Through Stained Glass: Advent Word a Day—Ready

 

“The lad wanted it desperately, yet I fear he was not ready.”
“None of us is ever ready,”
“For knighthood?”
“For death.” 
― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones

Ready

“Are you two ready to order?” The waiter asked us.

“Oh, yea. We are. Go ahead.”

My friend Brian of 20+ years ordered first. Then I did. And we went back to talking — as we always do — as if there hasn’t been distance and years between us. 

We talked about everything. Music, the Cubs, the Bears, Brady, our families, our work, our creative projects: my DMin and his second novel(!) and the handful of new songs he’s finishing up. We reminisced about the bowling alley — and we wondered out loud together if we would ever be in a league again with our other close friends. [Brian and I, along with my two cousins, worked at the Christian Center Bowling Alley for … over 5 years together. Those were some of the most important seasons of my life.]

We sat there in this restaurant for an hour and a half — catching up, laughing, lamenting, dreaming, and being present to one another. 

“Well, you ready to head out?” 

“Yup!”

And back to the house we came where he was able to say what is likely his last ‘goodbye’ to Chloe. 

Brian is that friend who is there — ready for whatever you need. It was Brian who, when I told him Chloe’s diagnosis, said these words that have been my mantra:

“I’m not sure what the future holds. But what I do know is that we are together now, and that’s all that matters.” 

I’m grateful for lifelong friendships and for those people like Brian who know me. Brian has always been my friend who is ready for anything. It isn’t unusual for us to call each other up, lament whatever season we are in, and plan another epic road trip. Our conversations always end with him saying, “Whenever you want to go, just let me know. I’m ready!”

I’m not sure where ‘ready’ comes from in today’s readings. I read them all twice and didn’t see the word ready. Yet, today, I’m reminded of how the love of God is readily available — and sometimes comes from the most familiar faces. This last Sunday’s text was Jesus telling the disciples to be ready. I’ll be honest — I think we complicate the reign of God and make it more elusive than it actually is. It is fleeting, don’t get me wrong — and it is what we are praying for even now. 

And yet — it’s here — within — ready for us if we would but receive it. 

Our time ended with Brian reminding Chloe of her goodness. It was special. It was holy. All of it gave me the courage I need to be ready for whatever comes next. 

And for that — for Brian — I give thanks.