A Weary World Rejoices

Advent is a season of waiting. In fact, the very definition of advent explains it perfectly.

Advent (n.): the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event; the coming or second coming of Christ.

If you’re like for me, you probably hate to wait. But in Advent, our waiting is special. It’s different. We wait for the arrival of Christ, knowing that He has already come as a man, died as the spotless lamb, and risen for us so that we might have eternal life. During Advent, we remember what it was like for the world thousands of years ago, waiting on the hope of the Messiah—a baby boy, born in a manger amongst animals in quiet Bethlehem.

We are waiting for peace and joy, and the promise of our Savior come alive. We’re tired of the death, destruction, and rampant sin in this world. Whether we realize it or not, we need Jesus.

I’m blown away by how God orchestrated the birth of Jesus. He used Mary and Joseph, and He planned every detail of His coming. He used ordinary people with incredible obedience for His extraordinary purpose.

Do you stop to think God wants to do the same thing with us ordinary people today?

Waiting feels like such a chore. It seems tedious and unnecessary. With all the technological advances around us, why on earth would we want to wait? We’re almost always rushing toward something. (Maybe I’m only speaking for myself here.) Yet Scripture instructs us, both in the Old and New Testaments, to do that very thing: to wait.

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

— Isaiah 40:31

We’re told to stay dependent on God, and He will honor our waiting. I’ve written before that waiting feels passive. Weak. Helpless. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. It’s one of the strongest and most courageous choices you can make.

Here’s the deal: We are all always waiting for something, whether it’s for a job or a home, for marriage or a baby. We will wait throughout our lives, ultimately waiting for the return of the Kingdom or eternal life beyond this earth. Most of our life is waiting.

Waiting means choosing to say every single day, Jesus is better.

Don’t forget: Our God is a Crock-Pot kind of guy. He’s not a microwave God. He is good and faithful. He fulfills His promises to us. But He works slowly—often much more slowly than we would like.

“Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming. Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat. But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”

— 2 Peter 3:8-13

When you feel like God is moving slowly in your life, take heart. He does not delay His promise! His timing is perfect. He works in our waiting, and He is patient with us.

Advent reminds us of the beauty of waiting. God began telling His people about Jesus a full millennium and a half before His birth. God really was before all things, is in all things, and is the future of all things. He is making everything new, and His thread of redemption is woven throughout history.

The precious baby Jesus grew into the man who showed the world a new way, who died the death we deserve, and who rose again to offer redemption for all people! Christmas is the beginning of the story of Jesus, but Christmas continues with us. We wait in excited anticipation of Him. We get to wait in the hope of the Gospel, knowing He is true and faithful. Thank you, Father, for sending Your Son! Thank you for preparing the way.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!”

— Luke 2:14

What I'm Listening To

The music, podcasts, and sermons I’m loving right now.

As a stay-at-home mom, there are some days when I miraculously have time to read the Bible, journal, and dig into every word and question for an hour with no distractions. But most days? Most days, I’m scrambling to get a bit of the Word into my heart and mind while taking care of my seven-month-old full-time. That’s when listening to the audio version of the Bible is key, and worship music, podcasts, and sermons come in handy. These resources help pour the truth over me and keep my eyes fixed on the Kingdom.

Here are a few of my favorites right now. I’d love to hear what you’re listening to, too! Leave me a comment below.

Music

“Rescue” by Lauren Daigle

I was a big fan of Daigle’s hit song “You Say” (and wrote about it here), but there’s something different about “Rescue” that I love even more. Whereas “You Say” focuses on what God says about who we are as His sons and daughters, “Rescue” highlights the character of God. He sees us, He knows us, and He is always working for our good and His glory. He will never leave us or forsake us. He’s the good shepherd, and we are His flock.

“Raise a Hallelujah” - Bethel Music

This song is guaranteed to make you turn the volume up. My son and I love dancing around to this, praising God and His faithfulness.

“O Praise the Name (Anastasis)” - Hillsong Worship

I almost always tear up to “O Praise the Name.” This live version is especially powerful. It helps me to meditate on what Jesus Christ did for me. How He died for the world, yes, but for me individually and for you. He died and He rose again with great purpose: to save you and invite you into His kingdom!

“O praise the name of the Lord our God, o praise His name forevermore. For endless days, we will sing Your praise, O Lord, O Lord, our God.”

Podcasts

Risen Motherhood

I discovered Risen Motherhood this year, and I’m officially hooked. I love how the hosts apply the gospel to everything they discuss, from finances to body image to screen time. Each episode is about 20 minutes, making them perfect to turn on while you wash dishes or fold laundry.

In the Market with Janet Parshall

This podcast is also a show on Moody Radio; it comes on here in Nashville during the evening commute. My husband and I so appreciate how Parshall dissects current events and hot-button topics through the lens of the Bible. A must-listen.

That Sounds Fun with Annie Downs

Downs interviews different guests each week—some of my favorite episodes include Sadie Robertson, Rebekah Lyons, Trey Kennedy, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck—and she always makes sure she asks them what sounds fun.

Sermons

The Answer for Anxiety - Long Hollow Baptist Church, Pastor Robby Gallaty

Our former church is going through a series called “Real Life,” and dang, it’s good. This message on anxiety has been incredibly helpful for me and reminded me to run to Christ when I feel anxious. Gallaty has also preached on depression and social media. He weaves the truth of Jesus and the Bible with his own personal testimony, even discussing medication (which no, is not a sin). Watch online or download the podcast version.

Practicing Prayer - The Village Church, Pastor Matt Chandler

Matt Chandler is the first evangelical pastor I ever listened to, and he’s someone I turn back to time and time again. His messages continue to be rooted in scripture; this one is no exception. Chandler breaks down how Jesus teaches His followers to pray. Watch online or download the podcast version.

The Underdog’s Secret - Summit Church, Pastor JD Grear

I heard this sermon on the radio a few weeks ago, and I was blown away. I’d never listened to Grear before this. Like Gallaty and Chandler, Grear’s powerful voice and love of the Word make for some convicting and encouraging sermons. Here, he discusses the story of Gideon and how God often uses the small and weak to fulfill His plans. Listen online or to the podcast version.

Sometimes Life Looks Different Than You Expect (Plus, a Major Life Update)

We took this photo on the top of Independence Pass last June, during our honeymoon trip to Colorado. Charles and I were blissfully happy (I mean, hello, it’s our honeymoon), and married life seemed to be going exactly as we hoped and planned. Little did we know what was to come when we returned to Tennessee.

Charles accepted a job working nights—we were thrilled for the opportunity for him, despite our different schedules. We certainly made the best decision at the time for the two of us. We moved into a new place in the city of Nashville, and shortly thereafter we found out we were expecting. Everything felt exciting and wonderful.

What we didn’t expect was how difficult the next 16 months would be. His night shift job became more and more demanding, with some weeks topping out at 80 hours. Sunday to Thursday, we passed each other like ships in the night, and our weekends were reduced to a few exhausted hours together. We struggled to make friends or community within our church, and we were unable to join the groups or classes that we desired to because of our schedule. Holidays and vacation time were almost nonexistent.

We knew we were still blessed in countless ways. Both in good health, with jobs, an apartment, and plenty of food to eat. Plus a baby on the way! We tried to focus on all the gifts in our life, rather than dwell on the negatives.

Yet the truth is that we were processing through our own version of suffering. We were learning what life looked like when it didn’t go according to plan. You know: When you think you’re driving on a straightaway with the windows down, the sun shining, and no other cars around, and instead you’re stuck in a traffic jam on a stormy day, facing flat tires and engine problems and detour after detour with no end in sight.

And then once our son was born, I felt incredibly joyful—I think God revealed His true purpose for me in motherhood—but also more overwhelmed than I admitted at the time. My hormones were up and down. I was exhausted physically and mentally. I worried about my son all the time. In fact, I didn’t sleep at all the first night home from the hospital out of fear something might happen to him. I wasn’t exactly depressed, but I was definitely dealing with baby blues.

Charles and I both knew something had to change. He’d been searching for jobs since before the baby was born. We kept praying and praying and praying God would change our situation.

The months went on, and I continued processing. I wrestled with what it meant to be a stay-at-home mom, when my identity had been wrapped up in career and achievements my whole life. I felt lonelier that I had in a long time, and I didn’t quite know how to express that to people. I just wanted them to be there for me. Then there was the anger. Oh, the anger. I’ve never really been an angry person, but suddenly I was mad, a lot. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I was mad at God.

Lord, why is this our situation? Why does everything have to feel so hard?

And Charles was going through a lot of his own processing, too. Sleep deprivation will do a number on you—not to mention, he rarely saw the light of day, or anything, really, outside the four walls of his workplace.

But God has taught us more through this season than we anticipated. He’s shown us that He is always faithful, always loving, and always good. We’ve pressed into Him when we didn’t know what else to do. We’ve cried out to Him with literal tears and shouts. He’s grown our faith in areas we didn’t know we needed, and He’s reminded us that He is forever after His glory.

I’ve learned I’m not the only one who’s faced difficult situations. I have friends whose husbands work equally long hours, friends whose husbands travel all week, and friends whose husbands have been deployed in the Middle East. I have friends who are longing for a husband or a child and are probably reading this thinking I shouldn’t complain. (They’re right.) I have friends who’ve struggled with infertility or miscarriage. Friends who are walking through depression, anxiety, and grief. Friends with cancer diagnoses. Autoimmune disease. Addiction. The list goes on.

I’ve learned there are people all around us and all over the world who are struggling. Everyone is going through something. We have no idea what people might be experiencing, and we all owe each other a bit of grace and the love of Christ.

Through all of this, I now have a greater understanding that sometimes God allows His people to suffer to bring us closer to Him.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we areyet he did not sin.”

— Hebrews 4:15

He wants our whole hearts and our dependence on Him. He wants our ultimate good and His glory. Through suffering, we see that He is God, and we are not. He is in control. Our suffering allows us to empathize with others. It makes us more like Him. When we are suffering, we are reminded of what Christ went through on the Cross for us. We have a great high priest who was tempted in every way, who suffered more than we ever will so that we can have eternal life. We can trust Him in all situations.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

— Psalm 139:13-14

If you take anything away from this blog post, please let it be that. You are not alone in whatever you’re walking through. You have a Savior who knows you and who knit you together in your mother’s womb. He created you with great purpose. Jesus really does love you, and He wants a real relationship with You.

Will you trust Him?

Trusting in God is the only thing that got us through these past months. I honestly don’t know how our marriage would have survived without our shared foundation of faith in Christ. I know there will be trials in the future, too, but I can say with confidence that God will be with us in them.

And so, after many tears, much prayer, and now wonderful thanksgiving, we can confidently say God has brought us into a new season.

He’s given Charles a new job, and our family is about to get a fresh start. We are moving to Denver, Colorado!

The photo at the top of this blog post has been the background on our computer since our honeymoon. It’s a picture that makes us happy every time we look at it and gave us hope that things would turn around again. We had no idea that God would actually send us out west, to the same state that photo was taken.

We are so excited to begin this new chapter in Colorado. We cannot praise God enough. Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement along the way.

Now onto the Rocky Mountain State!

Living Out of Abundance

Throughout the summer I’ve been splitting my time between Isaiah and the Psalms. The Psalms feel very digestible for me right now, and let me tell you, God sure is speaking to me through them. (Doesn’t he always speak through His Word?)

The Lord is showing me my desire for control over everything and how much I want to plan out each step of my life. I want to fix things, I want life to be perfect, I want to look like I have it all together, and I want to know what God has in store for my family and me. Sometimes I find myself focusing on what I want and what I don’t have, rather than on what God continues to provide for me.

Today, what I want most is more family time. I also want more community within our church, greater ability to travel, a larger car, an apartment with more space, and a baby who will happily take a bottle and sleep through the night. In wanting these things, I can easily forget all that God has already given me. A home. A church family. A vehicle. A husband who has a steady job and who loves me well. A precious son growing bigger and stronger every day.

A dear friend reminded me recently that God doesn’t promise that He will give us everything we want. But He will give us everything we need.

We can trust that fully. He will sustain us, and He will provide our daily bread. Every morning we awake, He’s given us another day and another opportunity to praise Him.

Psalm 23 says:

“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

He lets me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He renews my life;

He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake.

Even when I go through the darkest valley I fear no danger for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You annoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.”

What would it look like to live out of abundance, rather than focus on what we lack?

What do you feel like you are lacking? Money? A job? Health? A spouse? Children? Friends? A home? You are not alone in feeling like you lack something. As humans, we are going to feel that on this earth. But the thing is, we all have everything we need in Christ. He provides our souls with abundant grace, love, forgiveness, strength, and justice.

God provides us with manna in the wilderness. In the Old Testament, God used Moses and Aaron to lead His people, the Israelites, out of slavery. In doing so, they spent 40 years in the wilderness, wandering and having only manna and quail to eat. They were used to different, better food while they were slaves in Egypt. And they wanted to go back to that life of slavery and sin so they could have the abundant, rich food again!

“In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.’”

— Exodus 16:2-3

Sound familiar?

We often would rather live stuck in a life of sin, relying on our own ways and trusting in the provision of our own hands instead of trusting in God’s provision and manna.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.’”

— Exodus 16:4-5

God provides the bread, and He himself is the bread. He provides for our physical needs as well as our spiritual needs. He invites us into a relationship with Him. And He commands that we rest in Him, trusting in Him as our provider. With Him, our cup overflows. I want to live out of that abundant cup.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack... I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

That is my prayer for myself and for my family right now—that we dwell in the house of the Lord as long as we live.

Father, help me to trust in You and Your provision. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger for You are with me. You are my shepherd. There is nothing I lack.