Readings: Psalm 126; Isaiah 40:1-11; Romans 8:22-25

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Romans 8:22-25, NRSV

Everything worthwhile takes time, effort, and patience – its creation and birth a painful process.This is even more true when it comes to bringing life into the world. The messiness of it, the endurance required, and the pain that is so hard to bear all come beforehand. And God only knows who will enter the world through it.

There’s a holiness in going through it all without knowing who will arrive, a blessing to the shrouded future that is asking so much of us. Perhaps, if we knew who was coming beforehand, it wouldn’t be our pain that seems unbearable: it would be our uncontainable joy.