Waiting for Baby

Our son and daughter-in-law are awaiting the imminent arrival of their firstborn. Being with them this Christmas season brought back a lot of memories - the short nights of sleep even before the baby's arrival because she isn't comfortable, and you are more attuned to her discomfort; the persistent people who seem to feel that you are conspiring to keep the news from them - get real! - and ask daily if not more if the baby has arrived; the plans, the work to be ready when baby does arrive.

It really is like life, when you stop to think about it. We ARE to be attuned to one another's comfort level and to help where and how we are able. That works for those standing on the sidelines as well - realize that there is a great deal of stress in the last weeks of the pregnancy and PLEASE don't aggravate it by asking daily about the still impending arrival! You will learn of the birth in due time - and the parents certainly aren't holding back on you!!!

The good things in life will take time, and effort, and teamwork! I'm constantly reminded that the church is compared to a body - and I think the same is true of families and communities - each having a role to play in support of or complimenting others. If any fail to fulfill their role, they diminish the results of the whole. Churches, families and communities have been moving for a long time toward seeing a certain small group as responsible for all the work, while the rest want all the benefits - imagine your heart being the only thing that had to work in your body, while all the other members wanted to have the benefits of a healthy heart. Or imagine a football team on which everyone expected the quarterback to do it all - block, run, pass, catch, tackle, sack, cover, special teams - but all wanted to be a championship team. It isn't a pretty thought, is it?

So, when our son and daughter-in-law were more subdued and tired than usual, we asked if they would rather have time to themselves - and when they agreed, we left. If they call asking for help, we will drive back up and offer what we can. Sensitivity is something we need to cultivate in relationships, families, communities and the world. Tolerance is part of that sensitivity. We must tolerate the differences in others, or they will not tolerate our differences - and no matter how homogenous we think we are, we are dramatically different.

With a new year around the corner, here's a challenge for all - develop your sensitivity, work on your tolerance, and understand that if God weren't tolerant (as our role model) we wouldn't live because of our differences from God's desired standard. Give people room to grow, let them communicate to you, but use your common sense as well. Peace!