Week 3 of Advent has flown by for me. Has it for you? How is your Advent season going (besides it going by quickly)?How are you celebrating Advent? Are you able to make time to slow down, to focus on the waiting, the preparation, and the expectation that Advent offers us? If so, that's great. If not, then know that there is no condemnation. Truly there are no expectations for Advent other than the coming of the Christ child.
I was able to go walk and pray a labyrinth today. I went to the Burks UMC labyrinth this afternoon before the sun starting going down. It was turning a bit cooler again, but the sunshine and fresh air felt great.
I took this week's word into the labyrinth with me-- "joy". I also took a small bottle of bubbles. Bubbles give me joy. Yes, you read that correctly. It bears repeating. Bubbles give me joy. I blew some bubbles as I started the journey, but found that it was becoming colder by the minute. I was having difficulty blowing the bubbles.
I put the bubbles away and focused on the path.
As I rounded the turn on the outside portion of the labyrinth, I was very glad that my eyes were on the path and I was aware of my surroundings. Because of that, I was able to avoid a horrible misstep into a pile of poop. Yes, you read that correctly. There was a pile of poop on the path.
Oddly enough (or maybe not), that caused me to reflect on life's path and how there is poop along it. When we are aware of our surroundings and keep our eyes open, we are more likely to avoid the poop, whatever that might be.
When I arrived in the center, I spent some time blowing bubbles and found that I had to modify how I was getting air to the bubble wand. Who knew that cold lips could prevent good bubble blowing.
There were other things that came to mind that bring me joy: friends, family, community, serving others, the outdoors... it's interesting how reflecting on joy and the things that bring us joy can bring us joy in the moment. It's difficult to not have joy when our focus and perspective is on such things.
Choosing joy doesn't necessarily mean everything is going to be all "bubbly". However, it's a perspective that will guide us. Much like that deep peace that passes all understanding, joy can run deep. It has roots that spread out and can sustain us through much of life's situations.
Joy is a response. It's a way of being. It's a gift. Joy is something that we can offer others and receive from others.
May joy be a part of your daily journey, as well as your Advent adventure.
Rev. Deb
AN ADVENTLINK:
A Labyrinth Prayer Journey Through Advent-- Joy
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