Expectations

I placed another semester under my belt. My wife has been awesome. I had to write a 10 page paper for my final in Ecclesiology. After reading several books and handouts, I had to come up with what I think is a healthy Ecclesiology as well as practices that uphold that view. Because I work all day and have to drive to Nashville, my days were shot. I had to write my paper at home, after work, not to mention I hadn't seen Jennifer all day. She was so supportive of me working on this paper. We didn't get to spend a lot of time together this past week, but she was the encouragement I needed. After several hours and over 12 pages later, I finished.

So I have another 15 hours of credit to finish my masters degree, which means more long nights and time away from my precious wife. I guess this is the price you have to pay for extending your education all the while being married. I can't imagine if I had kids right now.

On another subject, I attended an Advent worship service at work which was geared towards the "emerging" style of worship. It was really good and quite simple. A girl played guitar and sang one song. We had a congregational reading. Then a lady said a few things on expecting Jesus this year. Since Advent is grounded in the period of waiting for a Messiah, expectations play a big part in the story. Afterwards, there was a table with Scriptures from John the Baptist, Isaiah and photographs depicting issues such as unity, celebration, justice and love. After we walked by the table and lit a candle, we sang O Come, O Come Emmanuel and the same girl passed the peace. Then it was over. It taught me to be expectant this season. Not for my own selfishness or gain, but for God's reign to come. For his justice and mercy to rule over this land. For the Kingdom to come and his will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.