Blessed are you,
agreeing to stand still long enough
to let your eyes adjust to the darkness
until the starlight begins to appear,
the dawning of God’s promises.
–Kate Bowler, A Blessing for Open Arms

Be still, my friend,
and breathe with me.
Let us open our arms
and cradle our anxious hearts
as our eyes adjust to
to the dark
and the starlight appears.

What was promised
is dawning:

the knowing
that God does not wait to give peace
until all is well
but when it is yet to come,

the belief
that difficulties can enlarge us,

the trust
that, even now, while
pain grabs,
dread hovers,
and overwhelm is one disappointment away,
God is holding us
as securely as Mary held her newborn,
God is wiping our brows and offering His hand
as we labour to give birth,
and God, Herself, is birthing us anew.

All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.–Romans 8:22-25 (MSG)

Credits and References:
The Iris Nebula by Gianni. Used with permission.
A Blessing for Open Arms by Kate Bowler in A Weary World Rejoices
The Star Appears by Esther Hizsa, 2024
The Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus by Thiên Long. Used with permission.

© Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim, 2024.
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without permission from Esther Hizsa is prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used provided there is a link to the original content and credit is given as follows: © Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim 2013-2024.  http://www.estherhizsa.com