This past Saturday was Small Business Saturday. A holiday that continues to grow and my fondness of it grows with it as the years pass. In my hometown, where all the stores are, WalMart, Kroger, etc. You know, the big business stuff. But in the middle of town, right by the historical community theater named The Vanity Theater, there are shops. Antique shops, local cafe, the art museum showcasing local artists, and, in the summer, spring, and fall, there is a farmers market that happens. All downtown, all extremely accessible. And all awesome. To celebrate our wonderful local businesses and to give an extra excuse to hang out and/or run into some old friends and truly cherish the hometown we all take advantage of, we have a Downtown Party Night. Hot chocolate, horse-drawn carriage, a Christmas tree in the Plaza, the works! All to celebrate what a truly great town we live in and celebrate the company we surround ourselves with.
Now that you get some sort of picture, I will continue with the story.
I went to Downtown Party Night to see a group of young singers and to support my local community theater. At first, I intended to simply go check out the group, give a couple of dollars, and go home. After all, it was running late, and it was about closing time for some of the businesses. However, after the young singers sang and some hugs from the group, I ran into two friends. Two friends I see often in passing, but haven't really kept constant company with in a while. So, we ran across the street to grab a cup of coffee and chat for a little bit.
One of my friends had said something that totally clicked with me. "Your spiritual health is just like your regular health." In that if you don't stay active and eat right, your health doesn't get better/stay healthy. In the same light, if you are not active in your spirituality, you probably won't grow spiritually.
First, let me clear up a couple of things.
For me, my spirituality and my faith go hand in hand. I know many people say they are spiritual, but not religious, and that is fine and how they understand the world. However, it seems my world puts spirituality and faith in the same boat, pretty much. Okay, onwards!
Anywho, my friend's comment was very interesting to me. And made total sense. This year, I have really been working on physical health and to be a better human physically, and therefore mentally and stuff (because it actually helps in a lot of different ways). Sure, I have been going to church, and when I remember, I read my Bible, or tune into my Daily Audio Bible podcast. But, you know, my busy schedule and all that jazz. Which is totally valid. I just think I tend to give that excuse to myself a lot.
The point? This Advent, I wanted to really set the goal for myself to read a passage a day and think on it and pray about it and really do this thing religiously (ha).
In doing so, I found this advent scripture schedule. For today, December 1, it was
John 1: 1-5.
I invite you to read the following passage and think on it, pray on it, whatever works for you. If you're not a Christian, feel free to read it and move on, or you can skip it if you want.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."
The last phrase really stuck out to me. "...and the darkness did not overcome it."
Lately, with certain family events, helping some friends as much as I can, and the ever-dreaded finals week, life can seem like it sucks us all totally dry. Or at least me. Sometimes life becomes a lot. The overwhelming schedule on top of things we never expect to happen, how are we ever expected to see this through? Right before the big due date, or event that we've been planning for months, or buying Christmas gifts hoping to get it all done before midnight Christmas morning, there is this doubt, this darkness that overcomes us. Surely this will be the end. Surely I won't be able to make this deadline. Yet, we make it through. We see a light again and it is as if that darkness never plagued us. Like the good ol' phrase of God never giving us more than we can handle. The darkness never overcame that light. We see it through, with His guidance, love, and encouragement, we are able to see that light through the darkness.
The darkness may seem overwhelming. You may need help finding the light. But, from my experience, once you find the light, it only gets brighter and brighter. And there is much joy in that.
May you concur any darkness in your life and see the bright light waiting for you.
Woo!
Mary Taylor
P.S.
I am also following this prayer schedule. Here's the first prayer:
Lord God, we thank you for Christmas and its message of how, in Jesus Christ, you came to live with us and die for us.
This
Christmas, we pray for those people who, having once known what
Christmas means, have forgotten it. May they recover its truth.
This Christmas, we pray for those people who have never known what Christmas means. May they discover its truth.
This Christmas, we pray for those of us who know Jesus, that we would, by our living and speaking, uncover its truth for others.
Amen.
Rev Canon J John
