There are times when we find ourselves in seasons we might describe as desert-like.  In these times, our hearts feel spiritually dry, and life feels intense, oppressive, and lonely.  It is in these spiritual deserts that we often ask questions like, “Where are you, God? Why is this happening?”  There is no relief in sight, and we wonder if we will ever be happy again.

The Christmas season is a time of hope as we look backward at our Savior’s first advent and forward to His second advent.  We press on because we believe He is coming again to renew and restore all things. 

When my kids were little, I started a habit with them at bedtime.  We called it “Three Thankful Things.”  Every night when I tucked them in, I would ask them to tell me three things they were thankful for that day.  Some nights naming thankful things came easy to them, and other nights they did it begrudgingly.  Either way, our goal was to teach them (and me) the spiritual discipline of giving thanks in all circumstances. (1 Thess.5:18)  

January in Maine is long and cold; Christmas is over, and my house feels empty again. My college-age daughters have returned to school in another state, and I miss them. I struggle to settle into a routine after the holiday excitement of having a full house and incessant activity.

Lately, I have been in a season of distraction. It’s been a busy summer for our family with one daughter graduating from high school and our other daughter getting married, all within the span of 10 days. We have a few weeks to catch our breath and then we will move our youngest daughter to college 1,000 miles away. I have still been in the Word, doing my daily reading and regular “quiet time” routine in the morning, but my mind has not been as focused. I have been going thro