Years ago when our oldest son Eric had just turned three and our daughter Heather was four months old, we planned a long car trip from Columbus, Ohio to our home in St. Petersburg, Florida.
I had flown north with the children ahead of time to visit family in the Chicago suburbs. Meanwhile, a week or so later, my husband Steve drove to Columbus, and the kids and I flew in from the Windy City to meet at his parents. Steve intended to drive home straight through again, so I tried to explain to Eric what was to come.
“It’s going to take us a long time to get home—much longer than our trip on the jet. We’ll ride in the car all morning, and then we’ll stop for lunch. After we eat we’ll get back in the car and ride all afternoon. Then we’ll stop again for dinner. After we eat, we’ll get back in the car and keep riding until after the sky is dark. You’ll probably fall asleep. And a long time after it’s dark we’ll finally be home.”
You can guess where this is going. We’d been on the road perhaps twenty minutes and were just entering the southern outskirts of Columbus when Eric chirped, “Are we there yet?”
Obviously no amount of explanation could prepare him for such a long journey.
And we smile at a toddler’s lack of understanding and impatience. Yet I have to admit, I’m just a toddler in God’s family. On the occasions when the time between Point A and Point B has been protracted beyond understanding, my patience has often worn thin.
What’s a child of God to do?
First, our Heavenly Father would have us remember:
- He may be silent for a time but he is never still; he’s always working on our behalf.
- Even as we’re waiting on God we’re waiting with God, whose mere presence can bring peace, joy, and strength[1]–when we avail ourselves.
- There’s always purpose in wait-time, including the opportunity for our prayer lives to be intensified. We also tend to cling more firmly to God’s promises during a season of waiting, and find our character refined.
- Even delays are part of his goodness as God accomplishes his plan—a plan that may very well include others, not just ourselves.
- “If God waits longer than you would wish, it is only to make the blessing doubly precious”—Andrew Murray.
Such affirmations provide expectation and hope for me; I pray they provide the same for you.
Second, our Heavenly Father would have us purposefully occupied as we wait.
- Delight in him. Contemplate his character traits and his glorious activity in the past. Grow in awareness of his presence.[2]
- “Harvest the holy in the hollow desert times.”[3] We can use a season of waiting for growing our character, developing such traits as perseverance and spiritual strength, the ability to live above our circumstances, and more.
- Trust God’s timing. He is never too late, and he never makes mistakes. What happens while we’re waiting may be more important than what we’re waiting for.
- We can live in a receptive mode, enjoying the good he’s providing today while waiting for his perfect plan to unfold for tomorrow.[4]
With my mind and spirit renewed in these ways, I’ll be able to sit back with more contentment, less impatience, and enjoy the ride through life—even as I wait for God’s plan to unfold. How much more pleasant than repeating, “Are we there yet?”
No doubt he’ll be delighted too, as I demonstrate my faith.
What keeps you purposefully occupied as you wait for God’s timing? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Notes:
[1] Isaiah 26:3, Psalm 16:11, Philippians 4:13
[2] To grow in awareness of God’s presence we contemplate his Word, the Bible. We turn our thoughts to him, conversing with him, offering praise, gratitude, and worship—all day long.
[3] Jean Wise blogs at www.healthyspirituality.com , but this particular quote comes from one of her thought-provoking books, Christmas Crossroads, p. 41.
[4] Lamentations 3:25
Photo credits: Nancy Ruegg; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.heartlight.org.
Work keep me occupied also service to others
Very useful strategies, Brenda. When we’re purposefully engaged, impatience has less chance to fester. We’re too busy to worry about the waiting! Thank you for sharing your example!
Oh, Nancy, how your words here have reinforced what I just declared in my last blog! I don’t understand God’s timing, and the patience I need to employ in the meantime, but I do know it’s meant for my growth and good. May we rejoice in the moment and wait contentedly for His nudge to move forward. His plans will never fail us.
Blessings, my friend!
AMEN, Martha! You’re demonstrating mature waiting for us: affirming what you know to be true instead of complaining about your circumstances, and rejoicing in the blessings you enjoy, even while enduring the discomfort of waiting. I pray God’s peace, comfort, and even joy over you during this difficult season!
I really like that sentence: He may be silent for while but He is still working on our behalf. Reminds me of Daniel’s prayer.
Daniel 9:23 perhaps? I’m also reminded of Isaiah 65:24–“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Praise God for his gracious attentiveness!
Thank you very much for this mighty post which is certainly spiritually uplifting as it teaches us to have patience as we eagerly wait for his grace for the accomplishment of our next project.Truly the feeling of his presence is sufficient for all of us to be inspired.Take Care. 🌹🙏😊
Thank you, Francis. You are so right: just the awareness of God’s presence with us offers peace and strength!. I praise God he is an abiding Heavenly Father–not just a deity observing from afar!
Oh, that Andrew Murray quote is so tender. Thank you for this encouraging post, Nancy! Wait-time and trust: such practical, quieting keys to the kingdom. I always need reminding.
I need frequent reminders also. So glad you found tender encouragement in the Andrew Murray quote, Laurie!
‘A toddler in God’s family.’
And I’m grateful to be included, still learning how to walk upright …
😉
Amen, Linda! (One day we’ll be FLYING–I’m sure of it!)
Great illustration ❤️
Love studying His word and spending time in fellowship with fellow believers as I wait on His perfect timing!
Yes, studying the Word and fellowshipping with other believers both help greatly to keep our spirits uplifted as we wait. Thank you for your wise and helpful suggestions, Alicia!
Yes, waiting on the Lord is a difficult but necessary aspect of our growth.
And just knowing that–even embracing it–can refresh our perspective. To wait with faith is to grow in faith. Thank you, Anna!
What a comforting and reassuring post, Nancy. And just yesterday I came across this quote: “Your wait is where God is setting up His great!” (Kelly Balarie) and posted it on my timeline. I love when devotions from different sources show up for me at the same time! My love to you and Steve!
Such a clever quote–Love the wisdom packaged in rhyme! Thanks for sharing, Cheri. It makes me smile too when I receive the same message from more than one source. It seems to indicate that whatever it is, God wants to make sure I don’t miss its truth!
I’m sure God often sees me often (always?) as I see a toddler. lol.
I love your wisdom here:
With my mind and spirit renewed in these ways, I’ll be able to sit back with more contentment, less impatience, and enjoy the ride through life—even as I wait for God’s plan to unfold. How much more pleasant than repeating, “Are we there yet?”
You feel like toddler too?! Thanks for coming over to my blog to play! P.S. I do apologize for the delayed response–August was a busy month of house guests and a getaway!
Ah Nancy, what an insightful post. Our journey is long and often discouraging through desert times. How wonderful to know that the Lord is with us every step of the way, and working on our behalf. But that quote by Jean Wise really spoke to me today. “Harvest the holy in the hollow desert times.” It’s the only way to get through them!
Thank you, Sheila. Praise God you found insight here! And I’m so glad Jean’s beautiful quote spoke to you. I think you’d love her blog too. (A link is included in the Notes at the end of the post. )