Now

Monday of the Second Week of Advent

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;

my God, I put my trust in you;

let me not be humiliated,

nor let my enemies triumph over me.

Psalm 25:1

It is only the beginning of the second week of Advent and somehow I feel like I am already behind. In this season of preparation, there is so much to prepare for: the birth of a savior and a Christmas pageant. The redemption of the world and way too many bulletins. The embrace of holy mystery and next year’s budget.

“O God,” I pray, “do not let me be humiliated by failure in the bulletin department.” So many variables, so much room for error.

Yet, I also know there is no error in God’s love for imperfect humankind, no variability in God’s faithfulness. My life is all preparation, any given moment laying groundwork for the next. And when I am present in the moment, I cannot be ahead or behind. There is only now, and in any now God is ever-present.