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 More Thoughts of Hope

“Lord you probed me and you know me…you understand my thoughts from afar."  ~Psalm 139

Since we are now in the time of Advent and have just celebrated the wonderful feast of Thanksgiving, I decided to share a few thoughts with you during this holy time of awaiting the coming of the Lord.

I decided this Advent to try and leave more space in my calendar and take more time to just be with God.  When I shared this with the staff, I was surprised that they too were thinking along similar lines.  They were surprised that I was doing this as well.

I can’t tell you how many times people and their situations go thru my mind and heart.  I have “written” many love notes to them in my thoughts, but haven’t had time to mail them or even to call them.  I can’t even take on Facebook, just keeping up with the regular emails keeps me occupied.

What I am doing is tucking them into my prayers and my times of silent reflection.  Sometimes all I can say is that I will provide a prayer covering for your needs and dreams.  I know in my desert days (several hours devoted to time alone with God); I enjoy putting down the names in my journal and lifting each one to God.  I also tuck many of you in my Eucharist and in the morning and evening prayer of the Church that we pray at SOH.

I had a wonderful dream the other night that I saw a most beautiful peak of a mountain piercing thru the gray clouds.  The peak was iridescent, colored in deep pinks, oranges and reds.  Then I dreamt of many friends coming to me from different directions, but streaming toward me.  I felt so good when I awoke from the dream.

This reminds me of the rock that Daniel spoke of that was hewn out of a mountain, but thrown (but with no hand) into the other kingdoms and demolished them, but itself grew into a mountain that filled the earth.  To me and my faith commitment, the rock is Jesus Himself.  It is God’s Kingdom that He came to establish.  It is a Kingdom that will one day bring the peace we all desire; consummate the love that we all long for; and fulfill every person’s heart desire! 

I am beginning the Season of Beginnings by doing my regular exercises, watching what I eat and spending more quality time with people that are life-giving to me.  Yes, I am bearing the cross, with so many who support me and ole SOH, but I also am trying to rejoice in the person God has made me to be and help others do the same.

As our friends keep coming to us, may we rejoice that God is so intent in coming each day, at Christmas and at the end of time, especially in those we love, serve and honor.

I close with this Scripture, Psalm 139: “Lord you probed me and you know me…you understand my thoughts from afar.  My travels and my rest you mark; with all my ways you are familiar…If I ascend to the heavens, you are there; if I lie down in Sheol, you are there too…I praise you, so wonderfully you made me.”