By Faith... Advent

This waiting season of Advent is gently stirring something in me.  

Under the surface of the demands, deadlines, and everydayness of this December has been a whisper I can't quite describe with words.

I hate to even try and capture my thoughts for fear of diminishing the beauty of the mystery that is stirring all around me and in the quiet of my heart, but I would also grieve just letting the moment pass by without at least mentioning the reality of faith in what I know in my heart has come near.  

There are echoes of eternity all around.

By FAITH...Advent.

How can we even try to capture the expanse of holy things and hold them in our feeble hands and hearts...these holy things slip through our fingers and move in and out of our dreams....and we miss them- this world is not our home.

It's hard to know sometimes what is a truer reality.

Thats where beauty plays a part for me...

This painting by my new friend Chi resonates deeply with my tired soul.  

This painting agrees with the Spirit in me.

By Faith...Advent.

The weeks leading to the start of this Advent season were hectic...

But one of those days has made a mark on my soul...and I won't soon forget.  

On just another normal day the kids and I stumbled across an injured baby deer...we had the privilege of wrapping him in a blanket and caring for him in his last hours. We were full of awe and wonder as we beheld this beautiful animal...wild...passing from life in this broken world and then into rest...

I was taken by the the majesty of this "other-worldly" creature... and the honor of being allowed to touch him--to stroke his face and ears;

The place where we found him is a common crossing for deer.                                        

We see them crossing there often...a passageway of sorts.

Since that day, each time I pass that spot my imagination is stirred--I find myself pondering the "Chronicles of Narnia" stories by C.S. Lewis wherein there is a passageway between this world and the magical world called Narnia.

What has captured my mind is the beauty of the two worlds meeting.

As characters from our world are introduced to the magical citizens of Narnia (mostly talking animals) there are such beautiful friendships formed. Deep and belonging friendships...the kind where there is a kindred knowing and being known....an unexplainable "other-worldly" meeting.

For the characters from our world who "stumble" into Narnia there is such a sense of deep BELONGING...

“I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now"  -C.S. Lewis.

I believe my true country is calling...gently whispering...wooing.

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for, certain of what we do not see..." Hebrews 11:1

Almost every day I struggle with belonging in this world...and know so many other friends also longing for their true home...  

Even during Advent I have had the joy of sitting with new friends I sense are not made for this place...to me (like the deer) they are "other-worldly"...they are characters in the magical story....we are made for each other, and for our Creator--our TRUE HOME.

When I saw this painting...I knew it was made for me. The unbroken gaze...summoning Here and Now...speaking of what I know in my heart is true.  

I was made for mystery...for another world.

BY FAITH...ADVENT...we are waiting. I am waiting...BY FAITH

‍

“I am [in your world].’ said Aslan. ‘But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia

‍

“I don't think it will be any good trying to go back through the wardrobe door to get coats.  You won't get into Narnia again by that route.  Nor would the coats be of much use by now if you did!  Eh?  What's that?  Yes, of course you'll get back to Narnia again some day.  Once a King in Narnia, always a King in Narnia.  But don't go trying to use the same route twice.  Indeed, don't try to get there at all.  It'll happen when you're not looking for it.”
― CS Lewis