A heavy blanket of gray has covered Padova ever since I got back from the anti-trafficking meeting in Rome last week.  I keep waiting for that strong Italian sun to burn at least a small hole through the oppressive layer that meets my eyes every time I look up for light.  But, I must wait.

Luke and Ben and I hardly get in the door after I pick them up at school before we must turn on every lamp to drive out the night.  Not satisfied with just the lamps, I decide to light candles, too.  But, there are things that must be done before I can stop to light the candles…a school report to read, the dog to take into the yard for a few minutes…The living flames of the candles must wait.  

A month has passed since I left for the US.  It has been a month since all four of us sat around the dinner table together.  Luke was on a school trip when I returned and Jim left before Luke came back.  Jim will be home soon.  But, we must wait.  

This Advent Season began on Sunday with all of us waiting for “the fullness of time.”
Ephesians 1: 8b-10 says, “With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

God’s will, God’s good pleasure, the fullness of time...Let’s wait together.