This advent season has been different for me so far. I know we are only a few days into the season, but gosh it’s already been so good for my heart. It’s been more reflective of the gifts He has given me over the years. I’m not talking about physical gifts. I’m talking about answered prayers, people, and memories. I’m talking about tangibly seeing and feeling His goodness. 

In the past I have set out a goal to complete an Advent reading, but I never made it through. This year I picked out two, unintentionally. My husband and I decided to go through one together. We chose the plan that the SheReadsTruth community is doing. After committing to this,  I saw that Hannah Brencher was sending readings to subscribers via email for her Advent plan and I knew I just had to sign up. This is the intentional time with Jesus my heart has been longing for during this season. In the past week both these plans have challenged me to really reflect on the ways I’ve seen God present in 2021. Whether this year was filled with celebrations, hardships, or a mixture of both -  God showed up and He did things in and around my life that cannot be discounted. Even if the circumstances in my life was completely devastating, He is always good. We are called to give thanks for what He does for us and through us. When we live in faith, we see the goodness of what He has done and have hopes for what He will do. 

“Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.” James 1:17-18

This advent I am clinging to this verse in James. He is the Father of lights and He doesn’t change. He is steady. He is constant. He outshines the darkness. The greatest gift He gave us was the birth of his Son, Jesus Christ. The same Son that was crucified on a cross. The same Son that died for my sins and for yours. It’s because of these truths that I can look back on this year in reflection and be thankful. It’s because of the truth that He is the light that I can look back on this year and be in awe of His goodness. 

This advent season I’m challenging myself to go back and list all the prayers He has answered for me. This could be, bringing the sunshine on a day where I really needed it, providing a conversation I so desperately needed, healing my heart in ways I never thought possible, or someone showing up in a tangible way. I’m challenging you to do the same.

As we prepare and make room for Him to be born, let’s sit and take time to reflect on all He has done. Advent isn’t just about preparing room for Him, it’s also about remembering all the ways He shows up and provides, about giving thanks for His coming and rejoicing in all that’s in between. 

xoxo, 

Rachel Marie