Devotion

Mid-November brings the holiday season into view. Thanksgiving approaches. Then Christmas, New Year's, new beginnings. There is anticipation in the air. People are planning gatherings, making lists, imagining holidays with family and friends. Anticipation can be beautiful—the joy of looking forward to meaningful connection, celebration, renewal. Yet anticipation can also become anxiety. We build things up in our minds, worry things will not go as planned, stress about preparation. Scripture invites a different quality of anticipation: patient waiting. David speaks of waiting patiently for the Lord, not anxious waiting but trust-filled waiting. He waits, and the Lord turns and hears. There is a quality of surrender here—I am doing what I can, and I trust the outcome to God. As you enter the final weeks of the year, practice patient anticipation. Yes, plan. Yes, prepare. But let go of the need to control outcomes. Let go of the fantasy that everything must be perfect. Let go of the anxiety that something will go wrong. Instead, anticipate with patience. Trust that you will be met with grace. Trust that gathered imperfectly is still gathered. Trust that a simpler celebration is still beautiful. Trust that God is present in the ordinary moments even if not in the grand ones you imagined. This kind of anticipation—hopeful, patient, trusting—creates peace even as you prepare.