November 29, 2021

Rhonda Patterson
For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 8:22-25

I clearly remember the anticipation of Christmas morning as a little girl. Having made my desires known to all, I could hardly get to sleep on Christmas Eve. And usually, at some point during the earliest hours of Christmas Day, I’d tiptoe into our family room, not daring to turn on a light and be discovered. I was trying to get a peak to determine if my dreams had come true. The problem was, with three siblings who each had dreams of their own, it was very difficult to distinguish one gift from another in the dark. And it was often quite comical to see in the light of Christmas day just how off I’d been.

As a family, we’ve laughed about my antics. My siblings have never confessed to doing the same thing, claiming they always waited until morning. Waiting with patience for the things I hope for has definitely been something the Lord has grown and refined in me over the years. And waiting patiently with hope for God’s promises to be fulfilled, as the above scripture speaks of, can sometimes last a lifetime.