I forgot my freedom

When I remembered my chains

Instead of forgiveness

I lived in my shame

One day you will look back and tell this story

And it will only take a couple sentences

And they will say “oh that sounds hard.”

What if we entertained our neighbors

Like we entertained our insecurities

Welcoming them in often

Hearing them out

The frosty view from my window

A reminder that it’s ok to go slowly

To tiptoe into a new season

To tread lightly

To enjoy the untouched blanket for a moment more

So gaze on the beauty of flowers in the spring.

Soak up the sun on your skin in the summer.

Crunch through the falling leaves in autumn.

And make snowmen in the winter.

Allow your season to be your season.

New Year’s Eve was spent with the intention of reflecting. I tried, I really did. I even posted a caption with a reflection that while I still stand behind made it seem that I had really leaned into processing 2020.

O come thou long expected Jesus

Meet us underneath the tree

when lights and wrapped gifts

give little joy to me

That is not, in fact, abiding. It is more like staying in the vicinity of God. You can do all those things while abiding. You can also do all those things while not abiding. By focusing so much of our energy in not winning, we train ourselves to avoid or ignore our sin as a coping mechanism. Which leads to hiding or self righteousness. Basically being in denial about our sins.

The first yellow leaf is pure magic

The first golden sunset casting

Long autumn shadows is like balm

To my tired soul

It ushers in a reflective

And perfectly melancholy season

This too shall pass

And we will be changed

Hopefully for the better

Like the dawn after the dark