Today I'm linking up with the Five Minute Friday community, writing for five minutes on a given prompt.
This week's word is PRESENT.
If you've read Beverly Cleary's Ramona the Pest, you'll remember Ramona's first day of kindergarten, and all the mishaps and misadventures she experiences as she struggles to adjust to new people, new routines ... and new words.
One of the most memorable moments is when her teacher, Miss Binney, points to a seat and tells Ramona, "Sit here for the present."
Ramona is so excited: she thinks sitting in this seat means she'll get a present.
But she's disappointed when after a lengthy, expectant wait, no present appears. Finally her teacher has to explain to her that "Sit here for the present" doesn't mean "Sit here and you'll get a gift"; it means "Sit here for now."
I think a lot of us can relate to Ramona's disillusionment. We believe that if we just wait patiently, complete the task, make the sacrifice, then we'll be rewarded with a wonderful outcome. In Ramona's case she's mistaken because she doesn't know that the word present has another meaning. In our case I think we are sometimes mistaken because we see life as transactional. "I did what I was supposed to do; I should have received a payoff!"
Advent -- especially Advent 2020 -- is a good time to set aside transactional thinking. This year, and this season, teaches us to hold our expectations lightly, wait in hope, and not demand results or rewards.
It also reminds us that present has a third meaning besides "gift" and "now"; it also means "close at hand." "Nearby." "Here."
"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means God With Us."
Matthew 1:23
What a great post, and it reminded me of one of the advent devotionals I read this week. The author commented that believers often hold onto Jeremiah 29:11 without considering that in the previous verse God said it would take 70 years. I think that is a part of the transactional nature you wrote of. We expect God's goodness, and we expect it NOW. Lord, help us.
ReplyDeleteAmie, FMF #13
That's a great thought, Amie. You're right, we often do place expectations (demands) on that verse "God has plans for me; that must mean he'll fix things instantly!" Well, maybe not quite. Thanks so much for coming by to read and comment today.
DeleteI love this! I loved the Beezus and Ramona books and all things Beverly Cleary. Thank you for reminding us that Christmas shouldn't be transactional.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Anita! Great to have you here today.
DeleteHow wonderful this is, any time of year but especially during Advent. What a privilege we have to choose to do things for others or act a certain way and not expect recognition or a return of the favour.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Meg. It is really freeing to see it as a privilege.
DeleteLove your thoughts here, especially not to 'demand results or rewards' because that is a road to frustration and maybe even despair when our demands are not met. My present focus is very much on Immanuel! Visiting from #FMF11
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see you here, Sharon -- thank you! I'm glad this resonated with you.
Delete"Sit here for the present,"
ReplyDeleteand Ramona thought, well, WOW!,
and became expectant;
what would happen now?
But a gift was not forthcoming;
her hope had been in vain!
Miss Binney saw it bumming
her out, and tried to explain
that there are certain English words
that are in possession
of diff'rent meanings, pointing towards
a salutary lesson
and this Ramona could begin
by not kicking dear teacher's shin.
That's great, Andrew, thanks! :-)
DeleteSuch a great reminder to put aside transactional thinking. I hope it could help me see more of all the beautiful gifts already all around me. Thanks Jeannie!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Sue.
DeleteThank you Stephanie - I appreciate your being here. I hope your Christmas is blessed with peace and joy.
ReplyDelete