Thankful for Advent

One of the new things that I am experiencing this year is Advent. To tell the truth, I wasn't all that sure what Advent was until I started reading about it online. The internet is the bastion for all knowledge nowadays. But, when I want to learn about something, I go to Wikipedia. Their article on Advent is pretty good. It doesn't give a Christian perspective, but it gives the facts. I didn't see where it mentions fasting from something during the season of Advent, but that is something that me and my wife are doing (along with others we know). My family's sacrifice this year is sodas of any nature. Thats tough since I am used to drinking like 3 a day and my wife is the same way. One of my close friends, Drew, mentioned that not only is he trying to give up something, but start something new. I have taken that to heart as well. So, not only are we giving up sodas, but I felt the desire to recommit ourselves to seeking God. I have always been mindful of prayer and its importance as an intimate moment that we share and have done so every night since we have been dating. However, when we got married, I never focused on a morning prayer time for us to commit our lives to God's service for the day. Thats something I feel very drawn to and hope to make that something new for us to do.

The other major even this time of year is Thanksgiving. I am very thankful this year. I don't think its cause I have more than I have ever had. I think it has more to do with the fact that I acknowledge God's grace a little more than I ever have though. I am blessed with a loving wife and a wonderful new marriage. I will have that for the rest of my life and I know that I will be thankful for that for the rest of my life. While I have always been thankful for my parents and their loving nature, I am even more appreciative of them for all that they have done. Its like the light finally clicked for me. It was always this gut reaction to their goodness, but I never understood as well as I do now. And I am sure that I will look back on this moment a few years from now and realize how little I got at this point. That is one of the amazing things about parents, you are always finding new levels of respect and admiration for them, at least I am. There are numerous examples of this type of revelation going on with me recently. Of course, the most prevalent is about God and His desire for us. I never realized how great the path of God could be. I heard it and thought that it might be true, but its more wonderful to experience it.

Ok, I am basically rambling, but we all tend to do that when we are excited about something. Thats new to me as well, being excited about God. There are so many times in the past when I allowed God to use a revival or a youth trip or whatever to help ignite the fire inside me. I would be so set on following him and slowly the embers faded and I was back to wondering where it all was and if it was all worth it. However, with new understanding, I am developing something more real and more constant than I have ever had before. Its great. I am never proud of the life that I used to lead, but am thankful that it makes me appreciate the desire of God for me.

So, while the Thanksgiving season is here and we all take a few moments to say our thanks, I just wanted to reflect on those things that I am utterly floored by this year. I will be suffering without any Mountain Dew or Pepsi or any sodas of any sort this year, but I will be seeking God each morning with my wife. Have a great holiday!