Now and not yet

Last night, I thought about how much I enjoy feeling baby’s little kicks and punches while I fall asleep. It is so comforting to know that she is doing her little Tai-Chi moves in there, growing bigger and bigger (fat, fat, fat!).

Jon and I feel like we have a real relationship with her, but of course it isn’t as satisfying as it will be when we can see her, rub her little feet, smell her, and listen to her gurgles (and cries). It occurred to me that this period of waiting is a lot like waiting for Jesus to come back. We have a relationship with him, too, but it isn’t quite as clear as it will be then. He is definitely present with us, but it is not always easy to communicate with him right now.

Of course, there are many differences — like the whole God-part. And we are pretty certain that we’ll meet baby within the next few weeks, but no one knows the day or the hour with Jesus. Still, it gives me another way to think about the Kingdom of God being here, but not quite here yet.