Christine Margocs, our host this month, has directed our attention to Advent, asking us to reflect on "Waiting...with a side of Hope." Such a perfect description for what we are doing during Advent. Not just waiting listlessly for something that may never come, but waiting with hope for something which the Bible calls "the evidence of things not seen."
I have been loving this song by Sara Groves (I'll put the lyrics later in the post) since it came out in 2019. I don't just listen to it during Advent, but all year round, because to me it epitomizes the way things have been here in Haiti for at least the last three years. We are waiting for things to get better, for gas to be available, for people who have been kidnapped to be released, for kidnapping to end, for the electricity to come on. The lyrics refer to "a truce in the fight," and we literally have that here, when the gangs declare un trêve so that people can buy gas, get earthquake relief to the south, or go to work or grocery shopping safely.
Recently, one of my eighth graders started asking me about Haitian politics over the last few decades. He named specific public figures and asked what they had done. I didn't think I was really the one to give him this particular education, as a visitor to his country (though I remembered many of the people and incidents he was asking about), but I encouraged him to talk to his parents about it. He did, and produced a piece of writing about how things had gotten to the current point. He started by saying that he has worries most kids his age don't have, because he wants so much for his country to be peaceful and to function well. But it was his ending that stayed with me. He admitted that things didn't look good, but, he said, he still has hope.
We hope for things to get better. But we also hope for strength to endure. For faith to keep trusting that, as the song says, "the waiting is not vain." That some day, all things will be right.
And in the meantime, we wait for "the light of the morning." And that comes every day, without fail.
Visit Christine to see what everyone else is posting about this topic!
6 comments:
This song complements the theme perfectly! What kismet that it is a constant in your playlist. Your situation in Haiti is unique in our circle; I so appreciate your perspective and insight, lending us global awareness.
Beautiful, Ruth. Thanks for sharing your hopes and honesty. May it be so.
I am so moved by the song and the boy wanting peace for his country. Makes me wonder what lies ahead for him, what his calling might be. Let us keep praying for peace and fostering goodwill to all men - thank you, Ruth.
Ruth, your perspective on life and waiting is pertinent to your situation and a guide to us. I am always amazed by the hope for Haiti that is in your heart, how you endure multiple issues over and over, and still rise. It is your faith in the waiting that cushions each blow. The song you chose is so right for this month's theme. May the Lord continue to be with you and your family.
Thanks, Ruth, for sharing your student's thoughts and for your words at the end of this post: "We hope for things to get better. But we also hope for strength to endure. For faith to keep trusting ... That some day, all things will be right."
We continue to keep Haiti in our prayers.
What a beautiful post and song. It took me weeks to find the words to post on this prompt. But, it's sort of fitting that it did. I hope your student continues to record what's important.
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