Well, it’s Tuesday. Not Monday — the day I said I would be posting every week during Advent. With a video. Which I don’t have for you. Further evidence that life, moving, settling-in, and Christmas is somewhat globbed up in my daily-ness. In a mostly happy way.
I still want to tell you all about our recent move — specifically how God used it to speak tenderly and fatherly to me. How He used it to remind me that He does in fact shepherd His people. But for now I’ll just say that yes, He does shepherd His people. He graciously gives us ears to hear Him as we spend time worshipping Him and looking at Him and listening for Him through His Word. He does. He just does.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” ~ Jesus
(John 10:10-11, 14)
I pray that as we spend time looking to our good Shepherd — Jesus — our hearts are further prepared to celebrate His gracious coming this Christmas. I’ll see you back here on Friday. Lord willing.
Fill me, Lord…
What’s your greatest distraction this time of year? What’s your favorite way to “practice remembering” Jesus in the midst of the busy?
One of my favorite ways to focus on Jesus this all consuming time of year is to refuse to compromise my time in God’s Word each morning. I also enjoy adding a AM and PM reading from a Christmas devotional by Jennifer Kennedy Dean, Pursing the Christ. It ‘s excellent.
I like to make things for people (craft items or baked goods) and drop it by as a surprise. It is so touching to watch someone feel loved. And stopping by someone’s home is not as common as it once was, so I think they feel special to have a knock on the door! I’m terrible about showing it throughout the year, but I try to be intentional at Christmas. I always feel His joy within when I do something for someone else. Scripture teaches that he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed, and I’ve found it to be true.