions and experiences... I am finding myself overwhelmed with gratitude at how well my precious mom is doing and approaching this advent season considering one of my favorites stories of the Bible... from Luke chapter 2.
This chapter tells the story of Anna and from the brief description that we receive about Anna we know that she had lived a long life and yet suffered greatly as she had lost her husband after only seven short years of marriage. Scripture tells us that she was a widow from that time until she was 84 years old.
In a society that required many women to rely on men for basic survival, the story doesn't focus on the fact of what she lost or her concern for her survival but the story shares that she had spent her life waiting for the King of Kings and believing that he was coming.
One of the reasons that this story is one of my favorites is that scripture shares that she spent her life worshipping day and night, fasting and praying. Her sole focus was on the coming king and the on the celebration that she knew would come at the end of her waiting season. She chose to worship and celebrate in the midst of waiting all of those years.
Like many of you perhaps I have sometimes approached the Advent season with a myriad of different emotions- joy at our Saviors birth and yet discouragement at the things that I am still waiting for. I am challenged and encouraged and inspired by Anna- to celebrate in the midst of waiting. For so many people, including myself, there can be many emotions around this time of year and yet that is why I love the advent season.
It is of interesting to note that the contrary to popular belief, the season of advent is rarely four weeks long and it can actually vary from year to year on what its exact length is. I find this particularly interesting for those that are waiting on a variety of different prayer requests and hopes and longings behind the scenes. In a waiting season we may never know exactly how long something may be or how long the journey might last. Our prayers can be answered in a second, or in the weeks or months or years to come.
The advent season is a season of waiting and inspiration for us all. Like those who have gone before us and like Anna, we can find inspiration and encouragement in this season knowing that the God of light came into the darkness. May we find everlasting peace and incredible hope in this season as we celebrate the birth of our King as the true light of lights that has dawned.
“Nevertheless, that time of darkness and
despair shall not go on forever.”
-Isaiah 9:1-
My heart knows that the Christmas season and celebration is about Jesus, but sometimes my head gets wrapped up in all of the “festivities” that I long to experience with someone. My prayer constantly is: "Lord, help me to remember that this holiday season isn’t about a TV movie and a relationship with a guy but about my relationship with you."
On the other hand, while I struggle in this season, this season of advent is so powerful and hopeful to my life as a single woman. The word “advent” is defined as a “time of expectant waiting and preparation”. It is applicable to my life in so many ways and have shared about its special significance in my book, "When Light Dawns". I often feel that being single in this holiday season is like walking through a dark tunnel and that is why one of my favorite verses is from Isaiah 9: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”
A light will dawn and just like this advent season is a expectant waiting and preparation, so is this season as a single lady. "If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently." (Romans 8:24-25) The longer we wait for something, the more joyful our expectancy and confident we can be. Since the fall we have waited and longed for a Redeemer. As I share in my upcoming book, "Prayers for the Single Journey" (releasing February 2023), I feel that many times I am wanting to be “saved from singleness” but no man can do that for me. Only Jesus is the Lord and Savior.
As we wait in this single season let us trust that the Lord has a beautiful outcome, a miraculous story for our romantic lives. And just like those long ago, we will find hope in the truth that, even the dark tunnel we may feel we are in will not last forever. “Nevertheless, That time of darkness and despair shall not go on forever.” (Isaiah 9:1)
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas over at the December Caravan Etsy Shop! As y'all know I start adding the Christmas items to the shop on November 8th through the 18th every year! I love adding them this time of the year so that it provides plenty of time to enjoy these one of a kind treasures and items for this season (and for future seasons)!
This season I will be offering a variety of different journals, buntings, cards, storybook Christmas buntings, and some fun surprises!
It is always so much fun to start adding holiday items to the shop!
I love this season and the special memories that are made around this cozy time!
It always seems that hope is a little bit more abundant during this time of the year which is a precious reminder these days.
I do understand though that for some, the holiday season can be particularly difficult and painful for a myriad of reasons. I myself have been there many times over the years and my heart breaks for each of you in this situation.
I know that many of you have heartbreak behind the scenes and are working up the courage to muster smiles and happiness for those around you.
I can only hope and pray that during these next days and months you will feel the tender grace of God meet you in your pain. You are not alone.
As with each of my items in the shop, the Christmas collection in the shop is designed to inspire hope and joy in every part of your life through handmade items. I hope that you have a chance to check out the different items that are currently available and don't forget to keep checking back throughout this week as more are added to the shop! You can go directly to the shop by clicking HERE!
Happy Sunday friends!
Two years ago, when the first edition of When Light Dawns was released in 2015 I remember laying in my bed, stunned that my second book was actually in print. I was in the midst of my first treatment round with IV antibiotics and was extremely sick so the book release at that point seemed unreal. In fact, just 11 days before the book release I had started an extremely intensive treatment round that included all day antibiotics. To be frank the book release was a whirlwind. There were no book release parties, no big dinner celebrations, and to be frank there were many tears behind the scenes due to being so sick from treatment.
In many ways, as I look back on that time, I see that it was very symbolic of the Christmas season when Jesus was born. It was difficult and it was messy, and in my own way I felt that I was in a stable. And honestly it makes me smile. When Light Dawns, the first edition will always have a special place in my heart. It was truly born out of love and a desire to encourage Lymies who were struggling in the midst of the "joyful" holiday season. I so related to this as I often wept through the days almost wanting the Christmas season to pass. When it is a struggle to breath and live this season can feel overwhelming.
As I think back to that season and to how far the Lord has brought me in these past two years, my eyes well up with tears. It has been a long and tiring battle but the Christmas season has remained for me a beacon of hope against many dark and moonless nights.
As I think back to having this book end up where it has I am truly overwhelmed that there are more than 10,000 copies of of this little book in print and that it is being translated into several different languages. It seemed fitting as we approach the Advent and Christmas season for a 2nd edition to come along. This second edition has been updated and expanded but still includes the 40 day devotionals that offer a reflection on the Advent and Christmas season, along with a song.
While this book could be read for anyone with a Chronic Illness, the book is the first and only Lyme patient specific book for Advent and Christmas. The book can be used as a simple encouragement to the weary heart or as a guided devotional study. My prayer remains the same that this little book will provide spiritual encouragement and give new meaning to the popular phrase, "Holiday Preparations".
I am SO excited to announce that it the 2nd edition of When Light Dawns officially released this morning!! You can purchase it where books are sold or on Amazon (also available in Kindle form) and you can click HERE to purchase it!
Thank you to each of you that have already purchased it!! If you have a chance will you take a moment and leave a short review? Thank you!! Thank you so much to ALL of you that have been walking this journey with me in prayer! TRULY you are a blessing!!
"The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has never extinguished it."
-John 1:5-
With Love,
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news…"
-Luke 2:8-10-
Ever since I was a little girl, I have been intrigued by shepherds, specifically the shepherds the Bible mentioned in the Christmas story. Historically shepherds were referred to as the forgotten people and were seen as especially lowly in society. Thousands of years later, I am humbled to admit how many times I feel like I am part of the forgotten people. Despite social media, technology, and the ability to instantly connect with others, I think we all struggle with feeling forgotten in different ways. The holiday season can compound these feelings of loneliness in a hundred little ways. I know personally how hard and painful it can be to experience joy in this season when we feel like we have been forgotten.
I am so touched and humbled to be sharing more of my heart over at Mundane Faithfulness on the topic of feeling forgotten this holiday season. You can find the guest post HERE if you are interested in reading it.
Happy Monday friends! I hope that you are having a wonderful day!
Happy Monday friends! I hope that you are having a wonderful day!
If you have been around this blog for a little bit of time than you know how much my little life has been influenced and touched by the late Kara Tippetts. Her books (Big Love, The Hardest Peace, Just Show Up, and And it was Beautiful) have had a tremendous impact on my heart and life. Her writings at her blog, Mundane Faithfulness touched my life, encouraged me in the truth that Jesus is good despite the hard in our lives, and gently reminded me to look for grace in the midst of each day.
Like many others, I was incredibly touched by Kara's story over the last several years, and while I didn't ever get to meet her in person I grew to treasure her greatly. She was truly a hero of mine, a woman whom I prayed for who dealt with incredibly difficult circumstances yet clung to her faith in the Lord, and left a lasting legacy not only for me but for so many others.
I shared in September that earlier this year I had the lovely chance to connect with Blythe, who now runs Mundane Faithfulness, whom I am honored and humbled to call a friend. I have stood in awe as Blythe has navigated continuing Kara's beautiful legacy and yet uniquely developed a deep community rooted in God's grace that came after deep loss. Blythe has poured out her heart, serving behind the scenes, offering encouragement and love to the many hurting that are apart of the Mundane Faithfulness community. In addition she has taken the time to consistently share her heart on the Mundane Faithfulness blog. Blythe's writing is powerful, full of truth and love, and the grace is life-changing. I have literally cried many tears reading through her posts, thankful for her encouragement in this journey of life. I want to go grab a cup of tea and just sit at Blythe's feet listening to her wisdom or just follow her around for weeks on end soaking up her wisdom. She is AMAZING.
I was so touched and humbled when she asked if I would share a bit of my heart for Mundane Faithfulness in September and then asked if I would guest blog. On Monday I share a little of my heart on the advent and Christmas season. You can find the guest post HERE if you are interested in reading it.
If you haven't already had a chance to read through Mundane Faithfulness I promise you will want to grab a cup of coffee and head on over to it. Mundane Faithfulness is full of beautiful truth, God's grace, and encouragement. I can promise that it will encourage you to go back to the heart of Scripture and fall more in love with Jesus.
If you haven't already had a chance to read through Mundane Faithfulness I promise you will want to grab a cup of coffee and head on over to it. Mundane Faithfulness is full of beautiful truth, God's grace, and encouragement. I can promise that it will encourage you to go back to the heart of Scripture and fall more in love with Jesus.
So today, give your heart a gift and head on over to Mundane Faithfulness and spend time reading, connecting, and finding encouragement that grace will meet us each day. (You can find the blog by clicking HERE!)
"Hard is not the absence of God's goodness,"
-Kara Tippetts-
Happy Friday friends!
Today on my instagram feed I am giving away 5 signed copies of my book "When Light Dawns" and 5 $5 Starbucks giftcards!
To enter for a chance to win head on over click HERE!!
**Don't have Lyme Disease or already have the book? Please consider entering and spreading the word to help raise awareness. If you win I will pass on your winning prize to a Lyme friend AND send you a $5 Starbucks giftcard as a small thank you for helping to spread the word!**
**Don't have Lyme Disease or already have the book? Please consider entering and spreading the word to help raise awareness. If you win I will pass on your winning prize to a Lyme friend AND send you a $5 Starbucks giftcard as a small thank you for helping to spread the word!**
I am so excited to share a BIG secret that I have been keeping!! My new book, "When Light Dawns" (Daily Reflections on Advent & Christmas for Lyme Warriors) will be released on November 15th, 2015!!!
This book, the first and only Lyme patient specific book for Advent and Christmas, will feature daily reflections that will inspire, encourage, and give hope to Lyme warriors. Containing a daily reflection for each day of the Christmas season (from the last week of November through the first week of January) "When Light Dawns" can be used as a simple encouragement to the weary heart or as a guided devotional study. Either way, "When Light Dawns" will provide spiritual encouragement and give new meaning to the popular phrase, "holiday preparations".
It has been a ton of hard work and thousands of hours and it has been the Lord's grace and goodness each step of the way to see this project coming to fruition. Would you pray for me as I finish up the final edits in the coming weeks? Specifically I have been praying the words of the Psalmist:
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."
-Psalm 19:fourteen-
Would you pray this for me too? Thank you so much sweet friends! I hope that you have a wonderful Sunday!!
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