Give thanks to the Lord; proclaim his name!
Make his works known among the peoples.
Declare that his name is exalted.
Isaiah 12:4
Hello sweet friends!
I am taking in the beautiful snow at Cornell University right now and just HAD to share it with you. I am parked here for a few days, awaiting a fantastic opportunity to present to a wine marketing class on Wednesday. I was initially scheduled to present today, but all classes on campus are cancelled due to the winter storm. And so I sit. And wait. And work with so much beauty surrounding me.
This month I am being guided through my devotional time by the She Reads Truth Advent plan (You can follow along online, with their app, or order super fast and soak in the print edition.)
Today’s reading included the verse above this on sharing his works, which made me want to pause and give thanks… and make His works known. I stopped and journaled my thoughts (and thanks) on that and was nudged to write here once again. It has been so very long since I’ve shared much with you and I miss it. I just haven’t jumped back into the habit— so today I’m back in, sharing, proclaiming his name and making his works known, if only a little bit.
Don’t worry, you aren’t in for a super long gratitude and thankfulness list. But I will share a touch.
I had a trip to NY planned this week, blending both an upstate trip and a trip to NYC with several moving pieces and meetings planned. For whatever reason, a big storm hit and my original plans were thwarted.
No, I don’t believe that everything happens for a reason. I do believe however that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,” as we are told in Romans 8:28.
From the very inconvenient winter storm (which I don’t believe he caused, but maybe he did), God is working out amazing gifts for me:
- The gift of a morning where I opened the curtains and couldn’t help but exclaim how beautiful it was outside.
- The gift of an afternoon to work through so many tasks uninterrupted.
- The gift of the option to pop outside and make snow angels if I want to.
- The gift of talking with so many interesting, bright Cornell students working at the Statler Hotel on campus.
- The gift of the nudging from the Holy Spirit to write here today.
Life has lots of inconveniences for whatever reason. My prayer for you today is that as you are faced with inconveniences, you are able to call on the Holy Spirit and see how he does, in fact, work things out for the good of you, one who loves him. Be aware of his gifts. And proclaim his name in them.
I am thankful you for you. And I am thankful that this inconvenience has brought us back together. Happy Advent, friends.
With love,
Amy
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