Moving

The day that this post goes live, I am helping my sister move. Even though we’re only moving her 19 miles, all of her things needs to be packed up in boxes and bags, and then loaded into a moving truck. And since these posts are written ahead of time, I don’t know if I’ll be hauling those boxes through snow or frigid winds or a nice, sunny day.

While moving can mean physically hauling stuff, it is also the word we use when something deeply affects us on an emotional level, such as a moving book or piece of music. During Advent, we hear the call for our souls to be moved: to be more loving, compassionate, and joyful. But just like moving house, moving our souls comes with a lot of extra baggage.

Past events can trigger anxiety or worry about opening ourselves up to love. Experiences of our compassion being rebuffed or returned with cruelty can make us wonder whether we ought to bother sharing it. Memories of a lost relationship can change from joy to wistful longing once that person is gone, making us hesitant to form new memories.

We are invited to leave this baggage, all of our concerns, worries, and doubts, with God through prayer. God will take up all of it and lighten our hearts. And with our hearts so lightened, we will find it easier to be moved this Advent to the life of grace, love, and joy that God desires for us.