Advent week 2

Alright, so last week I committed myself to an awkward (embrace the awkward!) comparison of advent to the purchase of the manliest of garage tools, an air compressor.  So, here we are, week 2, and it's time to continue milking this one for all it's worth.

Last week I wrote about needing to do a little purge of the junk in the garage to make room for the compressor, and compared it to purging our conscience through reconciliation at the beginning of advent (I'm not gonna lie, I kept the pickaxe... WHO WOULDN'T!).  Now I have this beautiful space in my workshop, ready for the compressor to come in and fill it.  Here's the problem, empty space gets filled fast.  I'll give you an example.  I cleaned off the workbench to be able to tune some skis.  It was so nice and clean, and empty.  Within 20 minutes, I swear it was messier than before.  Tools, clothes, food, an old sink I found in the alley, some empty brass from my rifle... you name it, it was on the bench, cluttering my formerly, and gloriously clean space.

I can't speak for everyone, but that is kind of a theme for my life, space is never left empty.  Free time?  New hobby.  Clean shelf?  New toy.  Clean space in the garage?  New clutter!  I think it's common enough that we fill our empty space.

This is a bit of a problem, but an even bigger opportunity after receiving the sacrament of reconciliation.  After we purge all the garbage from our hearts, we have an empty space.  The challenge is that there is no shortage of stuff that we can fill it with.  The opportunity is that we can fill it with something awesome.  It's not good enough to just clear that space out, we need to make sure it stays that way, as best we can.  We need to fill the space with something that will hold it open for us, to allow God's grace to fully occupy it, and prevent the clutter of sin.  I know for me, that thing is prayer.  Advent is a time for increased prayer, to invite God into our lives.  It's something I'm admittedly bad at doing regularly.  My relationship with prayer is a lot like my relationship with the gym.  I want to go, I want the benefits, I have good intentions, I feel good when I do it, but for some reason I don't make it as often as I should.  Advent has a nice reminder built in though.  The advent wreath is a daily reminder of the season, and a call to fill that empty space with prayer, in preparation for the celebration of Christmas.

So, what are you filling your nice, clean, empty space with?