Skip to Main Content
Women of the ELCA
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
  • Ministry & Action
    • Discipleship
    • Justice
      • Human Trafficking
      • Racial Justice Advocacy
      • Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources
      • Domestic Violence
    • Membership
    • Stewardship
      • Thankofferings
      • Faithful Friends
      • Katie’s Fund
      • Gift Planning
    • Special Initiatives
      • Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls
      • Dear Friend in Christ
    • Scholarships
      • Lutheran laywomen
      • Lutheran Ordained Ministry
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Events
  • About
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Staff
    • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
« Back to WELCA Blog

Always on the go
by Elizabeth Hunter

12.11.2017
|
Post

So much of my family’s life is on the go. During the week, our kids are going to and from soccer, scouts, band, chorus, confirmation and more.

Like me, they’re buckled in and multi-tasking: changing from shoes to cleats, adding or removing extra layers before a training practice, doing flashcard drills, updating me on their own to-do-lists, discussing current news or even, lately, debating the Constitution.

I love our time together—even the between times. But sometimes I miss those early days of baby carriers, strollers, first steps and assistance with shoelaces. I miss the days when the waiting time was the enjoying and noticing time—those months and weeks between crawling and walking, between baby sounds and words, so many words.

[bctt tweet=”I miss the days when the waiting time was the enjoying and noticing time.” username=”womenoftheelca”]

A decade later, we’re all so busy. We’re not waiting much anymore, even in the car. And when are we not on the go? When do we take time to relax, notice and enjoy this time together—these fleeting years before everything changes again? Is our goal only to accomplish the work? Are we missing something even more important?

For me, this is not just a time for special concerts, events and family get-togethers, as wonderful as those can be.

The days of Advent remind me that I am waiting. Waiting. Longing. Everything is not yet as it could be—including my own heart. Dear Jesus, how I long for the peace and joy of your promise. You remind me to slow down, to be still, to trust you and to try to live in expectation.

Years ago, near the glow of a Christmas tree, I saw hope and peace as fresh and present as the crisp pine needles, threads of popcorn and homemade nativity ornaments. Today the hope and brokenness mix together. I know that sometimes blurs my vision of what Christmas really means.

Dear God,
You are real, and you are really here for us. Through Jesus, you walk with us and our families, as we grow, wherever we go. This Advent, as we spend time noticing and praying for Christ’s coming into the world, help us to know that throughout our lives the milestones may change, but your love for us never will. Amen.

Elizabeth Hunter is editor of Gather magazine.

Share

Categories

  • Post (1,229)
  • News (295)
    • Gathering 2021 (9)
    • Triennial Convention 2021 (7)
  • Devotions (70)
  • Uncategorized (2)
Women of the ELCA
1 Jul
Women of the ELCA
@WomenoftheELCA

#ArchivesHashtagParty Another predecessor organizations. The General Council - Women's Missionary Society - Executive Committee - General Convention, Trinity Lutheran Chapel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1911. #WeAreWELCA #ActBoldly From ELCA Archives. @ELCALutherans pic.twitter.com/isggyQyVuy

Expand reply reply retweet retweet favorite favorite
Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

Stay In Touch

Sign up for the WELCA Newsletter

Explore WELCA
  • Ministry & Action
  • Daily Grace
  • Resource Library
  • Events
  • Blog
  • News
  • About WELCA
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Photos
Explore Publications

Bold Cafe

A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today.

Gather Magazine

A mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith.

Cafe Podcast

Subscribe to our podcast:

Click to subscribe

© Copyright 2022 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2022 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.