{"id":212,"date":"2012-12-04T01:01:23","date_gmt":"2012-12-04T01:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=212"},"modified":"2012-11-27T23:58:28","modified_gmt":"2012-11-27T23:58:28","slug":"advent-2012-are-you-on-hold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2012\/12\/advent-2012-are-you-on-hold.html","title":{"rendered":"Advent 2012: Are You on Hold?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Image courtesy of lamnee\/FreeDigitalPhotos.net<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

ADVENT DAY 3:\u00a0 Are you on hold?<\/p>\n

Waiting on the telephone is often one of the most aggravating things that can happen in a day, especially because nothing much happens! Oh, we might hear a loop with the same music over and over again (even if it is Christmas music, this can get old). But we’re in limbo, stymied, unable to more ahead because…we’re on hold!<\/p>\n

We can be “on hold” in life, too. Perhaps, this first week of December, you are waiting for an answer about a medical test, an insurance response, a financial situation. And all around you, Advent marches on and the Christmas season unfolds in all of its glory.<\/p>\n

So many things are out of our control while we’re waiting, in life or on the telephone. So, if you are on hold, take this to heart. And put your time on hold to good use. Pray, imagine, dream, live well. Be the kind, loving person you want to be when, as will happen, the person at the other end of the line picks up and you finally have your answer, can talk, and are no longer on hold!<\/p>\n

Blessings for the day,<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ADVENT DAY 3:\u00a0 Are you on hold? Waiting on the telephone is often one of the most aggravating things that can happen in a day, especially because nothing much happens! Oh, we might hear a loop with the same music over and over again (even if it is Christmas music, this can get old). 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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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