Monday, December 31, 2007

2008 Blessings


Outside, another storm coats each tree branch in splendid white frosting. I sip tea and reflect, on this New Year's Eve, on the blessings of my life. A warm house, enough food, my family, and a job I enjoy. But beyond these basics, I have been blessed by the struggles.

For some of you, 2007 was a difficult year. Others of us found joyful moments tucked amongst the challenges. When we engage in deep soul work, when we invite God to meet us in our weakness and allow him to "search and know" us, we often find that digging through our rough exterior of excuses and rationalizations leaves us feeling tender, exposed.

What will 2008 bring? what are your dreams, hopes? Are you willing to respond to God's invitation to know and be known more deeply? To say yes to relationship with God means saying yes to facing the truth about ourselves--but knowing that even as we face it, we are deeply and unconditionally loved.


God is always working. The photo above is of my garden. Although it seems as if nothing is growing right now, God is at work: nourishing the soil with the snow, replenishing the perennials with rest. Even in seasons of our lives when all seems dead and cold, so much is going on--God continues to work. Our spirits are formed not by our own efforts, but by the work of God's spirit in us. There is a time to plant, and a time to harvest. And a time to rest.

My prayer is that you would rest in the quiet of winter, and seek the intimacy of God's presence.

Blessings

Keri

3 comments:

Dianne said...

Good post about resting and realizing God is always at work. 2007 wasn't my finest but looking back, I can see God at work.

Keri Wyatt Kent said...

God is always working, whether we see it, feel it, or not.
growth comes when we trust that work is going on, despite the fact that we cannot see it.

Danica Favorite said...

Keri, that's beautiful!i