Milton, Proverbs, and waiting...

We are still in a waiting pattern here in our little town north of the Notch. Waiting for the weather to straighten out, waiting for daylight to return in the mornings, waiting for our family to be put back together in the same zip code. I'm trying to figure out what to do tomorrow: do I take a personal day and wait, patiently, with the Toddler in Residence, or do I find a sitter, go to work, and hope for the best? I have some personal days that I can use, and to be honest, I'm very tired. This is a three-day weekend coming up, but I suspect it'll be just as chores-packed as all the others have been. And I have to build my Google Classrooms for second semester, grade papers, and so on... I'm pre-tired. 

While Milton is not my favorite poet, he has a point. Sometimes, in our weaker moments, we rail on about the time we've wasted, or that has been spent in ways that are not what we wanted or needed. But that time, as Milton concludes his sonnet, even if spent in waiting, serves a greater purpose. It's only our own sense of what we think we need to be doing that makes us frustrated. Which, of course, is only human, right? 

This whole idea is summed up in Proverbs 19:21--

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

I hope that I can gather enough courage and grace to wait with patience.

Have a good day,

C

Sonnet 19: When I consider how my light is spent

BY JOHN MILTON

When I consider how my light is spent,

   Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,

   And that one Talent which is death to hide

   Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent

To serve therewith my Maker, and present

   My true account, lest he returning chide;

   “Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”

   I fondly ask. But patience, to prevent

That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need

   Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best

   Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state

Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed

   And post o’er Land and Ocean without rest:

   They also serve who only stand and wait.”