When is he/He coming?

A few days ago, a really intriguing analogy popped into my head, and I’ve been marinating in it like a good, juicy chicken dish. At 32 weeks pregnant, I know the best thing for Baby B is to keep cooking until 40 weeks; however, I’ve heard enough real-life stories recently to know a few things:

• Babies don’t know there are American Academy of Pediatric (AAP) rules/standards/odds for when they should arrive
• Babies don’t tell you when they are coming
• The third trimester pretty much means anything goes

The third trimester also means I’ve got a heavy case of nesting going on. There are all sorts of preparations to make:

• Assembling furniture
• Organizing clothes
• Stacking diapers
• Figuring out “systems” for how to organize baby stuff (although I’m sure all these “systems” will be subject to change once our little man appears on the scene and teaches us a lesson or two!)

As I think about the fact that 1) I have no idea when he will arrive, and 2) we are busy making preparations so we will be ready, I am reminded of the second coming of Christ.

• Only the Father knows when He will return (Matthew 24:36) 
• We are advised to “keep watch” and “be alert” because we do not know when He will come (Matthew 24:42; Mark 13:32-33) 
• We should devote ourselves to prayer with an attitude of thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2)
• We must prepare for His return, intentionally putting on faith and hope and encouraging each other (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

Am I preparing my heart for Christ’s return like I’m preparing for the arrival of Baby B? They are both imminent, although I *feel* more connected to Baby B since he is physically inside of me, moving around. And yet, isn’t the Holy Spirit inside of me, stirring me to action?

I’ve got more thinking to do about this analogy, but it’s captured my attention!