What are you waiting for? For the cards to be written? For the shopping to finally be done? For the busy December calendar of events to be over so that you can just relax? When I was very little, I waited for Santa Claus. As I got older, I waited for holidays from school, then from work. As I aged even more (insert age joke here) I waited for family gatherings, for feasts and great fun (with lots of laughter and silliness). When we moved from Canada, I found I waited for any connections back home, and for Sarah and Chris to join us. I waited for the Skype Christmas around the family dinner table. This year I wait again for Sarah and Chris to arrive so that the family gathering can begin. What are you waiting for?
What are you anticipating this year? Are you anticipating the usual useless, or thoughtful gifts? Are you anticipating new Christmas decorations - some lovely, some puzzling like this life sized Santa that plays the saxophone I found in Manila last year? Are you anticipating fun times with the family, or tense times? Are you anticipating the weight gain from over eating and then the guilt and work to lose it in January? Are you anticipating great fun, and creating new memories that will last for years to come? Are you anticipating sadness in your season as you spend Christmas without someone you love? I anticipate great joy with the kids. I anticipate sadness not being with the rest of our family. I anticipate a relaxed Jeff that finally will get a few days off. I anticipate a Christmas unique to us as we spend it in Hong Kong and Thailand. What are you anticipating this year?
What are you hoping for this season? Are you hoping for a specific gift? Are you hoping for lots or snow, or perhaps no snow? (please throw a snowball for those of us who are missing snow this time of year! Feel free to throw them at someone from us!) Are you hoping for lots of presents? Are you hoping for enough food to feed your family? Are you hoping for someone to acknowledge that they love you during this season? Are you hoping for calm moments? Are you hoping that this year will be different, that somehow the commercialism and "stuff" of the season (see picture of very confusing decoration) will fade away and the real joy of Jesus will come through? I am hoping for great joy with Sarah, Chris and Jeff. I am hoping for rest for souls as we gather. In your season of waiting, anticipating and hoping, remember to stop and just enjoy it. Hong Kong is a bustling, very busy and fast paced city.....and yet I was stopped in my tracks the other day by a little child. This toddler was slowly moving from side to side, carefully watching his shadow. He would laugh, and then move and arm or two and watch his shadow, and giggle some more. It struck me how wonderful that was...to just stop and enjoy the moments that life brings you. That is what I am attempting to weave into to my waiting, anticipating and hoping. Slow down and enjoy, pause and see, stop and live, rest and reflect.
Let your gentleness be evident to all....the Lord is near - Paul
Love you all
Linda and Jeff
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