Between Heaven + Earth: Andy Kort

The other day I noticed a small object near the front door of our house. It was a rock. More specifically, it was a small heart shaped rock sitting on a windowsill. I immediately recognized it as a rock we brought home from a beach during our family vacation in Massachusetts this past summer.

When we returned from that trip, one of the kids and I put that rock there to remind us that we are loved. And then I forgot about it and had not noticed it since. That is, until a few days ago when I noticed it again. As I did, I picked it up, looked it over, remembered, laughed to myself, and then put it back on the windowsill.

As I reflected on this tiny heart-shaped rock sitting near our front door, I thought about all of the times a symbol of love welcomed me home, and all the times it sent me on my way as I went out, even as I was unaware of it. I am reminded of God's promise in Psalm 121 to watch over our comings and our goings. I like to think that we all have reminders of God's love that is with us, that welcomes us home, and that sends us out into the world. My hope this Advent, and always, is that these reminders reveal themselves to you.

Psalm 121 “Assurance of God’s Protection”

A Song of Ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
   from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
   who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
   he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel
   will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
   the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
   nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
   he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
   your going out and your coming in
   from this time on and for evermore.