Waiting for Something Miraculous
Lisa Ash Drackert of Kansas City, MO, USA
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. -Mark 13:31-33
I’m one of those people who experiences anxiety over events on my calendar that are scheduled months in the future. I say things like, “Well, after that workshop, things will slow down and I can really enjoy life again. I’ll have time to cook and take naps, have coffee with friends, and enjoy leisure walks again.” What a profound awareness when one day I realized: why am I waiting for life to slow down in the future? Why don’t I just slow life down right now? Why don’t I just enjoy the little leisure times in my day today, instead of waiting for them to show up in my calendar in the future?
And thus began an intense commitment to spend two hours in silence every afternoon. Not in “anticipatory waiting” tense silence, but in leisure “I’m going to enjoy every single little gift of this moment” silence. Waiting for fulfillment or waiting for the clock to slow down or waiting for this big event to take place until I enjoy can life again gets annoying. And frankly, it feels a little silly. This is actually a very intense spiritual practice. TV is so much more fun! Sometimes it’s difficult to not pick up my phone and engage in frenetic internet activity. Being silent feels a lot like just waiting for something to happen. But it’s not. It’s witnessing that something.
I believe the biggest and best miracle God wants us to enjoy each day is the miracle that we get to be alive this day. I believe that I was meant to live every moment fully awake, fully alive in grace, fully in love with this gift of being alive. Then I’m not rushing into the next thing. I’m not hurrying to get something done. I’m not rushing through my day. I’m witnessing the biggest and best miracle unfold right in front of my eyes.
Advent Prayer Phrase
“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord” (Psalm 31:24).
Advent Spiritual Practice
Breathe deeply and spend a few moments inviting silence to deepen around you. Pay attention to what is forming in you this day as you prayerfully consider the following questions: What awareness or gift begins to emerge in you through the practice of waiting? When do you notice being invited to resist rushing to the next thing and remain present with what may be slowly unfolding? What can you learn from being fully present in the waiting times?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
