First Week of Advent
Keep vigilant, nurture hope
Psalm 130:5
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.
Like many women of my generation, I pursued higher education, married late and struggled with infertility. I became a mother by adoption at the age of 40, after two years of tedious and expensive paperwork. And all along the way, I endured hurtful comments and shaming — even from people of faith who suggested I wasn’t praying hard enough. So I know all too well that waiting for the Lord can be challenging.
Every Advent, as we read the story of Elizabeth and Mary (Luke 1) and their parallel pregnancies, I’m reminded that waiting is hard for both barren women and single mothers. Although their journeys are not exactly the same, an intimate aspect of their lives is inevitably exposed to the public and renders them vulnerable.
What longings and unanswered prayers do you carry this season?
God of Advent, give us empathy to keep the vigil with those who wait. Amen.
Primera semana de Adviento
Mantén la vigilancia, fomenta la esperanza
Salmo 130:5
Señor, toda mi vida he esperado en ti, y he confiado en tus promesas.
Al igual que muchas mujeres de mi generación, yo cursé educación superior, me casé tarde y tuve problemas de infertilidad. Me convertí en madre por adopción a la edad de 40, después de dos años de trámites tediosos y costosos. Y a lo largo del camino soporté comentarios hirientes y humillaciones — incluso por parte de gente de fe que insinuó que yo no estaba orado con suficiente fervor. De modo que sé perfectamente que esperar en el Señor puede ser un reto.
Cada Adviento, al leer la historia de Elisabet y María (Lucas 1) y de sus embarazos paralelos, recuerdo que esperar es difícil tanto para las mujeres estériles como las madres solteras. Aunque sus peregrinajes no son exactamente iguales, un aspecto íntimo de sus vidas queda inevitablemente expuesto al público y las hace vulnerables.
¿Qué anhelos y oraciones sin respuesta vas cargando esta estación?
Dios del Adviento, danos empatía para velar junto a quienes esperan. Amén.
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