Looking back over the last five years, it feels like a blur. The combination of major life changes and loss, mixed with dreams and an open heart brought me to where I am today. There was no magic formula. Many times I believed “stuck” was where I would end up in the “not yet” where waiting stretched and yawned into another day of waiting.
The season was marked by wishing, waiting, and willingness. Somedays all three converged in a happy melody. Other days the waiting far outweighed the other two. Now as I stand on the other side of those five years, I see more clearly. Life is a series of steps that lead us through seasons where wishes are born, waiting grows us into who God created us to be, and nothing exists without a willingness to persevere through the hard.
The Wish
Children wish upon a star or the fluff of a dandelion before it is blown across the yard. Then you become an adult and your wishes slowly find their way to the surface but don’t always look like you imagined when they arrive.
I took a deep dive into Advent five years ago. It seemed fitting and opened a door to purpose as I pushed back against the challenges that weighed me down. In this place of awakening, my soul stirred with the possibilities of living Advent with intentionality and purpose. An endeavor not just marked by the four weeks leading up to Christmas, but for a lifetime.
Three years ago, the seed for this book, The Advent Narrative, was planted. After sharing the idea with a few trusted friends and family members, I let it go almost as quickly. But God’s good ideas don’t just disappear. He pursued me and never let me forget the seed of the Advent message that He planted in my heart.
The Waiting
God takes us along a path that is perfect for us. It’s based on our life plan and choices and many times pull us into periods of waiting. As I grow older, I experience more time of waiting. Maybe, God believes I have more patience. I know that isn’t necessarily true. The experience of not knowing what is next is what I needed to develop a foundation for creating a book that expresses the wilderness season that occurs when walking through Advent.
I am the person who has trouble letting go of the familiar and comfortable. I hold on tight believing that is best. When I began to loosen my grip and explore what Advent people do, I found there was more peace on the other side.
This life of mine looks like holding on tight, waiting for the next right thing, and believing in the One who loved me enough to write me into HIS story. But what I am learning is how the grace of God prepares us for each new day, and in this time of in-between, you and I have the blessing of living daily as an Advent person—one who is expectant, hope-filled, and ready to receive the gifts of God.
The Advent Narrative
The Willingness to Persevere
Maybe you are in your own wilderness season. Maybe you are learning how to stand strong and persevere even when nothing looks familiar. Wilderness living is not for the faint of heart. It takes intentionality, patience, and perseverance.
It was only in the lowest moments that I found God was still there and He was never going to let go. He gave me the strength to keep going.
God always has an open invitation available for us to follow Him. It is free and full of the gift of grace when we say “yes.” God also invites us to walk through every chapter of our lives–the good, the hard, the challenging, the grief-filled, and joyful–as Advent people.
Let's choose wishing, waiting, and willingness this Advent and every day of our lives. God is waiting for you to say "yes" to knowing Him better and walking out a life that reflects His love. #newbookcomingsoon #TheAdventNarrative Share on XComing Next Week
This beautiful book will be available next week to buy on Amazon. Holding the book in my hands will be amazing. It is one of God’s good ideas that was ordained by Him three years ago. Seeing it come full circle is watching my wish come true. It is embracing that waiting is necessary when moving towards a finish line, and a look back shows the willingness I claimed to keep the momentum going.
Join the journey of becoming Advent people this year. Learn how to prepare your hearts, walk in expectancy, and hold onto the hope of Jesus as we wait for Him to come again. The Advent Narrative: The Life You Didn’t Know You Were Already Living will be available November 10 in e-book or paperback.
Let’s choose wishing, waiting, and willingness this Advent and every day of our lives. God is waiting for you to say “yes” to knowing Him better and walking out a life that reflects His love.
The more you all share about my book, the more people will have the opportunity to engage in its message. Please take a minute and share it on your favorite social media platforms.
Thank you,
Enjoy a synopsis of the book HERE.
I’ve been looking forward to ordering the book when it’s available on Amazon, Mary. Now more than ever, after reading this. 🙂
Your words are so affirming. The message of the book is one of hope and perseverance, which is not new until I set it in Advent and encourage the reader to live an Advent life. You can buy your own book in just a few days.
I love how God has led you on this journey, and I know your book will bless many others this Advent!
It has definitely been a journey. However, when God ordains an idea, will walk with you till you reach the finish line.
Congrats, Mary, on you new book. Love the dreamy look of the cover. Waiting can be such a large part of our life. But much good can come from it.
The book is beautiful and I am thrilled that the message is ready for others to read. Thank you for your encouragement.
Mary, how exciting that you have a second book coming out! I am gleaning from its pages and meditating on thriving in the “not yet.” So many beautiful thoughts, Mary!
It is exciting and I am so grateful that God led me through this process. I am blessed you are part of the launch team.
I would add one more “W” to your list, Mary – Wisdom. You certainly have found wisdom through your wishing, waiting, and willingness. Many make the mistake of getting stuck on wishing, but don’t have the patience or perseverance to make dreams come true.
Wisdom is another great “W” to add. Thanks be to God for granting me His wisdom to write the words and to persevere to completion. It’s good seeing you today, Laurie.
His timing is perfect! Looking forward to adding your Advent whispers to my reading this year!
I agree! God knows, sees, and leads us where we need to go at just the right time. I can’t wait to hear what you think of the book.
Mary, excitedly waiting for the release of your book! I love the thought of being an Advent person each and every day! And the thought of “holding onto hope” as we wait for Jesus to come again. Thank you for this lovely treasure!
Hi Donna! Thank you for stopping by! Advent is my favorite liturgical season. It takes us through four weeks on the calendar but so much more if we apply the principles to our whole life.
Mary,
This is how I want to live: “living daily as an Advent person—one who is expectant, hope-filled, and ready to receive the gifts of God.” Happy to be part of your launch team and I so needed a new resource to prepare my heart during Advent. Your book makes me enjoy the waiting!
Blessings,
Bev xx
I want to live my life as a person of Advent, too. I feel I need those attributes now more than ever. I am honored to have you on my team, Bev! Thank you for your “yes.” It means so much to me.
Good morning, Mary … this, right here, touched my heart –> ‘seasons where wishes are born.’
What a gentle invitation to re-think how we look at this particular season we’re now in … with hope and anticipation and confidence in who God is.
Your book was meant for such a season as this.
Thank you for your encouragement. I believe God prepared me to not only write this message but share at this exact time. Thank you for cheering me on, dear friend!
It is a beautiful book, Mary. You are also reminding me to push through the hard, when in a period of waiting. I’ve been in waiting for about four years now & learning to how unstick from any feelings of being stuck!
Thank you, Lynn! It means a lot to know that my book is speaking to you. I pray you continue to hear from God throughout its pages.