By Sammie Gallo, Creator and Author of Abundant Life: You Were Made for More
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 7:7
This weekend at Church, my pastor reminded me of a simple Truth that I so many times forget. God remembers.
God remembers. Throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament, we see proof that God remembers people, He remembers their circumstances, and He sees us in every moment. He never forgets us. He never forgets the injustices that we suffer from. He never forgets the promise for justice that He makes in the middle of them. That is something my heart needs this Advent, and I hope your heart receives it too. God knows you. God sees you. God hears you. God is not absent – He is present. God is with you. God remembers you.
John, the Gospel writer, said something similar. Having actually walked in step with the Light of the World, Jesus, he described Jesus this way: “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness and yet the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:5
Do you feel like there are shadows in your life? Does the darkness threaten you like it has every man and woman before you? Then this Advent season is for you. The first promise that Advent offers is for you. Because the good news is that Jesus came into the world – just as John testified. Just like Isaiah promised. Because of the baby born in Bethlehem, you don’t have to live in darkness anymore.
When you read that, do you believe it is true, yet do you still feel the shadows around you? Then the promise of the second Advent is for you too. Because the very good news is that the baby born in Bethlehem – Jesus – the light of the World- will return like He promised He would. And when He does, there will be no more darkness, not even any shadows. His light is so far reaching that when He returns, the world will not need “the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God [will illuminate] it, and its lamp [will be] the lamb.” Revelation 21:23
As Isaiah 60:19 says: “The Lord will be your everlasting light.” May this promise pierce your soul as you walk in the world today.
The candles on the Advent wreath symbolize hope, love, joy and peace. My hope this Advent season is the hope, love, joy, and peace would radiate in your home. That you would feel the love of the Spirit tangibly in your life, and that you would remember – God sees you, knows you, loves you, is with you, and He remembers you.
Sammie graduated from Robert Morris University in 2017 with a background in biology and psychology and started working with Anglicans for Life (AFL) shortly after. In addition to her work with AFL, she spends time speaking to high schoolers about healthy relationships and sex education, as well as homeschooling for a family in her community.
Sammie married her best friend, Juan Gallo, in May 2019. During her free time, you can find her leading youth ministry with her husband at their church, where he serves as the youth pastor, and caring for their sweet baby girl who joined their family in August 2020.
Sammie spends her day-to-day making sure that every person hears and believes the words: “you were made for more.” You can follow Sammie on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! She’d love to get to know you!