Waiting. Patience. Two things that do not come easy for me. God must have known that I needed some lessons in this area lately, because thoughts and words have come at me from all directions. Recent magazine articles, devotions read based on scripture the past couple weeks, and even songs heard on my car radio have caused me to reflect on “ staying put, remaining, stopping, pausing” and the list goes on.
This past weekend my mom and I took a two day road trip to eastern Minnesota and drove along the Mississippi River. We lingered and took our time to see some beautiful colors and sights. As my mother tells me, “ I can’t hurry any more. It takes time for me to do everything.” So we had leisurely meals, little walks, and just did not worry too much about the clock. It was good for me to slow down, and let God determine the time schedule. It was hard a few times, but good for me to put my frustration of “waiting” on hold for someone I love.
On Sunday we spent the day with my son, Mark’s, family near Lewiston, MN., celebrating Jordana’s 9th birthday. It was a fun day filled with lots of little cousins and siblings, and some new dogs being added to the family! At the beginning of the day, though, we worshipped with them, and Mark preached on the topic of waiting. I smiled as he began, knowing I was in the right place. He used a variety of scriptures, and the advice that came through was to do three things while “waiting” on God for answers.
First, repent. To make sure my heart is right with God. Ask Him to show me if there is something in my life that needs to changed or removed.
Secondly, be grateful. Look around for the good and continuous gifts that say to us, “ I still love you, my child.” I realized that many times I am so preoccupied with the trouble or what seems like an unsolvable problem that I don’t see God’s gifts all around me. When I dwell on His constant watch care over me, I then can put my trust in Him. I can be encouraged to know that He cares for me and always will.
Finally, and only then, I am ready to pray about the situation. No complaining. Not focusing on a delayed response to my waiting on some situation. Just knowing that “God’s got it.” He will respond when it is the right time. In the meantime, He is growing my patience. And I experience plenty of growing pains, as I am not good at this.
As this new week began, my husband asked me to come help him with holding a flashlight while he fixed a problem up inside the combine. I started out stretching my arm up as high as I could. (I know…right. With my height being five foot or maybe less these days, that didn’t work well.) I quickly returned to the house and got a step stool. I climbed to new heights, rested my back against the big tire, and then was much better help. As I observed Dan working with a tiny wire I was again aware of his incredible patience with fixing things. His fingers are not little, and this wire was 3/4 inches long and about 1/16 of an inch in diameter. Slowly and steadily he guided this little wire back into the hole that would reattach it to a sensor plug-in.
About ten minutes later, after making a few minor adjustments, the job was completed. He smiled and thanked me for my help, and instantly I realized this was lesson number ?? for me to learn about patience and waiting. Most of my “tutorials” are not lengthy in time, but obviously the lessons are needed for me! And, yes, God gave me the right husband for me. The lessons he continues to teach me about being patient are never ending.
As Mark shared from Jeremiah 29: 11-13, I was reminded of WHY God’s timing is so important rather than ours.
“ For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “ plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. THEN you will call upon me, and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.”
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