Hanging in the Garden

“Waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one's thoughts.”

― Elizabeth Elliot

“...sitting and waiting is one of the most miserable occupations known to man - not that it usually is known to men; women do it much more often.”

― Diana Gabaldon

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it was a day of waiting

that Sabbath Saturday

the day after the day

the death after the death

men and women who loved

and had seen the beloved

beaten and killed,

waiting

unable to visit the tomb

unable to pour out the oil of their grief

on the body that lay

cold and alone

men and women waiting

that long dark day

for the moment when the sun would rise

on their grief

and they could make the journey

to the garden

how did they wait?

did the men pace, and find thing to fix?

did the women gather together

comforting each other

through word, or touch?

Did they all grieve together

or were they separated

by distance

or fear

or social norms

we know nothing of that Sabbath

except that it must have been full of pain

the pain of loss

the pain of separation

that same pain felt by those who cannot be

with their dying one’s their dead ones

in this time of pandemic

we know only of the first day of the week

when they found their way

to that fresh tomb

sealed and guarded

why was it that the men found only an empty tomb

and the women

at least one woman

found Jesus?

was it because the men came,

and quickly left, troubled and confused,

while Mary (and perhaps other women too)

waited

long enough to see

is this why the first Easter Sermon

was given by Mary Magdalene?

Ah, blessed are those

who mourn for they shall be comforted

Ah, blessed are those who wait upon the Lord

Ah, blessed are those who are willing to sit with the pain

And be broken open

Women and men alike

For theirs is the kingdom of God