When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing,
he sent word by his disciples and said to him,
“Are you the one who is to come,
or are we to wait for another?”
—Matthew 11.2-3
Well, either way we have to wait.
And how we hate to wait.
Because waiting means being patient
“like the farmer waiting for the crop,”
powerless, not controlling,
allowing life to unfold,
trusting grace to emerge
among other things,
open to what may come,
including the unexpected.
To wait is both to hold
and to let go.
God, give me courage to wait,
not restless or pacing,
but ready, trusting, open,
caring without clinging,
mindful of your grace in all things,
even that which is troubled.
Help me stand with faith
on your love and its power,
for though it is invisible,
I know it. I know it deeply.
I turn to your love,
I open my heart,
and I wait.