Another re-write

I offered this devotion for a booklet the elders of Broadway Christian Church prepared during the advent season of 2000.
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THE GIFT OF PRESENCE
John 1:14

When I was about 12 years old and my sister Mary was 9, we decided to make my mother a dress for Christmas. Mom had been teaching us to read patterns and sew some of our play clothes, so we figured that we were fully capable. Money was a bit of a problem because the pattern cost 49 cents and the fabric was 89 cents a yard and we needed 3 yards! That $3.20 was a big chunk of our budget, but we hoped that the other family members would understand.

In the weeks before Christmas, Mary and I worked on the dress anytime we were sure that Mom was otherwise occupied. When we went to visit Grandma, we put all of our supplies into a blue suitcase and took it with so that Grandma could help with the sleeves or collar or buttons. Grandma was patient and helped us rip out our mistakes and fix it up right. My Aunt Shirley and my neighbor Sally were also women who patiently helped us along on our project. These caring women were present and available to Mary and me for practical advice on sewing techniques. But more than that, they encouraged us and urged us along.

Has there been someone in your life who has encouraged you in your day-to-day tasks? ---someone whose presence builds your confidence and lets you know that you are capable? Does your presence encourage someone else? ---maybe a family member, a neighbor, a child, a co-worker, an invalid, a person who is grieving, a friend? Today this person is called a mentor. But to me, in December 1964, these people were called Grandma Smith, Aunt Shirley and Sally Rice. Their presence was a gift to me. How can your presence be a gift to others?
(Oh, by the way.........Mom still has the dress!)

O Holy God, You came to be with us and among us. You came to encourage us and hold us strong. Help us to always realize the gift of your presence in our lives. May we learn to appreciate the gift of being present with one another. Amen.

A devotion I wrote for advent in December 2000

Waiting
Psalm 130:5-6

My father was a court reporter. He practiced "Take Your Daughter to Work Day" long before it was popular, so I spent some of my summer afternoons with him in a courtroom. I had to sit quietly at the back of the courtroom waiting for the judge to declare a recess. Then I would wait until the judge, jury, lawyers, bailiff, clerks and witnesses were gone before Dad and I could go to lunch. When it was a jury trial, I learned some really good waiting activities while the jury deliberated. I learned cribbage and euchre to help pass the time. (I'm still a pretty good cribbage player.) The saying "Hurry up and wait" is not exclusive to the military, but applies to the courts also.

Advent is a time when we remember the years the people of Israel waited for the Messiah. The Old Testament is filled with stories of God's people waiting for, preparing for and looking for the Savior. Read the words of the prophets -- Isaiah 40, Amos 9, Micah 5:3-4. Today we still wait -- not just for Christmas Day -- but for the coming of the Spirit into the hearts of all people so that there truly could be peace on earth. We wait for the Messiah.

What do you do while waiting? Do you read books or play games like I did while waiting with my dad? Are you wandering in a desert like the Israelites did? Are you preparing for a Messiah? What are you waiting for?

Dear Lord, As we approach Christmas Day, teach us to wait for you. Teach us to use our time wisely while we wait. Amen.