Waiting patiently

16/02/2017 15:55

Lately, our weather patterns have been a little different. South Australian summers are usually sunny and dry so the unexpected spattering of showers has been most welcome. The humidity was another matter—something I could have done without. I discovered that our wet clothes were not drying indoors as they would  in the winter because the air was now soggy and damp. I thanked God for my dryer, transferred all the clammy clothes into it and set it whirring noisily.

 

Later, as I folded the dried clothes to put away, I discovered that (as usual) three socks had disappeared. I tracked down two of them quickly enough—they were still reposing inside the dryer. But where oh where was the third sock? I was sure its partner was lonely. One difficulty in having our dryer fixed above our washing machine is that it’s too high for me to reach into all sections of the dryer. I made a mental note to ask my husband to check the its large belly one more time.

Some hours later, I went into the laundry to fetch something, when my eye spied a blob of grey contrasting against the cream coloured heater. Oh, it was the sock. Hooray! That little fella was staying quietly on our stashed away heater, waiting patiently to be found. I connected it with its partner and placed them in my husband’s sock drawer. Mission accomplished.

 

Do I wait patiently? Not always. Not often. Not when I should. Patience has never been one of my strong points and has been very difficult to acquire. Now, after almost 60 years of life, I may be finally getting there. Perhaps that’s why God has given me many opportunities throughout my life of growing in the area of patience, because I was so slow to attain it.

I’m still waiting on a number of blessings. 12 years of chronic illness has made me more than aware that good health is something to be prized. So I continue to wait and hope for better health even as I take some positive steps towards achieving it. I’d love to publish a few more books—and am working towards that end too, after striving for many years without success. There are prayers for loved ones on my heart each day. There are prayers I’ve prayed for more than 25 years. When will God answer?

 

We all have our lists of hopes and dreams don’t we? As I look back on my recent past, I rejoice as I’ve reflect on how God has rewarded some of my waiting seasons. Many of His answers have far exceeded my expectations—blessings that fell into my open palms as I looked up to heaven, like large welcome drops of rain falling thick and fast on a dry and thirsty land. Blessings I did not deserve. Blessings that were like an extra gift on my birthday—unexpected and better than any I could have asked for. 

 

Are you waiting for a special miracle? Don’t give up. God’s waiting room is a unique place where we learn many intricate lessons and where our characters are refined. I studied the life of King David last year. It was a surprise to realise that after he was anointed King, David had to wait for 15 challenging years to reach that status. One commentary says that it’s because often God tests us before He fulfils His promises to us. I think too that during those harsh waiting seasons, He also changes us to become whom we were created to be.

 

Let’s wait before Him with trust, hope and love shining in our eyes.

And let’s never forget—our God is a faithful God. Always!

“Commit your way to the Lord;

Trust Him and He will do this:

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,

The justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently before Him.”

Psalm 37:5-7