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When I was child, the concept of patience seemed foreign to me, especially during Advent. The thrill of discovering chocolates in large Advent calendars and creating paper chains whose links marked each day, building up to the moment I could light another candle on the wreath, all tested my patience.
When I first started working as a camp counselor, the challenges of teaching and the longing for patience dominated my daily conversations. A supervisor's wisdom stayed with me, emphasizing that prayers for patience bring about situations that challenge and refine this virtue. I left the interaction committed to practicing being patient even amidst the chaos of swim lessons, cabin clean-up, and lunch period. Perhaps I could have wished more earnestly to become a patient person, but how can one embody patience without understanding its underlying mechanics? I would have to put the time and work into it.
Now, as we find ourselves in the middle of Advent, I am reminded of the annual opportunity we have to cultivate patience. Jesus' parable by the Sea of Galilee resonates, likening the Kingdom of Heaven to the meticulous process of making barley bread. This endeavor demands time, effort, and, most importantly, patience. The waiting and working become as essential as incorporating yeast into dough or allowing leavened bread to rise.
In this season of anticipation, we echo the disciples by the Sea of Galilee, waiting for the Kingdom to come, the bread to rise, the Christ to be born, our spirits to be renewed. Much like the leaven working in the dough, our patience becomes a transformative process, preparing us for the impending arrival of something extraordinary.
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