Today marks the beginning of Advent. And I stayed home with Ben as he is fighting a cold. And we waited. For Mike and Kyri to get home. For more news of the horrible slaying of four police officers near our church. And I'm waiting for a child of my own to be born and more and more aware that it will happen soon.
It is all very appropriate for Advent when we wait for the now and not yet. He has come and is still coming.
And it comes on the end of a near-perfect Thanksgiving in which we had family here and a perfect day/weekend. We enjoyed time together, loved The Blind Side, had so much food that I barely had to cook for the rest of the weekend.
But today does feel like Advent. It does feel expectant. By evening, my ankles are swelling a little and I'm so tired I don't even want to look at the stairs. And then there are the losses of the families of the slain officers. There are nine children and three spouses and so many others grieving. One of the children attends the school where my friend Amy teaches and is a classmate of her daughter. Tomorrow the pastor (it is a Lutheran school) and teachers get to talk with the children and work with a variety of emotions.
We wait without knowing how long we will have to wait. I am sure I will deliver this child within the month but I can't predict the day or hour. (Or how long labor will be. Or how hard. Or how long post-partum recovery will take.)
I know Jesus will return but I don't know when. (And I weary of people who are sure it is just around the corner when that is what we've thought for 2000 years now.)
But for now, I will journey into Advent. And I'm identifying with Mary this year. Thankful no donkey rides for me.
1 comment:
In church on Sunday, our pastor talked about waiting... with hope. A good reminder. And one that I forget about so easily.
And now, I wait with hope for your precious baby to appear!!!
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