Wait Is a Four-Letter Word

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Here’s a crazy topic to be discussing, but I was so perplexed, I thought I’d throw is out and see what you think.  I’m a bit a news hound, I love a good news story, and I feel like the art of great journalism is fast becoming a thing of the past!  I’m constantly scouring the Internet for relevant, well-written articles, especially those of the Catholic nature.  When … lo and behold, I came across a reference to the L’Osservatore Romano—the Vatican’s daily newspaper.  Oohing and aahing, I ran for my computer to become a subscriber.  Yes, I read about this in a hardback book, imagine that!  Unfortunately, my source refers to L’Osservatore Romano as the world’s dullest newspaper.  I ignored the lack of a ringing endorsement, hopping on the Vatican website in anticipation of viewing a copy within minutes.  Not so fast.  

I was first redirected by a notice to subscribers: We would like to inform all our subscribers in the United States and Canada that The Cathedral Foundation of Baltimore, Maryland, has been entrusted with printing, managing and mailing the weekly English edition of L'Osservatore Romano for the U.S. and Canada.

Off I went, locating the page that would bring me to my ultimate prize—the Vatican news by way of the Vatican itself.  Upon viewing my options, however, I see that my only choice is to have a hard copy mailed to me via snail mail for $149.  This must be a mistake, I was sure.  No electronic version available, it’s unfathomable.  So, I picked up the phone and buzzed The Cathedral Foundation of Baltimore. 

Ring, ring …

Operator: Cathedral Foundation of Baltimore

Me: (a cheerful) Hello

Operator: (a cheerful) Hello

Me: How are you today?

Operator: (in a wary voice) Fine. (apparently, not sure)

Me: (happy and excited) I’m calling about a subscription to the Vatican Newspaper.

Operator: Ummhumm…

Me: (hopeful anticipation) Can you tell me if there is an option to get the paper electronically?

Operator: No

Me: Is it something that’s being considered?  I imagine there are many people who would be interested if it were, don’t you think?

Operator: (sarcastically) That would be up to the Vatican.

Me: Well … could you put me through? 

One ringy dingy...

Okay, I made that last part up.  I didn’t really ask to be connected to the Vatican, although the thought crossed my mind, the operator didn’t really sound like she was in the mood for any shenanigans. I wasn’t going to get anywhere anyway.  I pictured the operator to be like Lily Tomlin at one of those old-fashioned operator switchboards unplugging my cord, and glad to be rid of me ... snort ... snort.

This leaves me in a quandary, though.  Do I subscribe to the paper copy that will be delivered once a week?  Do I turn a blind eye to the costs ( pollution, trees) to getting it here? Or am I just mad because like so many things … I WANT IT NOW?

~Oh Lord, give me patience and give it to me now~

Lord, teach me to be patient—with life, with people,and with myself. I sometimes try to hurry things along too much, and I push for answers before the time is right. Teach me to trust Your sense of timing rather than my own and to surrender my will to Your greater and wiser plan. Help me let life unfold slowly, like the small rosebud whose petals unravel bit by bit, and remind me that in hurrying the bloom along, I destroy the bud and much of the beauty therein.

Instead, let me wait for all to unfold in its own time. Each moment and state of growth contains a loveliness. Teach me to slow down enough to appreciate life and all it holds. Amen.

Prayer Source: Unknown 
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