Waiting

The Waiting

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV (Emphasis mine)

“Patience is not simply the ability to wait—it’s how we behave while waiting.” Joyce Meyer

Waiting in traffic, waiting in line, waiting to grow up, waiting for my husband to come home from war, waiting for a diagnosis, waiting for retirement, waiting for an answer to prayer, even waiting to die—all tell me about myself and my relationship with the Father. All waiting shows my faithfulness or lack.

Most of life is waiting. Our Father is an artist and waiting is a sharp and painful tool He uses to sculpt us into something beautiful. It’s also a time to get honest with the Father and ourselves—something we’re avoiding may need attention before moving on.

Most of life is beyond our control. That’s why waiting is so uncomfortable and stretches us to the limit. We can’t control most situations. Beauty is the last thing we see or experience, especially if it’s a loved one who is in trouble or ill. Faith is one of the antidotes, regardless of feelings. Reviewing our past personal rescues and experiences from the Father helps.

I waited for my son to be born and there was great happiness when he entered our lives! While I waited, I did everything I could spiritually and physically to ensure my son would arrive healthy.

I waited for my husband to die with anguish over his suffering. His death ushered in relief. Grief, to be sure, but I was relieved he was with the Father where there is no pain. Death is inevitable—such a hard truth and no control whatsoever! It has taken years to understand much of this journey and I still can’t grasp all of it. I could not fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

I wish I could say I waited patiently but I did not. There was too much drinking. Too much worrying. Too much loneliness. Too little prayer. Too many medical bills. Too little asking for help. Too little sleep and food. Too much anger at my Father and the situation. Some of my behavior I regret.

But I trust the Father will make everything beautiful in its time—with tears sometimes. Even my bad behavior. He will for you too. We may not understand all of it in this lifetime but we will see usefulness and beauty.

Musings

Waiting doesn’t mean we do nothing. We pray, we do our daily duties and live in only today. We seek help. We ask for help. We forgive ourselves when our behavior does not match our faith. We hang onto the Father’s grace, which never runs out. We read the Psalms with their feelings, wisdom and trust in God—the perfect examples of prayer. I see very ill children on TV with their weary parents waiting for a miracle. Thank God there are professionals in partnership with the Father who are there for the parents and the children. How can God make this beautiful? I don’t know. He will. He just does. He’s a sculptor.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for the beauty around us and in us. We don’t always see it or have faith to wait. But we know each time we get up, pray and go about our daily duties, our faith is in action and faith pleases You. We trust. We wait with thanks.

Amen.