
A 1980s video and a popular Christmas song reminds Lilia Grundy that the Lord always comes to those who wait.
Christmas chaos
Scrolling through my Instagram stories, a video from the “eightiesgirls” account popped up. The vintage footage brought on a rush of nostalgia and its images reminded me of the chaotic shopping scenes of 1983 when the Cabbage Patch Kids® craze took the country by storm.
Hundreds of people waited in line hours before stores even opened, just to get a chance to purchase the prized doll. I too had dreamed about owning a Cabbage Patch, particularly the “Preemie” edition because that one looked more like a real baby to me.
Alas, I never did end up getting a Cabbage Patch doll that Christmas, but I still look back on those times with hope and wonder.
Christmas comfort
Now, in the full thrust of the Advent season, I find myself feeling a bit of the chaos those 1980s shoppers must have experienced. Caught between practicing my daily prayer routine and making stops to stores trying to check off the gift list, I feel the winds of anxiety.
Coming home from Mass recently, my husband I were listening to The Star CD in our car with daughters in tow, and the song “Mary Did You Know” came on. Instantly, I was taken back to twelve years ago when I was pregnant, expecting twins, and I heard that song for the first time.
I had been invited to a luncheon by the sweet women of our little Bavarian town where we were living. There, nestled among the forest, in the cabin-like restaurant, a lady began to play her guitar. She stopped me in my tracks — I was mesmerized by the lyrics, her singing, the song. Tears began to roll down my face.
I remember that moment sweetly as the enormity of motherhood became real to me then. While we were expecting our baby girls to arrive near Christmas that year, they ended up being born a month early: preemies.
After listening to “Mary did You know” the other day, it hit me: I did in fact, get my preemie doll(s) after all!
Christmas Catholics
For the vision is a witness for the appointed time, a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint. If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. (Habakkuk 2:3)
I have come to realize that God has always answered my prayers — they haven’t always been in the way or timing I had hoped, but better. I’d like to think that I have grown in virtue through the waiting, and I have been more purposeful in trying to listen to God. This season makes it awfully hard.
Yet, with so many resources now available for Catholics, I count my blessings that the Lord keeps me on track! It’s a wonderful feeling to know we can pray along with millions of others through mobile apps. It’s comforting to know I can spend time with Jesus anytime in my local Adoration chapel. I give thanks for all the new friends I have met through my reversion to the faith. And I have more trust knowing that the wait … is always worth it.
Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.
Copyright 2024 Lilia Grundy
Images: copyright 2024 Lilia Grundy, all rights reserved.
About the Author

Lilia Grundy
Lilia Grundy is University of Portland’s Pamplin School of Business’ Director of Corporate Partnerships with over 20 years of corporate experience (including Kraft Foods, NBC Television, and Telemundo). Lilia launched Catholic Women Professionals to inspire other working women to grow their faith. She is married to her high-school sweetie Rob - they have beautiful twin girls who love art, music and learning about the saints.
Comments