Wait for Him

Welcome to Word for the Week, the series in which I:

share my experience of hearing God’s Word in Mass last weekend,
explore what I believe the Lord is calling me to do about that Word, and
ask how this Word might impact your life, as well.

---

Two Sundays ago was another bilingual, evening Mass, to begin the season of Advent. Our 10-year-old son joined me. Deacon David, who serves at our parish, gave the homily. He’s newly ordained, and set to be confirmed as a priest this spring. His preaching was phenomenal! The message stayed with me throughout the week as I reflected on the Word that spoke to me during Mass.

“...wait for him.” -Isaiah 64:3

Deacon David painted a picture waiting for God with the expectation of a child waiting for Santa to come by in a firetruck. It was a tradition in his neighborhood growing up: Santa would drive past at an unannounced moment on the weekend of Thanksgiving, courtesy of their neighborhood fire station.

Then, Deacon David compared our waiting to the calm that comes with long hours of fishing. For those who enjoy fishing, waiting for a fish to bite is less of an exercise in patience and more of a cherished pastime.

As I nodded my approval from my place in the congregation, Deacon David described how God waits for us as an artist waits for their beloved work of art to be complete. As an artist, I can attest that the artistic process is agonizing, enrapturing, exciting, and mystifying. It blew my mind to imagine it as an icon of God as our dynamic and loving creator.

So I wrote songs last week! Songs about waiting, songs about how love takes time. Songs about slowing down to enjoy the journey. At one point, a neighborhood friend of my children came to the door. From the kitchen, I overheard his conversation with my kids. In a high-pitched, excited tone he exclaimed, “Santa just drove by in a firetruck!”

I smiled as I thought of the homily. Wait for him.

Then, last weekend, I was able to attend a young adults praise night with Eucharistic Adoration. It was so beautiful. To be in the same room again with other believers, to spend hours in prayer and reflection, and to be able to talk and laugh together afterward... It was just what I needed.

Adoration and fellowship were yet more signs that the wait is worthwhile. God hasn’t forgotten about my needs: emotional, spiritual, and otherwise. Wait for him.

To anyone who feels inclined to rush through their current state of life, I’m praying for you! I hope you recall that God loves you in this moment as much as in any other moment. Which is to say, entirely! May God grant us the grace to be attuned to His patience toward us and to share that patience with all who we meet this week.

Amen.

P.S. Here’s a rough draft of lyrics for one of my new songs from last week!

“The Best Way to Be Moved”

VERSE 1
I’m under reconstruction and it’s beautiful
I’m going through production, it’s a crucible

PRE-CHORUS
See this rock?
There’s more than meets the eye
See that boulder? There’s an angel inside

CHORUS
Sometimes the fastest way forward is to stop
Sometimes you make the best progress when you pause
Sometimes rest is the best way to be moved

VERSE 2
There’s tape and plastic everywhere, it’s wonderful
The walls have been knocked down, that was purposeful

BRIDGE
Gold in fire, new rooms in a house
Brilliant sculpture or a spotless spouse

___

Special thanks to VIP Patrons:

Kim Moline
Dick Safranski
Jordan Mendez
Julian Padilla
Jessica Cook
Kate Hicks
Sara Chacon
Kelly Wesaw
Deacon Tim & Lily Roberto
Carrie Brzezinski

To become an Amanda Vernon Patron and receive exclusive rewards, signup at amandavernon.com/patron.