How's That Waiting Working?

How’s that waiting working for you?  

It’s Advent.  The darkest part of the year. 

Our daylight is short and our lists are so long.  We’ve  marked dates on our calendars with parties, events, programs. Some of them make; others have to be passed by for all kinds of reasons.  

I keep thinking of Mary and then I think of the modern phrase 'life happens'. 

She consented with the simple line, "Be it unto me according to your Word.’ 

…and then dealt with unwed pregnancy, a trip on a donkey to Bethlehem and no room in the inn.

She gave birth in a stall. She laid her newborn, her firstborn, in an animal’s feed trough. 

Did she know he was the bread of life?  Did she know His body would be our food and drink? 

As part of my Advent practice, I’m reading St. John’s Gospel and some of you are joining me.  

When I got to John 14, what seemed to leap from the page to me was this:  “I will ask the Father and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever.” (v. 16)  

I am not alone.  I am NEVER alone.  

Then in the same conversation, Jesus says, “The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything  and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (v. 26-27) 

He knows I’m going to forget and it’s OK because He will teach me, and remind me, and reteach me.

I’m a teacher. I’m not currently going to a classroom every day, but my heart will always be one of a teacher.   I wasn’t angry when my students couldn’t remember. I asked them questions.  I prodded them lovingly.  I reminded them of what I’d taught them every day because I loved them… 

…because I loved them. 

He’s going to remind me. That’s  peace.  I can exhale. I can relax.  I’ll know what I need to know. I’ll remember what I need to remember.  

Love teaches. Love reminds. Loves reteaches…for as long as it takes because Love wants you to know what it knows.  Love knows what is good and wants to give it to you to equip you for living your life. 

What happens to us is filtered through Love’s hand for us and He is in the midst of it with us. As close as our inhale and our exhale. 

Whatever  your Advent practices are or are not (and it’s OK not to have any at all), they are for our benefit, but they are not a measuring stick for whether He is with us or is teaching us or reminding us. 

And when you forget even to pray…that’s OK too. Others are praying on your behalf. That is body-of-Christ life. 

May you have the peace of knowing your Advocate in the waiting.