Humble yourself, therefore, under God's mighty hand, 
that he may lift you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:6 

Here in the Midwest, November is a month of seasonal transition. The weather turns cold, my now empty patio receives its first snow cover and I say goodbye to my cozy outside reading spot.  My favorite sweaters and long boots find their way out of the back of my closet and the  Christmas decorations are making their way into the living room. 

The anticipation of the Christmas season is already in me as I place my Advent candles on the table a week early, yet, I notice a tension in me as the earth shifts from colors of reds, oranges, and golds to the white of the snow, barren trees and the frozen ground that comes with winter.  

This tension could easily bring about a pining for warmer days of spring, but instead, I sense an invitation to relax and trust the deep hidden work that comes with this seasonal change. Just as I trust what is happening below the surface of my snow-covered gardens, winter brings a season of trusting the hand of the Lord is at work in my own heart and soul as well. 

A regular practice for me this time of year is to take an annual retreat to prayerfully connect with the Lord.  I enter this space with an openness to what work and service God has in front of me.  I also attempt to capture some of the ways God’s hand has been upon my work and ministry over the past year. God always meets me in this practice. Bringing glimpses of his deep and hidden work to the surface. I am always so grateful. 

This year I noticed how God has:  

• Guided me with an abundance of wise people who inspire and offer sound advice. 

• Protected me from attempting to operate at a pace I cannot sustain. 

• Strengthened me with a renewed sense of purpose to serve.  

• Blessed me with new opportunities to show generosity to others. 

I am curious how this is preparing me for the year ahead.  Trusting what God is up to even when I may not see it yet. The hand of the Lord; it is humbling to consider. 

As November comes to a close,  I invite each of you to join me in this act of paying attention to where you see the mighty hand of God touching your own life.  What might be happening beneath the surface that God is preparing you for? How are you trusting this deep and meaningful work? 

May we trust God's pace, be open to his care and guidance, say a prayer of gratitude and be encouraged in the mystery of it all.