Holding them close to his heart

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Reading this long-time favorite verse in Isaiah 40 tonight, and comforted by it:

He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. (Isa. 40: 11 NLT)

Carried close to his heart, and gently lead. So encouraging today.

Daily 5 - Day 131

Today's Daily 5

1. Making it through a long list of tasks at work, some of which were time sensitive, while still managing to answer phones for a large chunk of the morning and manage the front desk.
2. A small, very thoughtful Christmas gift from a friend received as we had lunch together today - an item I'd looked at a number of times, but never purchased.
3. Hearing her say that she'd bought them because they made her think of me. That was deeply encouraging because my relationship with this friend has been uncertain, and I've often felt like she didn't know or understand me well, but this gift was a very thoughtful indication that she does "see" me at least a little, and that was encouraging to me today.
4. One more baking task finished.
5. A grocery trip where everything was in stock (went by myself to a different store than usual)
6. finished making a small gift for another friend
7. curled up in bed playing a game on my laptop
8. emails that are completely caught up at the moment
9. knowing that I'm getting very close to ten days or so in a row off of work
10. the joy of making gifts and anticipating giving them
    

Shortest Day of the Year

It's officially the shortest day of the year here in the Northern hemisphere.

Very few hours of daylight, but lots to do.

Our receptionist is off this morning, and the phones are ringing off the hook.

I have several Christmas projects left to accomplish, and increasingly little time to do them in.

And tonight I need to grocery shop. Because there is a specific appetizer that I make every year for the family Christmas Eve appetizer extravaganza, and my brothers will be rather upset if they don't appear. (T. did offer to help me make them on the afternoon of the 24th.)

Near as I can tell there are three baking recipes left to be accomplished. And a bunch of Christmas cards to write. Large baking gifts to be assembled. An ornament to be made, and a gift to assemble. And those are just the Christmas related items.

The list for work, just for the day, is equally long.

So, I'd better start working on it!

This shortest day officially means we're moving towards spring! The days get longer from here (though maybe not warmer for a while yet!)

Daily 5 - Day 130

Today's Daily "5"

1. Visiting the gorillas early this morning, and watching as they ate and played
2. watching the hippos eat breakfast and then sort of waddle and ease themselves back into their pool. So funny.
3. Enjoying T's girlfriend leading worship at church this morning.
4. Enjoying the choir from the church, with T conducting, both at church and at a nursing home this afternoon
5. One more baking job finished. Only two or three to go, and then packaging all the goodies up.
6. time with family today
7. finding time to journal and somewhat release the dream that I woke from this morning
8. lighting the 4th advent candle, and pondering love and friendships all day.
9. an encouraging note about my weekly photos on facebook of my advent wreath from someone I've known most of my life
10. being genuinely greeted by a number of people at church this morning. it's not always the case at that church - that I am able to relax and and not feel pressure to perform, but today it was nice to be welcomed by a few people.
    

Fourth Advent: Love

Four Advent Candles have now been lit in the wreath that sits on my dresser. Only the Christ candle remains unlit, waiting for the coming of Immanuel.

The fourth candle is love.

Over the last four Sundays I've lit candles for hope, peace, joy, and now tonight, love.

The timing as usual is profound.

I've spent much of the day pondering again how much love requires. The giving up of rights. The surrendering. I didn't know that tonight's candle was love, that I would come home, and finish up the baking for the day, and light a candle symbolizing love. I just spent my day thinking about some of those things, because they were what was on my mind.

Funny how God does that.

So four candles burn on my dresser wreath, and I am waiting.

I am waiting for Christ, the true embodiment of love to come. For in his love are the hope and peace and joy that I've already lit candles, waiting in expectation for each of their fulfillment as well.

I am waiting, come, Lord Jesus, come.