Adventing: Resting in Christ

Have you ever taken on projects that normally would be too much, but you're still managing to get things accomplished peacefully? Over the past few weeks, my plate seems to becoming more and more full.  Yet, this Advent still seems to be more intentional slower when compared to years past.

Why is that?  I'm not really sure.  On top of the normal day to day of keeping everyone mostly safe, relatively clean, kind of fed, and somewhat educated, I have been given opportunities to grow in faith, fellowship, service, and my own education.  Over the last few weeks I have entered into this new kind of peaceful busyness. .  if there is such a thing.  

Currently, I am admin-ing two Facebook groups.  These are not solo endeavors; I'm working with some fantastic ladies!  But, there is a bit of personal time devoted to it.  One is the Catholic Peg Doll Swap group, with two other ladies. I get to serve women who want to share the faith with their families through crafts in a way they might not be able to otherwise.  The other is the Catholic Woman Scopes group where I work alongside of Amber the nurturing pioneer, Sterling the encouraging evangelist, Ashley the philosophical apologist. We are just building a community with Periscope to grow in faith and fellowship with other women.  And I'm trying to educate myself in Catholicism, classical education, social media, and how to be an adult while trying to remain a good wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.  Not to give you my laundry list, but to let you know I'm being pulled in ways I've never been pulled before.  

I'm #Adventing with Ashley and we are reading The Joy of Advent with Saint Benedict.  Each day, we the book provides us with the gospel, a quote from St. Benedict, a reflection, and a prayer.  Today's short gospel spoke to me.

"Jesus said to the crowds: 'Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and will find rest for yourselves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.'"  Matthew 11: 28-30

And the St. Benedict quote paired with this gospel was incredible as well.  He basically said to be obedient in the fight for Christ.  He called obedience a "powerful and shining weapon".  Obedience would be fulfilling God's will, would it not?  In the reflection portion, it is reemphasized that we are to pick up Jesus' yoke, but not put ours down by carrying both we can see we can see the light of God.  When we are obediently following God’s will, we are resting in Christ.  Our burdens remain our burdens, but the burden is light. And then we can find peace.

Maybe that is what I’m experiencing, right now?  This peaceful busyness?  

This post is apart of the Blessed Is She #BISsisterhood link-up.  Please head over there to see what others have to say this week about PEACE. 

Add caption

Kicking off Advent with St. Benedict

Image found at Roaming Catholic

Several weeks ago when Ashley at Between the Linens asked if I would be interested in joining her in reading a book during Advent, I jumped in and said yes.  One, because she’s awesome. And two, I’m pretty sure the Holy Spirit uses my spontaneity to work through me; otherwise I would never make a decision to do anything that may seem challenging.

After saying yes to this project, I realized what I was saying yes to, and I would be lying if didn’t admit to being intimidated.  This is out of my comfort zone.  I lack understanding, vocabulary, and confidence. I said yes and before I knew it, I was putting it out publicly that I was taking this on with Ashley.  So here I am, at the beginning of Advent and a new year in the Church with little to offer other than the journey that God has prepared for me. . .us. . . this season.

We are using The Joy of Advent with St. Benedict. I know very little about St. Benedict; after reading his brief history chapter, I can see why I did not connect with him sooner. His Rule of Life goes against every natural tendency that I possess.  His rule is something I don’t really want to live by but I recognize that slowing down, prioritizing, creating order, and taking the time to contemplate is something I need in my home and prayer life.  Being a Christian is hard, especially when we acknowledge that something must change even when we are comfortable with how things are. However, the change is necessary  in order to grow in our faith.

So readers, ‘scopers, ‘grammers, tweeters, and facebookers, I’m beginning the journey completely aware that you are probably further down the path that I am.  Hopefully, we can learn and grow within this beautiful community.