{"id":309,"date":"2012-12-20T01:01:05","date_gmt":"2012-12-20T01:01:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=309"},"modified":"2012-12-13T19:40:32","modified_gmt":"2012-12-13T19:40:32","slug":"advent-2012-what-do-you-really-want","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2012\/12\/advent-2012-what-do-you-really-want.html","title":{"rendered":"Advent 2012: What Do You Really Want?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Image courtesy of nuchylee\/FreeDigitalPhotos.net<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Advent Day 19: What do you really want?<\/p>\n

As the days move swiftly to Christmas, we might get caught up in the undeniably enticing world of gift-giving and gift-getting. Whether at a gift swap at church or between two family members or friends, giving and receiving has become integral to this time of year.<\/p>\n

Someone has probably asked you already: What do you really want? A new car? Clothes? The latest electronic toy? Peace on earth? Or, something else?<\/p>\n

Often, it isn’t something tangible that we desire from one another. It is something that money cannot buy. An apology. A hug. A visit. Extra time. Special care. Understanding. All of these things and others cannot be paid for with cash or wrapped up in a package. Why? Because they come from the heart.<\/p>\n

How we express our love for one another is a gift always in the making and giving.<\/p>\n

As we prepare to put a bow on the box or tear open the brightly-colored paper of something someone has present-ed us with,\u00a0 what we really want is often not something we hold, but something we experience. And these things can be given by us, too, and in so doing will return to us, re-gifted, if you will, with light and love.<\/p>\n

Blessings for the day,<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Advent Day 19: What do you really want? As the days move swiftly to Christmas, we might get caught up in the undeniably enticing world of gift-giving and gift-getting. Whether at a gift swap at church or between two family members or friends, giving and receiving has become integral to this time of year. 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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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