Advent Devotional by Laura Rodgers

Philippians 4:4-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6

Anxiety. I’m feeling it. My kids are too. These are uncertain times with a lot of events going on that we haven’t lived through before.

The theme for this week of Advent, Rejoicing in the Desert, resonates with me. As my kids get older, their problems get bigger. We lost my husband Gary’s mom, Wilma, two years ago. Gary has faced serious health problems.  Our jobs have changed. We have lived through a pandemic and the unsettled state of our country and world events. This often feels like the desert.

But the Bible verse above reminds me to not be anxious about these things. I need to rejoice in the desert. When my mind races from one responsibility to the next, I take a deep breath and focus on one of the things I’m thankful for. With Christmas all around this month, I tune into a favorite song or go for a walk around the square or the William Jewell quad, taking in the lights and the crisp night air. I watch a classic holiday movie with my family or call a friend and laugh about our memories. These are ways of rejoicing.

This verse also reminds us to give our requests to God. As I talk to my daughters about their big problems, I’ve learned that they need to hear my calm voice. Sometimes they let me hold their hand. We can figure out a way to handle the problem. Sometimes my 7th grader and my high school freshman will even accept a hug. What a feeling that is as a parent – feeling them release their stress into me through a hug.

God wants us all to do the same. With thanksgiving, we are to present our requests – our anxious thoughts and feelings - to God. It’s one way I can experience Christmas with a lighter heart this year. I wish the same for you.

Laura Rodgers