The Joy of Waiting

I left work early today to head to the airport to pick up my daughter. I had not seen her in 15 months. My heart has been full of joy for many days as I have anxiously waited for this day to arrive. I have been preparing for her arrival. There was organizing and cleaning to do in addition to all the my work related things that needed to be done. Needless to say, I have been busy.

Then last week I got sick. I had to slow down. No energy. I had thought about taking a day off to get everything done that I wanted to do, but I did not imagine that my day off would be spent resting and not accomplishing anything else besides learning to slow down.

This afternoon as I walked around the airport while keeping my eye on the international arrivals' doors, I watched the people around me. So many people anxiously waiting for a loved one to arrive. There was the father with a young sun in his arms. It looked like they were waiting for the little boy's mother to arrive. It didn't take long before they spotted the mother walking through the doors. The little boy's smile and joy was contagious! He grabbed his mother's cheeks squealed! There were smiles on every one's faces.

I wondered if I could do that to my daughter when I could finally hug her? I pretty much did! I really had a hard time letting her go. I might squeezed her a little too hard. She was finally here! I could finally hold her and see her face-to-face! 

This Advent season has had a special meaning for me as I have been waiting for my daughter to come home. The third candle--the candle of joy--has given me hope, and now, so much joy. If my daughter's arrival can do that, how much more can the arrival of our Savior bring us hope and joy this season? I will celebrate with joy!