Waiting

            “Waiting, waiting . . . we are waiting, Lord”:  these are words from a Pepper Choplin Christmas cantata that run through my mind as we wait for the birth of Joelle.

            I have felt her kick or push against my palm and watched her ripple under the surface of taut skin.  I have seen her mother—my daughter—wince and stop in mid-stride as Joelle shifts positions and hits a nerve. 

            Dana, Shawn, and I talk and plan for the days ahead.  I have written directions for my driving destinations, the recipe for Benjamin’s oatmeal (with added applesauce and peanut butter), and the verses for his favorite song.  I know the routine for naptime and bedtime and mealtimes.  I have helped him into his highchair and into his car booster seat.  I can read his signs of sleepiness and frustration.  I don’t know much about signing, though.  It’s a good thing he understands plain English.

            Waiting is full of preparation and promise and questions.  We know and don’t know that for which we wait:  What will Joelle look like?  What will her personality be like?  How will Benjamin respond to her?  What changes are ahead in family dynamics?  We plan and prepare for the details of the days (and nights) ahead, excited about and a little scared of the unknown. 

            All of these things make me think about the waiting Mary and Joseph went through as they prepared themselves to receive Jesus.  I think also of our waiting for Christ’s return:  we don’t know when it will be or what it will look like, but we know everything will change.   We are waiting, Lord.