Worth the Wait

In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. -Albert Camus

Seasons are special teachers,

and special teachers are with us for seasons.

I'd hear it, waiting in the adjoining room of our piano teacher's home, as a daughter worked through a challenging piece of music. Mrs. Reister's melodious voice, both prompting and reminding:

"It's a start, but it needs a little more time in the oven."

Rushing through practice of any sort leaves the outcome undone.

And in all the modern-ness of church, worship and faith-practice, the glorious return to reminders of Created Seasons is meant to give time and space for surrendering and savoring.

The slowing holds the gifts of relief, respite and rejuvenation.

The waiting with preparation promises gifts that we can't at first see or imagine.

And Advent, "the arrival,"

is the season of cleansing and clearing the clutter of our hearts,

the preparation plus the sitting in expectation...

the wait of the gifts to come...

the wait for the Gift to come.

Even the Advent wreath (with the four candles for each Sunday before Christmas) illuminates a rhythm we could circle around year-round.

Hope, Peace, Joy and Love in gentle, brave flames, one after another -

or heard in the deep gongs of church bells, truth ringing out:

Have Hope! (to)

Feel Peace! (to)

Find Joy! (to)

Know Love!

What could a heart be and do when clutter is cleared and room is made,

Room is made for these "Ins," and preparation is made for the most important Guest?

Hope:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Peace:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

Joy:

The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

Love:

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. 1 John 3:16

As we allow our hearts and minds to "sit" with these themes and to contemplate these words to live by,

words worth taking in and waiting for,

making our lives available for the Creator's kneading and shaping,

it's as though we could embrace these as Advent recipes.

For an abundance of Hope, generously take scoops of Trust and Faith. Blend and mix without stopping. Ever. This mix is for your Good.

For Peace that surpasses understanding, receive a heaping helping of God's Peace. Spread this all over yourself before covering others and our world.

For Joy, start with Thanksgiving. Add singing and rejoicing, and watch as Joy bubbles forth. Allow bubbles to be seen, heard and felt by all those around, and watch the bubbles multiply. Repeat endlessly.

For Love, follow the Recipe outlined by the One Who Exemplifies Perfect Love, every Way and every Time.

It's in the wait that we can marvel how ingredients combine to make something new and whole.

It's in the wait that we can experience the aroma of something to come.

Recipes passed down from generations are gifts of wisdom, and a worn Holy Book is the Ultimate guide.

These recipes are reliable, giving us calm in the knowing.

All of the essential ingredients we collect from Advent are promises

to help form us,

grow us,

change us,

soften us over time,

and open us to yield the Goodness within,

and to ensure this Goodness is shared so that nobody goes without it.

Merriest Christmas!