Happy New Year to you!

I'm amazed at how quickly the time seems to click by, unless I'm waiting for something.  Then, whew!  It's like it will never get here.

Even as I write, I am awaiting the arrival of friend whom I'm anxious to see.  We've been counting down the days, and now it's here.  The house is neat, guest room prepared, fresh towels in the newly cleaned guest bath.  And here I wait. And wait.

Expectancy.  We have a lot of that as Christians.  We've just come out of the time of Advent--a Season of expectation as we look for the birth of the Christ child in Bethlehem.  And in a matter of a couple of weeks, we will enter another time of expectation.  The Season of Lent.  Lent is a time when we roam a bit in the wilderness.  Jesus did it to prepare himself for his ministry here on Earth.  He faced the toughest of temptations for our sakes, so that he might intimately know that which tempts us on a daily basis, and so that he might show us how to endure it.  But we've fallen short in the face of temptations.  And so we enter the wilderness during Lent to enter a time of introspection and prayer and penance.  It is a time of personal reflection of our deep need for a Savior.  As Jesus used the wilderness experience as a time to prepare for his ministry, we can use our journey in the wilderness as a means by which we can prepare ourselves for the Hope that is to come at Easter-- the resurrection of the Christ and the redemption of our souls.

And let's not forget that, as Christians, we are waiting on the return of our resurrected Lord.  My sister and I have spoken recently about the wars, the natural disasters around the world and questioned: could this be it?  Is the time upon us?  As I made ready the room for my guest, I found my thoughts wandering... and wondering.  The room is ready, but am I ready?  Am I ready and prepared to greet Christ?  "Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks." Luke 13:35-36. 

This waiting-- it's hard stuff.

Grace and peace to you as you journey.

Yours in Christ,  

~~Jennifer

1/14/05

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