Patience. I want it. Now. By the time you read this, my fourth grandbaby will be born. But, for the moment, my family’s mantra is, “Come on, Luna Sophia.” We breathe it out and trust she’ll get here in God’s time. That’s all we can do.
Even my daughter-in-law, whose swollen feet require sandals two sizes bigger than usual, can’t control the timing. She’s so done with all the put-you-into-labor tricks. Her limits for patience are stretched tighter than her belly. Pregnancy is in control. All she can do is surrender to the process and wait.
Yes, waiting. I’m not too keen on it. But, here’s a truth that helps me: Waiting time is not wasted time. The process of getting from A to Z is just as important as the outcome.
It’s the in-between time that grows us. Whether our challenge is minor like waiting at the dentist or major like waiting for a diagnosis, there’s always something to learn. When we’re tapping our foot or wringing our hands that’s a signal to ask God, “What do you want to teach me?”
I admit, I don’t always ask with the best attitude. Putting aside fear, pride, or my “rights” to be edgy and impatient isn’t easy.
But it sure beats wasting time by letting a difficult situation control me.
Knowing that waiting time isn’t wasted time, encourages us to persevere — which builds our faith, our character, and our hope. We learn patient endurance, evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in us. Author Joyce Meyer teaches, “… over time we become less affected by the difficulties and challenges we face. It’s like exercise … we must go through the pain to get the gain.”
Perhaps like me, an exercise analogy gives you the heeby-jeebys and you prefer Helen Keller’s thoughts:
“We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.”
Waiting is hard. But waiting is crucial.
Let’s trust that God wants to birth something good in us. When we’re patient in the waiting, we’ll grow in process. Grace and Peace, my friends.
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