There are times that waiting can be difficult. And times when waiting makes little difference to us.
I road along with my granddaughter this week while she ran some errands. She had to get in and out, in and out of the car. It was my intent to wait in the car with her four-year-old so she wouldn't have to drag her in and out of her car seat (and we all know how much a 4-year old wants to tag along with mom and stand in lines while mom exchanges a sack of socks or orders furniture, huh?).
Waiting for mom wasn't hard when a toddler has a stash of movies to watch in the car. But stick her in the middle of a shopping cart while you wait in line to exchange a purchase, or pay a bill, and that's another story. As Jocelyn watched her movies, I circled words in a Word-Search book. Time passed with ease.
Then there are those times when things we must wait for days, and weeks and months. That's how it is when you renovate a house. Seems like nothing is done fast enough. Impatience is not a virtue of the Holy Spirit. Ask me. I know. So for me... waiting has become a testing time. A learning time. A time of surrender. Over and over again. Some days I pass the test. Some days I fail.
As I renovate a newly purchased house, I think about all the changes that we're making so it will serve our needs better, so it will better care for my 89 year-old mother-in-law who is coming to live with us. I think about the tiny details needed for completion-- to make it a fun for my grandchildren, an inviting place for my friends and other family members. I want it just right. Yet, unlike God, all too often, I lose patience. I get weary when things don't meet my expectations and mental timetable.
My impatience makes me consider how patient the Lord must be with me as He "renovates" my life, making the necessary changes in me so I will be better able to serve Him and reach others in His name. He doesn't have to wonder how long it will take because He is omniscient. He knows everything. He knows how long it will be before I let go of my timetable and rest in His. And He's patient and steadfast and merciful as I let go of the old and change for the better. Waiting. Wonder if God has a Word-Search book and videos to watch.
