Wanting to Wait.

Advent is half way over. The different rhythm of the Christian year is an invitation to intentionally slow in particular periods of time to consider Jesus more fully. The bible book of John, chapter 3 and verse 30 says it this way. "He must increase, but I must decrease." This is not a cryptic or mystic idea. It is invitational. Slow to consider Jesus. That's the invitation.

I mentioned several weeks ago that this stretch of Lea's birthday, Thanksgiving, Advent and an Advent Retreat, Trent's birthday, remembering the birth of Jesus and Trey's birthday stretches for 63 days in our family. And I want to wait in these days. I want it. I want this rhythm. Lea had two Advent pregnancies. Trent was born on the 16th of December and Trey on January 3rd. She was nearing birth during Advent. As we were learning to actually slow in Advent to consider the coming of the birth of Christ, for two particular years, we were preparing to meet babies that would change our life forever. Would I want to go back to wait for the arrival of Trent and Trey during those seasons of Advent again? Yes. Those times with Lea as we waited to meet all three of our sons are some of the most holy in my life. Wondering what their voice would sound like, to love them, teach them, play with them, grieve with them, to watch them grow and become men and go and love the world. The intimacy that was cultivated with Lea as she sacrificed her body and life to bring these new lives into the world is burned into my heart eyes. Yes, I would wait for them to arrive all over again. I am learning that I actually want to wait. Something happened in me in those waiting times for the birth of each of our children that has created a hunger and not disdain for waiting. I want to wait. The fruit that came from those waiting times continues to live today in Taylor, Trent and Trey. I am a changed man because of the fruit of those waiting times.

In a way, that's what Advent is. Wanting to wait for the birth of Christ again. Be invited again today. What is one way that you could anticipate the renewal of the birth of Christ in your life again in these current days? Not only did the prophets wait for the arrival of the "great light"; Mary and Joseph waited too. What a weighty waiting that must have been. The scandalous, miraculous movement of God led to nine months of waiting because, though completely divine , the process was also human. Jesus was birthed in Mary and then Mary waited to birth Jesus into the world. I want to wait again for the arrival of Jesus. I want to. As much as waiting for the arrival of 3T has impacted my life, the transformation of waiting with Jesus as He loves and transforms me is the most glorious weight that I know.

Lea and I planted the little tree pictured above on July 22nd of this year. We planted it in gratitude to God as our son Taylor and his wife Ashley are expecting their first child in early 2020. We are waiting again. I want to wait for the arrival of this new life. I want it. I anticipate the exponential impact of this and any other multiplication of life that God brings to our children. I'm actually hungry to wait for this increase. It is forming me.

Advent is only half way over.

There's more.