{"id":218,"date":"2012-12-03T01:00:49","date_gmt":"2012-12-03T01:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=218"},"modified":"2012-12-03T18:38:58","modified_gmt":"2012-12-03T18:38:58","slug":"advent-2012-are-we-there-yet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2012\/12\/advent-2012-are-we-there-yet.html","title":{"rendered":"Advent 2012: Are We There, Yet?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Image courtesy of lamnee\/FreeDigitalPhotos.net<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

ADVENT: Day 3<\/p>\n

Are we there, yet?<\/p>\n

There is a child in each of us, and the Christmas Season brings it out like at no other time of year. As adults, we know the importance and benefit of delayed gratification – waiting to eat that cupcake until we get home as opposed to devouring it in the car, or waiting until Christmas to tear open the package a long-distance friend has sent early (so it will arrive in time). But in the back of our minds rings the childhood refrain, “Are we there, yet?” which translates to, “Do I really have to go any farther before I eat\/get\/experience what I want?”<\/p>\n

Advent is all about waiting, but it’s also about preparing. The more we focus on the question, “Are we there, yet?” the less we’ll be able to prepare for the day\/event when it comes. So, let’s put our cupcakes back into their bags and the still-wrapped presents under the tree. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, but rather take this season one prayer, one meditation, and one step at a time so that, when Christmas comes (and, yes, it will come), we’re that much more ready – and joyful – at the things yet hidden, but to come.<\/p>\n

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

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

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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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