All of our beautiful white snow was washed away rather violently by thunderstorms over the weekend. I was out shivering in the cold rain yesterday, searching for a “just right” lemony cypress (like the one I snapped in London, below) as my spirits dampened like the ground.
But the storms passed, the rain turned to snow, and this morning, a fresh light frosting covered the earth around our home.
The gift of this snow reminds me there is often something NEW and FRESH waiting to arrive.
Making Our Hearts a Bethlehem: Thoughts on Waiting
I am happily following along an online Henri Nouwen Advent book discussion for guidance from Henri’s writings about the spiritual journey during this Advent season. It’s the first week, and already I am so moved by wisdom about waiting from his book Here and Now. I thought you might also be interested in the topic since the hustle and bustle of the holidays often lacks depth and may leave us weary.
Am I adding insult to injury though with this topic of waiting? Ha! Waiting certainly seems to be one of our least favorite activities at Christmas or any season. Ever witnessed a room full of joyful souls in a waiting room? In a line at a store? It’s rare. We want our turn and our green light. We want our prescription, our paycheck, our package, and our pain relief NOW.
In today’s modern era, with all matter of high tech gadgets to minimize waiting or entertain us during the wait, we seem to be as impatient as ever.
I remember expecting for the first time and feeling so anxious to deliver during the last trimester. But then I would dream an awful nightmare about the birth and awaken in the morning so relieved I had not delivered prematurely. Waiting is vitally important when there’s new life on the way.
Thoughts on Waiting
What if within the waiting – this pocket of space and time before something new arrives to us – we could relax into a gentle and trusting reassurance? What if we could seek the Grace for a lens adjustment to view waiting as a sacred lovely passage?
We can.
We can seek the Grace to see with new eyes.
From the meditations about waiting from Henri this week, I am leaning into the idea that my waiting is shaped by my alertness to the Word. Am I in a state of alertness to the Word at Christmastime when I have heard and read these Biblical passages for more than half of a century? Is my heart receptive and open to Scriptures which breathe with life, meaning, and transforming energy?
If I am honest, the answer is no.
Most of the time, my heart is full with matters from daily life and caring for family, our home, my health, and worries about the future. It is humbling and even humiliating to think about how much time I devote to staying alive for as long as possible compared to time devoted to receiving life.
To be most attentive for the Word to reach my heart, it seems I need meditation and both solitude and community, as well as tension, pain, and even resistance. But mainly I need Grace.
Henri Nouwen comes with a reminder for me that “when the Word comes, it can become flesh in us.” Isn’t that what the Christmas story is all about?
So this week, my thoughts will turn toward what it means to wait as I make my heart a Bethlehem and anticipate the birth of wholly new life.
And I’ll ponder familiar verses with a fresh sense of awe and wonder.
Can I adopt more of a “let it be done unto me” attitude during these holy days of waiting? Can I wait without fear?
With Grace, I’ll try.
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Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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I’m not a fan of snow or the accompanying cold, so do not feel depressed by the lack of it. I can see it up on the mountain range. It is pretty!
I’m much better at being patient. I had to train myself to not always want to hurry, for instant gratification, first in line, run, run, run…I won’t say I love waiting but I’m not bothered either.
I’ve stopped the hustle & bustle of the season by keeping things simple – from my Christmas decor, entertaining and gift giving. I don’t run out and fill my arms with presents. Spending money on gifts that might not be needed, wanted or loved. I buy quality gifts for my loved ones. I try to stay in the moment and enjoy what life brings me every day.
I’m not deeply religious but I do believe. I was brought up Anglican but strayed after an incident that shattered my belief in the church. God is not just found in a church. He is all around us – in nature, in birth and even in dying. I find my peace in my own way.
Blessings,
Joanna
Author
Gifts that may not be needed or wanted is a good reminder to us all. We get so caught up in getting the giving crossed off the list and traditions, we’re not always mindful about whether these efforts make sense. I’m so thankful God is not limited to any box or within walls of a church. Oh, my, where would I be were that the case!?! Yes – everywhere and accessible to everyone, religious or not. Religious is one of those words that means something different to different people. I never considered myself religious either, mainly because I objected to so much cruelty done in the name of religion. Rather, spiritual practices in my daily life have become a natural flow, helping me to stay awake to reality and seeking Grace. xox