God Is With You!

The readings for this week bring to mind memories of family life. In a home with five children, things were always a bit chaotic and unpredictable in my family. The busyness of the daily routine started pre-dawn with getting all the kids ready for school and usually included looking for the illusive matching socks with one child often unable to find shoes as we piled into the minivan just in time to beat the morning bell. Morning rush seemed to roll into the afternoon, which was equally busy getting kids to after-school sports, tutoring, or that dreaded doctor or dentist visit. The minivan had so many miles on it and acted like an extension of our living room. Finally, we would get to the end of our day – and then it was time for homework, dinner, getting all of the kids ready for bed, night prayers, and then quiet. My husband and I would sink into the couch, look at each other and mutter, Thank God! Knowing that in the chaos and busyness of the day, God was surely with us.

There were also the many family moments of great joy and celebration. Many special occasions were planned with great anticipation and joy. We all felt the excitement of the wait…  Birthdays, the beginning of summer, Easter and, of course, Christmas which were all met with the celebratory enthusiasm of a big family. And always, before each celebration there was much preparation to be done and often there was some element of surprise until the day came. This could be a favorite meal, the design of the birthday cake, the decorations, and most definitely the carefully selected Christmas gifts. Along with all the preparing and waiting, there was the hope that all would go well, knowing that family life can be unpredictable.

We have all had this experience of preparing for something and then having to wait. The readings this week give us hope that God is with us and tell us that Jesus will return. We may not know when, but we should prepare as we wait for the joyful celebration – culminating in the greatest gift of Jesus present in our lives. In all the busyness and anticipation of this time, may you have a moment to sink in the couch, and rest knowing that God is with you!

Gratefully,

Donna Rubio, Director of Faith Formation