Wait

I am not good at waiting. I buy a gift and I want to see the reaction from the person immediately! Inside of me I am jumping up and down with excitement for the joy of giving someone I love a cherished gift. But that doesn't always happen. Sometimes I expect to see one kind of reaction and I get a different one. My waiting sometimes ends in disappointment.

My very favorite Christmas tradition, that began when my children were little, is the giving of Jesus gifts. We gather as a family, and share what we choose to give Jesus throughout the coming year. I spend time in prayer seeking out what Jesus wants from me. Then when I hear the words He speaks to my heart, I seek to understand. Then the waiting comes! The choice is mine. If I choose to give Him His desires then I know He will smile on me. If not, I know He will still receive my gift and use it to transform my heart. Jesus Gifts are my true NOEL.

The question I ask myself, is why do I wait for a sharing time to give Him what He wants? Why don't I simply do it every day? For me, I think it lies with the truth of waiting. I wait because I struggle to be sure. I wait with excitement to know He is pleased. And isn't it the same as we wait to meet Him face to face? We wait in shadows not sure if our gift will be accepted. Yes, we all doubt a little. We also press in with excitement wanting to hear Him say "Well done!"

Today, I wait for our Christmas gift exchange, our Christmas Jesus Gift sharing, and our joining in praise hearing the story of Emmanuel, God with us! I wait for the final face to face meeting with patience, because it seems I still have so much to do. I wait. not always patiently, but until His time comes I must wait.

Jesus, You, too, must wait for Your Father to allow You to return. You wait patiently just as You did in so many ways when here with us the first time. Your Spirit offers me patience too. Forgive me when I push ahead of Your time. I want to live patiently for the right time in all things. Take my words and actions under Your lordship. Only through You will I enjoy the moment fully of giving and receiving!