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The Waiting

The waiting is the hardest part.
Every day you see one more card.
You take it on faith. You take it to the heart.
The waiting is the hardest part.


So what do the lyrics to one of my favorite Tom Petty songs have to do with yesterday’s sermon?

The sermon on this First Sunday After Christmas centered on people in the Bible who were celebrating Jesus’ birthday even though they weren’t circled around the manger when He was born on that December 25 silent night. (Yes, I know He wasn’t born on December 25. I’m just checking to see if you’re still with me here)

Here’s the story in a nutshell
Simeon was a guy who was close to God. I’m thinking Simeon prayed daily and in one of those prayers, God told him that Jesus was coming, and even though Simeon was really old, he’d get to see baby Jesus before he died. Sure enough, the Baby is born, His parents take him to temple, Simeon actually holds the Baby and sings a big ol’ long song of praise and thanksgiving.
The End.

But maybe not. One of the verses says that “…this man [Simeon] was… waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was upon him…”

So, you mean to tell me that Simeon was waiting for who knows how long, and he was waiting in Holy Spirit? Like, waiting in good spirits? Seriously...I mean, come on, man!

* * * * * * *

Some averages say we spend six months of our lives just waiting. SIX MONTHS of waiting on somebody or something or other, and I have to say that most of the time we wait badly.


I see it daily when I take my daughter to school. Drivers trying to beat the start of the workday are one sudden stop away from rear-ending each other as traffic lights go from green to yellow. Gas station patrons nearly trample each other so they can be first at buying their morning coffee and forbidden fritter only to get into the morning rush and nearly rear-end another commuter.

And if I'm being honest, I'm like The Anti-Simeon Of Waiting.

Those two weeks from paycheck to paycheck seem like a lifetime – especially in the weeks leading up to Christmas. I spend this barren time preoccupied with worry about how money will or won’t stretch, or putting something on a credit card and then worrying about that expense, and then thinking about future expenses and more money stretching, and...and...and...

* * * * * * *

Six months of waiting over a lifetime. Yikes. The question is, how do I to spend the waiting time? Do I choose six months of exhaustion, anxiety, anger, disconnection and disassociation? Or do I choose to wait in expectation with a positive spirit?

The choice should be, and is obvious, and Tom Petty is right when he says that waiting is the hardest part.

...doesn't mean that I'm not going to strive to be a better waiter in the coming year though.

Sunflowers keeping their heads up during threatening skies.

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