ezperanza

I'm doing this advent devotional to help me remember the REASON for this wonderful season we are in the midst of. One of the posts I read last week said this:

"Why is the date of an individual's death hidden from him? Clearly it is so that he might always do good, since he can expect to die at any moment. The date of Christ's second advent is withheld from the world for the same reason, namely, so that every generation might live in the expectation of Christ's return."

This struck a chord in my heart. Being (relatively) newly married, I've got a lot of plans left in my head for my life with my husband. Whenever I don't get around to something I am intending to do, I always think, "Eh, there's always tomorrow..." Or, "It'll be better tomorrow..." "I'll be better tomorrow..."
But God intends for us to be expectant and hopeful always. Waiting for the moment when Jesus comes again. I feel like I can't imagine what it would be like to live this way, but I have a great example of it everyday.

There's a couple who go to my church that have adopted two kids, a brother and sister, from Mexico. Legally in Mexico, the kids belong to them... but the United States will not let them come here. Somewhere along the way, during their several year process, some of the laws changed for international adoption- but no one dealing with their case caught the error before it was too late. Now, the kids are continuing to live in an orphanage, knowing that they have two legal, loving parents who are waiting to take them in to their home. Yet, the parents are always hopeful. Always expecting that God is going to move and allow their kids to come home. They do not know the day or time when it will happen, but they are always expectant. I want to be more like that. God change my heart. Take away my cynicism and soften my heart to your power and your glory.

"This is why, when his disciples asked him, "Lord, will you restore the kingdom to Israel at this time?" Jesus replied, "It is not for you to know the times and the seasons which the Father has established by his authority."
Quotes taken from Incomplete Work on Matthew, Homily 51