Advent Thoughts: Waiting for My Son as I Wait for My Savior
“We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.” Romans 8:24-25 MSG
Well, we made it to Advent—the season of waiting in anticipation for hope, joy, and peace to come to earth. This year, I crave the journey to Christmas.
It's been a month since our adoption delay began. The front room of our house is full of suitcases and packing piles that all serve as a daily reminder that we should be packing and not doing another home study update.
The best way to describe this past month is grief. I’ve been sad. I’ve been in denial. I’ve been angry. Now, I mainly find myself accepting what has happened and doing my best to move forward in faith.
The hard reality is that we will lose time with our son, and I’ve had to release that to God. I can’t control it, and as much as my flesh wants to fix it all, I know that God can take care of him better than me anyhow.
He took care of Brielle for two years before she came into our family. He’s done it before, and I know He’ll do it again.
How can I not trust Him? How can I not wait on Him?
As we wait to bring our son home, I see such a gift in waiting during the season of Advent. God is showing me what it looks like to become more joyful the longer we expectantly wait for our son’s adoption. Just like many people waited long ago for the birth of their Savior. It’s a perfect adoption/advent combo!
I grow in joy as I anticipate the season of celebrating Jesus’ birth that makes all things new.
I grow in joy as I anticipate a life redeemed and restored through adoption.
There’s even MORE good news. There is a second advent coming. Someday, Jesus will return again, and there will be no more heart-wrenching adoption delays, pandemics, or orphans.
What a day that will be!
I want to wait with hope, joy, and peace. I want to anticipate God’s miraculous redemption over our entire world.
This year may seem very dark, but let’s light up that darkness.
That sweet babe in a manger came and is coming again. Someday, my son will be home. I smile as I anticipate the glory of God revealed this advent season, and that’s how I know I’m growing in faith.
How is God growing you this Advent season? What are you joyfully anticipating that you long for Jesus to redeem?
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