Ok, so it's been a few days since I posted last, and I think I'm about due for an update since that last post. Like I said, it was a very self-centered post, but it was fairly relieving to write it down, even though I was in a not so happy mood at the time. But, here's what's happened since then. I went to the Advent service at Risen Christ Lutheran church here in Colorado and once again, God provided me with exactly what I needed. It was such a good church service and I had the great privilege of going with my parents and my two good friends David and Diana. For those of you who may not know. Advent is the four weeks before Christmas that is meant to be a time of preparation for the coming of the Savior. During the service, I started thinking about how advent would tie into what I had been feeling. So what did I figure out? WELL, Advent is a time to prepare your heart, right? Prepare it for what? For the coming of Christ. The coming of Salvation. Not at all saying that we can prepare our own hearts for salvation, only Christ can give salvation and wash away all of our sins and shortcomings, what do I do? Well other than preparing to offer my life, I can't do anything. The comments that I got from the last post were exactly the reminders that I needed. One of the hymns we sang at the Advent service was Lift Up Your Heads Ye Mighty Gates, I'm pretty sure not many people are familiar with this one but one of the verses is:
Fling wide the portals of your heart,
Make it a temple set apart
From earthly use for Heaven's employ,
Adorned with prayer, and love, and joy.
Hymns are such a blessing to me. There is so much depth to so many different hymns. Words of comfort, encouragement, and words that focus my attention back to God. If you don't pay attention to the words when you sing hymns, try it. The only way that I can think to describe it is a blessing. So, anyway, the church service was amazing and I am not wallowing anymore. Thank you David and Collin, you guys are both amazing friends and I really appreciate everything. Jeff, I look forward to hearing from you soon, I pray that your surgery went well and I really can't wait to see the bowl cut =D I hope everyone is doing very well, and remember God's goodness always.