with love, megan

How did I miss the entire month of January?

Unacceptable, I know.

You forgive me, I know.

I’m here, though, and writing once again. Much has happened since we last met – namely an excellent trip to the US and a 30th birthday!

Yes, I am 30. No, I’m not eternally 29.

The more I’ve thought about it, the more I like the idea. I suppose on a basic level I could say that I’ve always preferred even numbers to those strangely uncomfortable odd ones. On a slightly deeper level I could say that I’m pretty content with where I find myself at this particular age. I don’t have everything figured out by any means, but I like where things are going. My 20s were well spent (read: not without hiccups or mistakes or pain) and I have hopes that this decade to come will be even richer.

I know that there’s a temptation at my age to look around the room and take note of all that I haven’t done yet. I haven’t gotten married, or reproduced, or saved a giant lump of money, or bought a house… but I’m weary to make those things my measuring stick of contentment, lest I get confused about the real stuff of life. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added… comes to mind. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven… also pops in to my train of thought.

Before this post becomes a daily bread devotional moment, I’ll just say this: I know I don’t do things perfectly. I do want to be faithful with what I’ve been given, though, and with what I’ve been asked to do in the place to which I’ve been called. What happens in these next 10 years will probably surprise us all – most of all me!

And with that, I can confidently say to 30: bring it on.

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

Love has been in the air all week long. My community in Houston always surrounds me by love in such tangible ways… time together, hugs, laughter, food, practical acts of service… the list could go on.

Of course we know that at Christmas we’re entering into the greatest love story ever. I don’t have much time to blog today, but let’s remember love as we live this week.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:35-37

In this first week of Advent, we focus on hope. Advent is a time of waiting, watching and preparation. Hoping for something. Asking the king who is (and was and is to come) to breakthrough once again. As many years as I’ve done this, each one is unique to that particular year, that season. I want to take time this week to look and listen for hope. What does it look like this year? Where do I need to see hope break in? What about you?

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:4

Give thanks to the Lord, for his is good; his love endures forever. Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.” In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. Psalm 118:1-5

I’ve recommended it in the past, but I love this website for daily Advent devotions. I’ll end this week’s blog with their benediction from this week:

Let us begin Advent, waiting.
Not the “going back to sleep” kind of waiting.
Not the impatient pacing, or the wasted anxiety of waiting.
Not even the passive-aggressive waiting that says, “Really? We’ll see.”

Let us begin Advent, waiting.
Getting up and joining the adventure,
Even when we don’t know where it will take us.
Shifting the impatient waiting to expectant living.
Boldly claiming the Good News that we know will come.
Waiting with joy as we reach out with the grace of God that is so much more than amazing.

Let us begin Advent.