Ritual in the Waiting
Dec 1
/
Alaine Thomson Buchanan
It’s the first
Monday of the Advent season. This first week focuses on hope, especially in the
midst of liminal spaces, which are times when what once “was” no longer “is”
and what is “yet to be” has not yet come into fruition. In other words, hope in
this first week of Advent is about remembering the reality that the ancient world
was once waiting for the Messiah to be born, and he was and is “God with us”,
which in today’s world prompts hope as we wait for and believe this same
Messiah, Jesus, will return again one day…all while we operate in the midst of
the liminalities we face in our world today.
Sometimes, waiting includes hope, peace, joy, and consolation.1 Other times, waiting may entail despair, fear, sadness and desolation.2 Sometimes, we hold a combination of a variety of emotions in our hearts, minds, souls and bodies at the same time. When we are in the midst of feeling “all the things,” hope is necessary.
Creating rituals to help us “be with” what is happening spiritually, emotionally, and physically within us, allowing whatever we are noticing in our hearts and souls to “be” as they are, all the while allowing the Divine space, time, and opportunity to interact with us, creates an opportunity for hope to arise.
One ritual I have implemented into my life that reignites hope is on the Fridays when I am at home (and I don’t have scheduled morning meetings until at least 10 a.m.), I go to a local lake and spend time with God. I look at the trees, listen to the birds, and experience the ambiance of the lake. Sometimes, there are lots of people around. Other times, it’s just me and God, along with the ducks, birds and the critters that are running around. While there, I take a few deep breaths, pour my heart out to God, and then listen. Most of the time, I need to allow the Divine to hold my heart and the heaviness my heart carries….and then I listen. Most of the time, I notice how deeply I am loved by God, how much I am cared for by others, how much God delights in me, and that it really, truly is okay to just “be” for a few moments.
When I am ready (and if time avails), I then drive to a locally owned coffee shop. I work there for a couple of hours and listen to the people around me. My job is mostly remote, so I work from my home office and am by myself for the majority of the work week. As an extrovert, this gives me an opportunity to just “be” with other people, which reminds me of why I do the work I do. None of the employees knows what I do for work, but they know my name…and we catch up a bit on each other’s lives before I start to work. It’s truly grand!
These two experiences together create space to accept what currently “is,” all the while prompting hope for today and for what “could be” in the future. They remind me that God is “with” me in the midst of all the things going on both in and around me.
What ritual(s) can you create to offer time, space and opportunity for the Divine to hold you, lift you up, and let you know God is “with” you in the midst of whatever you are going through? May hope arise within you throughout this Advent season. May it begin with a pause, a deep breath, and a moment of “be” ing with yourself and with God.
God cares for you, loves you deeply, and delights in you!
[1] Consolation is consoling and draws us closer to God and to becoming more human.
[2] Desolation is desolating and tends to pulls us further away from the heart of God and our humanity.
Sometimes, waiting includes hope, peace, joy, and consolation.1 Other times, waiting may entail despair, fear, sadness and desolation.2 Sometimes, we hold a combination of a variety of emotions in our hearts, minds, souls and bodies at the same time. When we are in the midst of feeling “all the things,” hope is necessary.
Creating rituals to help us “be with” what is happening spiritually, emotionally, and physically within us, allowing whatever we are noticing in our hearts and souls to “be” as they are, all the while allowing the Divine space, time, and opportunity to interact with us, creates an opportunity for hope to arise.
One ritual I have implemented into my life that reignites hope is on the Fridays when I am at home (and I don’t have scheduled morning meetings until at least 10 a.m.), I go to a local lake and spend time with God. I look at the trees, listen to the birds, and experience the ambiance of the lake. Sometimes, there are lots of people around. Other times, it’s just me and God, along with the ducks, birds and the critters that are running around. While there, I take a few deep breaths, pour my heart out to God, and then listen. Most of the time, I need to allow the Divine to hold my heart and the heaviness my heart carries….and then I listen. Most of the time, I notice how deeply I am loved by God, how much I am cared for by others, how much God delights in me, and that it really, truly is okay to just “be” for a few moments.
When I am ready (and if time avails), I then drive to a locally owned coffee shop. I work there for a couple of hours and listen to the people around me. My job is mostly remote, so I work from my home office and am by myself for the majority of the work week. As an extrovert, this gives me an opportunity to just “be” with other people, which reminds me of why I do the work I do. None of the employees knows what I do for work, but they know my name…and we catch up a bit on each other’s lives before I start to work. It’s truly grand!
These two experiences together create space to accept what currently “is,” all the while prompting hope for today and for what “could be” in the future. They remind me that God is “with” me in the midst of all the things going on both in and around me.
What ritual(s) can you create to offer time, space and opportunity for the Divine to hold you, lift you up, and let you know God is “with” you in the midst of whatever you are going through? May hope arise within you throughout this Advent season. May it begin with a pause, a deep breath, and a moment of “be” ing with yourself and with God.
God cares for you, loves you deeply, and delights in you!
[1] Consolation is consoling and draws us closer to God and to becoming more human.
[2] Desolation is desolating and tends to pulls us further away from the heart of God and our humanity.
Alaine Buchanan
Alaine Buchanan is an ordained minister, spiritual director, an active duty Army chaplain's spouse and a mom. She holds a PhD in Second Temple Literature and History and also teaches Biblical Studies (including history, theology and world religions) at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Alaine is the Dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies and Dean of Digital Education at North Central University in Minneapolis, MN. She has received certification in trauma care through the Allender Center and in Spiritual Direction through the Companioning Center.
In spiritual direction, Alaine loves to walk alongside those who are journeying through liminal spaces. She specializes in discernment, integration healing, focusing, spiritual formation practices and group spiritual direction.
She is a fan of tea, chocolate, and all the Seattle sports teams. She can be found on Facebook, Instagram and LInkedin.
Alaine Buchanan is an ordained minister, spiritual director, an active duty Army chaplain's spouse and a mom. She holds a PhD in Second Temple Literature and History and also teaches Biblical Studies (including history, theology and world religions) at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Alaine is the Dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies and Dean of Digital Education at North Central University in Minneapolis, MN. She has received certification in trauma care through the Allender Center and in Spiritual Direction through the Companioning Center.
In spiritual direction, Alaine loves to walk alongside those who are journeying through liminal spaces. She specializes in discernment, integration healing, focusing, spiritual formation practices and group spiritual direction.
She is a fan of tea, chocolate, and all the Seattle sports teams. She can be found on Facebook, Instagram and LInkedin.
