We’ve entered into the Advent season, and it never fails: every single year, God brings me back to the same lesson of patience and perseverance. December always stirs something in me. Part of me looks back in gratitude, seeing where He has carried me, shaped me, and stretched me. But to be honest, it also stirs up the hopes and dreams still lingering on my heart… the ones not yet fulfilled.
Recently I was wandering through a local mega store when the book aisle caught my attention. I absolutely love books, and I found myself scanning the shelves, marveling at the strange mix of titles they chose to display. Before I knew it, that familiar wistful feeling crept in… that longing to someday see my book sitting on one of those megastore shelves.
And then instantly, I felt silly. God had already granted that dream. I was published. I had held the book in my hands. I had lived the moment I prayed for, and I had fulfilled the promise I’d always said to myself: “If I could just help one person with telling this story, I will be happy.”
The dream had come true… and yet, I still wanted more. It wasn’t enough that 3,500, or even 5,000, read my book. My heart leapt toward the NY Times bestseller list. Because if I could only get there, then maybe I could help thousands.
Again, I caught myself. I left the book aisle and went back to the mission at hand, finding the perfect gifts to bring a smile to my children’s faces.
Isn’t that so much like Advent? We’re called to wait for the Lord with expectation, but also with humility. We’re called to persevere through the long seasons but keep our feet planted in faith. The same is true for the dreams He plants within us. We don’t have to rush ahead and script the ending. We don’t need to predict what our blessings must look like. Instead, Advent invites us to notice the grace present today, the quiet, hidden gifts that might seem small, yet carry eternal weight.
The people of the Old Testament held onto a promise for generations. They knew a Messiah was coming, but could never have imagined He would arrive as a poor infant laid in a manger… or that thirty years would pass before His public ministry even began. God’s timeline has never matched ours. And thank goodness because it is always better.
So will I ever make the NY Times bestseller list? Probably not (though if the Lord wants to surprise me, I’m wide open!). But He has breathed life into my hopes and dreams in countless ways. And as long as He gives me another sunrise, I believe each day brings me one step closer to what He’s written into my story, even if it looks different than I imagined.
This Advent, may we wait with hope, surrender with trust, and celebrate every small gift as the miracle it truly is.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!
