Advent. “The arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.” In the meantime, a holding pattern. Waiting in the dark for the coming light.
2020 has been a holding pattern for many of us, waiting for light to break through the loss, cancellations, and disappointments. We live in the now and not yet, trusting the God we cannot see in the light of what He has already shown us. We live in the fogged-in Saturday between Crucifixion Friday and Resurrection Sunday.
Then your light will break out like the dawn,
And your recovery will speedily spring forth;
And your righteousness will go before you;
The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
(Isaiah 58:8)
I miss being together in person for our wonderful Bible study and the best meal of the week, our Tuesday potluck. I desperately miss the wonderful fresh community and renewal of the Days of Refreshing, Refocus and Refuel, and Soul Care Retreats. I miss ministering in far flung places with beloved brothers and sisters who talk with funny accents. As we adjust to whatever The New Normal will be, we will need these gatherings more than ever to process what God has been doing in us individually and corporately. We will rebuild and restructure to nurture a purified, healthier, and stronger community. We will live out the stabilizing truths and patterns God has been teaching us through this long season of darkness, uncertainty, conflict, separation, grief, and loss.
Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
(Psalm 30:5)
But right now, we are weary. Exhausted. Frustrated. The candle of hope sometimes flickers. To be honest, the last month or so has been the hardest for me. I’m an introvert who can handle far more alone time than the average bear. I welcome restorative times of silence and solitude as a refreshing part of my life and ministry. But it’s been really rough lately.
I must remain mostly quarantined due to being high risk (due to lung damage) and caring for my 90-year-old mother. I’ve been dealing with my mom's difficult decline, trying to make wise decisions, and living between Mason, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky (100 miles apart). I usually enjoy looking forward to a lot of interesting future plans, both ministry and personal. Almost everything in my planner is in tentative pale pencil or has already been cancelled. Quarantining alone with no family in the area has meant isolation, loneliness, and grief. Holidays alone. The darkness and cold of winter doesn’t help.
I am so grateful for the friends who have kept me going, for people who have continued to participate and give generously to the ministry, for people who have checked on me, or helped me, or sent a card or surprise to make me laugh at just the right time. May I never take good friends for granted.
The enemy tries to convince us that it will always be like this. He will try to paralyze us with discouragement, but there is hope. Good things are coming out of 2020. We will move forward with a new perspective, renewed priorities, and greater appreciation for one another. We are learning what truly matters when reality is rough. Tough times bring out the best and the worst in human nature. May we trust Christ to live supernaturally through us even when our spirits are feeble, fainting, and irritable. May we draw on the better angels of our nature.
The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.
(Isaiah 9:2)
As we begin Advent, may we keep our eyes on the Hope to come. May our security remain in Jesus.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
("O Holy Night" by Adolphe Adam)
Much love,
Linda
Tuesday Bible Study (for men and women): No matter where you live, you can come to the Psalm One gathering for support, encouragement, life-giving tools, and time together seeking the Lord. This is for men and women, lay and clergy, married and single, any church, anyone who can join us at Tuesday nights at 7:30pm Eastern Standard Time (that may be Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning for some of you!). We are currently in Ephesians. Paul distills his message down to the core of what it means to follow Christ in any circumstance. Anyone is welcome, whether you are there every week or once in a blue moon. Sign up to receive the Zoom link and stay in the loop: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study
Pastors’ Wives: The Sisterhood of the Fishbowl is having a wonderful time together Thursday nights at 7:30pm Eastern Standard Time. No risk, no travel, no cost, no slippery roads, from the comfort of your own home, Covid hair and pajamas welcome! We are keeping it real with friends who understand the ups and downs of ministry life as we learn and practice tools to jump-start and strengthen our walk with Jesus. We are always glad to see you whether you pop in once or join us every week. Pastors’ wives are invited to sign up to receive the Zoom link and stay in the loop: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives
Thank you so much to those who have continued to invest in Psalm One Ministries! As with so many other ministries, our giving is way down in 2020. I’m sure you are seeing dozens of requests on Giving Tuesday. If you have been blessed, strengthened, supported, or encouraged by Psalm One, I invite you to keep us going with your prayers, gifts, and donations. To invest in the ongoing work of Psalm One stretching around the world: https://www.psalmone.org/donate