A Yes To Divine Birthing

#SACREDYES #NEWLIFE #HOLYINVITATIONSs #SPIRITUALJOURNEY #SPIRITUALINTERRUPTIONS

In this season of Advent, leading up to Christmas, we may find ourselves pondering Mary's visitation from the Angel Gabriel and find ourselves marveling at her "Sacred Yes." So much of history pivoted in this Holy Moment. She was young and had plans for her future, when all of a sudden the Angel Gabriel shows up and tells her she is highly favored of the Lord. What?

Mary goes through a process on her way to her "Sacred Yes." First she is troubled and confused; this is even before the angel mentions what will happen to her. Then the angel tells her not to be afraid and that she would become pregnant with the Son of God. Then Mary questions how, since she is a virgin. The how, Angel Gabriel explains, is by the power of God through the Holy Spirit and also shares how her cousin Elizibeth who was barren is in her sixth month. Nothing is impossible with God. After this process, Mary now says yes.

We may not have dramatic angelic encounters, or maybe we will. Perhaps these encounters and invitations come to those who are awake and aware. The invitations to a "Sacred Yes" could come in a variety of ways. Often these invitations will at first cause us to be excited, scared or confused. We may ask (how) questions because Divine Invitations might take us into unknown territory and require a good bit of adjustments in life. We might receive answers we can say yes to right away or we may struggle or ask more questions for awhile. Then once we do say yes we may want to back track, kind of like a buyer's remorse. What on earth did I get myself into! We are very likely going to bump up against challenges and fears as we move forward into this Divine Birthing and may even have more yes's required within the initial yes along the way. We may also have to say some no's to other things we have been doing in order to stay on track.

This year I said yes to Co Authoring a book about Sacred Story and Spiritual Practices. This invitation came from an author I know and trust. I have never written a book before so this was a big leap of faith for me. Now I am having to say another yes within the first yes to the vulnerable process of pre launching the book and asking for reviews. I have never found ease in promoting or sharing about my ministry as a Spiritual Director and Coach and now I will need an extra level of courage to step way out of my comfort zone and ask folks to pre read and review our book. Ultimately, this book belongs to God and is about God tranforming our lives and the lives of those who will engage in the readings, reflections, and spiritual practices; so I need to remember that God will be with me in the process. This process has been a Divine Birthing within me and will be a gift of Divine Birthing and transformation for those who journey with the book and journal.

• In this season of Advent, have you noticed or experienced Divine inturuptions and invitations?

• If you have, how have you responded?

• Have Divine Invitations to "Sacred Yes's" come to you in your life from unlikely people and places and at unexpected times?

• Perhaps this New Year you long to go Deeper with God into a transforming life. Feel free to contact me to discover more about the gift of Spiritual Direction or Coaching or to check out our new book and become a Beta Reader.

May you discover Awe and Wonder this Advent and New Year and may you be Awake to Divine Invitations & Interuptions, ready for your Holy Birthing as you say YES!