Today is my last day of November’s gratitude journey. Interesting that it coincides with the first Sunday of Advent.

I am grateful for so many things right now. An adventurous husband who deals with traveling minutia so I only have to pack my bag and keep my temper. Two grown, healthy sons who still travel with us, hug us, and love us. A navy blue gold embossed passport that eases border crossings and immigration anywhere in the world. Day and night nurses who work holidays and weekends caring for my mother so that I can enjoy my holiday without guilt or worry. Every single day I am aware that I won the cosmic lottery and I can never say thank you enough.

I find it ironic that Advent begins today. Advent, the season of waiting. I have multiple tracks going through my head right now about waiting. One of the songs of our church Christmas cantata is titled, “Waiting.” As I sing that song in my head, I am actually physically waiting for a delayed flight home. Concurrently, I am waiting for my mother’s long illness to end. My younger son is waiting to hear about his college admission. My older son is waiting on his work schedule. My husband is waiting for the Delta app to update. I have decided that this season of limbo is another manifestation of the “both and” tension for those of us between two kingdoms.

It is difficult to think of waiting as an active practice. Waiting feels so inactive. And yet it is the most active state of being one can experience. This state of limbo is why the season of Advent is so important for me personally. Practicing “active waiting” is enormously difficult, but truly rewarding.

All these years of Advent have been a training ground for me. Waiting through nine months of two pregnancies. Waiting in countless hospital rooms, surgery centers, and doctor’s offices for loved ones. Waiting at car rental counters, in airports, in security lines—in traffic. Waiting is an integral part of life and it takes a lifetime of practice to stop fighting the wait. Allowing the wait doesn’t mean giving up, but fighting the wait burns unnecessary energy one needs for the wait.

So I wait. While I wait, I practice. Active listening. Lectio divina. Breath prayers. Compassion. And Gratitude. So Welcome Advent. I am grateful to begin again.

Love y’all,

Marla