Expectation

I expect we expect too much of the wrong thing. Expectations dashed, we are regularly disappointed with the failings of our idols--and fail to be in awe of the God who Is.

Not the noblest...

"God does not necessarily select the noblest or most deserving person to carry out divine purposes."

--Gail Godwin

But each to fulfill the purpose to which we are called...and to realize the humility and hope that allows each to be true self before God and others.

Watching, Waiting

As I walked down the hill this morning, trying to be a fraction mindful, in the near dark I saw two deer ahead crossing the road. I tried to move quietly and looked carefully to see if they would still be along side when I passed the place where they had crossed.

My watchfulness was rewarded. There in the meadow the two stood. From my perspective, they were watching and waiting for me. We stood looking at each other for a while--in the dark still I was appreciating this early morning gift. (Was I gift to them--or just another potential danger?)

In setting out on the journey that would prove to be the beginning of the Maryknoll Sisters Missionary Congregation, Mother Mary Joseph Rogers said, "Let's just go and see what God has in store for us."

Advent invites us to this watching and waiting for the mystery of God's love revealing itself every day.

Advent Seeking

The Advent sense of waiting and preparing calls us to a sense of awe and mystery. It's all around us if we look for it...train our eyes to see it...call our hearts to faith and hope.

Paulo Coelho says the whole universe will conspire to help us. It's there to be seen in the grain of sand. It's in the moon and the stars.

God's love and presence are always waiting for our eyes and hearts to see.

This reflection from ScratchyNotes on The Moon Followed Me Home says it nicely.

Advent Action: Darfur

There are words and then there are words. What can we DO to change our world while we watch and wait through this season of preparation?
There is contemplation.
There is prayer.

And sometimes, we may want to act. "Think globally, act locally."
Advent Actions:

Extremely locally (adjoining offices and thanks to the Advent Calendar suggestion) "self-charging" of fines for uncharitable words and actions has produced more than $3.00 for the local food pantry.

Internationally: why not Save Darfur?

Advent Conspiracy

Spread the word...

Advent Conspiracy

How can we live differently?

One view

As we prepare the way during this season, here's a little inspiration.


Inspirational Quotes

Blessings in Advent.

One of Them

A magnificent piece by Madeleine L'Engle, "A Sky Full of Children" inspires the morning.
(part of it here)

Each of us is one of those stars. We are all in the stars. All those stars are in each of us and all of us.
In all
All in
All One.

May Advent be a time of blessing, peace, learning, growing.
Becoming more and more part of the One in whom all is One.

World AIDS Day

Forty Hours Devotion for People Living with HIV/AIDS





So many years and we are still struggling with this disease that affects lives.

Blessings on people living with HIV/AIDS.
People live with it in many ways:
fear
caring
accompanying
seeking preventive measures, treatments and cures
helping pregnant and nursing women
educating

Blessings on people living with and changing the face of living with HIV/AIDS through courage, compassion, strategy, organization, reaching out.