My comments on the guide questions. The daily prayer guide at the start of the Advent until today has been very helpful to get me through the difficulties - ending a relationship and losing a job (by March). The turn of events have been painful, hurting and sad..Through prayers, journals, and support of loved ones, I know that I have slowly moved on and through God's grace started to pick up the broken pieces of my life. As I start 2010, I want to experience breakthroughs (no matter how small) in my life and God as my partner. Recently, I have started with Gratitude journal and I have shared it with loved ones and friends and received positive responses from them. The inspirational readings that i surf in the web like gratitude, find minds etc continue to help me to be positive in all my experiences. I know the journey for breakthroughs will not be all roses but I firmly believe God will always be there for me to keep me back on track, to help me bring about total conversion of heart.

Being a part of this community has been wonderful. Being able to pray for others - sensing their pain - and taking it to the Father - it lightened my load/concerns. It is always good to go to the Father. Thanks Beth for the words each day, for the pictures - and the thought provoking questions. May all who have participated experience the "unclutteredness" as we move into 2010.

The Uncluttered Heart has been a blessing. To spend time apart and just be open to God's Spirit during the hectic times during Advent has been both enlightening and healing. The challenge is to keep spending time with God, in quiet reflection. I pray that 2010 will be a year of discovery on my faith journey. To be open and receptive to God's Spirit working in my life.

I scaled down Xmas this year even buying a large plant instead of a tree. Fewer and more affordable gifts. Even decided to have surgery during this period. The meditations helped me focus on the real deal, a magnificent birth bringing hope. I do feel hopeful as I enter a new year and era trusting that God will nudge me towards goodness.

For many reasons (some shared, others not) the Christmas season is bittersweet for me. Our family decision to focus completely on others needs this year and this book study have helped me turn a corner in my journey - it is now easier to think of others first and take their needs to God in prayer; helping me to become more cloaked in God's love and mercy than I realized. I have always been one to love these 12 days after Christmas Day as my birthday is 1/7 and my family has always celebrated it with as much passion as if it weren't 2 weeks after the holiday. This year, I anticipate that birthday even more armed with the strength this community has given me - truly one of the best birthday gifts ever!

Thank you for blessing us with your insights. They have been enlightening and thought-provoking, giving me a short but full message to take into my day with the Lord.

The variety and brevity of focused thots and prayers have truly met a need in my full life as a church musician/director. I am filled with gratitude. Sharing the journey with others on this comment page has filled me with the hope and joy of how broad, high wide and deep is God's love.... and also His family worldwide.

Beth, thank you for your transparency in today's post.... You will be held in my heart and prayers regularly for this new season and transition in your life. We don't choose the pain, but it shapes and transforms us, as we obediently take up the cross He asks of us. You are a daughter of courage and hope, even in the midst of sadness and suffering. Thank you for that.

Blessings, joy in 2010..... onward and upward!!

"farther up and farther in" !

I want to thank you Beth as well for sharing your reflections with us along with your message this morning. I will be praying for you as you begin this year anew. My prayer is that I am able to reconnect with God on a level that I have not been able to do so in a long time and I am not really sure why. My intentions are there, my desire is there but I just don't "feel" that connection as much as I used to. Being a mother of two young boys on my own and working full time obviously have something to do with that but I also am trying to unclutter my heart to be able to hear and feel God in my life more deeply. These daily reflections, the prayer and the song were a step in the right direction... I wish we could continue these reflections throughout the year. I definitely am interested in looking into some of the books highlighted in the posts and look forward to a sense of peace and renewal that I struggle to attain. Blessings to all of you and thank you Beth once again.

Thank you to all of you for your honesty and transparency. And we are doubly blessed to have two "beth a richardsons" on this discussion board. I pray for you, Beth, in your seeking life with God as your partner.

This experience of writing the book and sharing it with all of you has indeed been a blessing to me. I have been busier and more cluttered that I would like to be, but that's what life is about.

I've met and heard from people all over the world and I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. I am looking forward with anticipation and a little anxiety at my work with The Upper Room this year. We'll be doing some updates on the website and hiring new staff. I would love to have your prayers for guidance as I lead this process.

Blessings, friends,
Beth
beth@betharichardson.com

Today's theme "In the steady flow of the spirit" reminds me of a story I was told, I think from Native American folklore. It's about traveling down a river with (many) others. The idea is not to cling to the riverbank, but to let go, lift your head up, pay attention to those around you and travel the journey "well" with the companions you find around you. This journey of Advent for me has kept me connected to companions I didn't know I have. Praise God for all who have been with me in the river this past month. You are all in my prayers as you face the blessings and challenges ahead in 2010. I hope you'll pray for me, too.

Oh, thank you for clarifying that there were TWO Beth Richardsons! I had no idea, but the clarity is helpful! I will keep praying for you BOTH ! :0)

I have LOVED this study and forum. It kept me anchored pre-Christmas when stress and anxiety *could have* run high, given the personal circumstances of my life right now. It has also blessed me post-Christmas as this is the first time I can ever recall continuing a quiet celebration through Epiphany.

What's gone especially well has been my holding the peace (and so, hopefully, being better able to pass it on) during this season. The challenge has been not always being able to start my day w/"The Uncluttered Heart" reading, which is what I prefer, but - some days are like that!

I'd like to join the chorus of readers who have requested a Lenten study from you, Beth! Or, maximally, something ongoing through the year!

Thank you all for being part of this journey. God bless you till we meet again.

The flow of God's Spirit, like the flow of a stream or a river or the flow of anything, seeks the path of least resistance. God's Spirit is wiling to take me anywhere that I don't throw up barriers. And when I do put up a barrier, He just takes another route to get to my heart. It would much easier if I would just stop swimming against the current and go with the flow.

And that's what this place has helped me to do -- unclutter the stream so that it flows more freely. Like you said, Beth, it can be a wild ride sometimes, but if the waters were always still, I might not be as excited to see where the ride will take me.

So thank you, Beth, for this site, for your guidance along this journey, and to all who came along to share. You have all been a blessing. May we all know God's hope, peace, joy, and love, and may it be born anew in our hearts each day.

I am so grateful to have picked up this book at a local bookstore in mid-November. The words have guided me through these weeks in comforting, challenging, celebratory ways. I will dearly miss the richness of the pages written each day. God has used you Beth. Be encouraged in your giftedness and the timely touch of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings,
Juanita

Thank you to everyone who shared here. God Bless. The new year awaits, as does GOD, with open arms!! Let us go forward with hope and joy.