This past weekend, I was invited to partake in the advent activities at our church.  Every week for the past month, someone has shared a reading while other participants light one of the advent candles.  Our themes over the past few weeks have been time, openness, untamed and for this last week: with.

Here is the reading:

“I am waiting in a silent prayer. I am frightened by the load I bear. In a world cold as stone, must I walk this path alone? Be with me now. Be with me now.  Breathe of Heaven.”  Mary’s words sung by Amy Grant, are haunting in this advent season.

She didn’t ask to have this load taken off of her.  She didn’t pray for God to change the plan – she told the messenger angel: “May it be as you have said.”  In that instant the expectations of her life forever changed. Read More »