Why is waiting so dang hard?
As a child, waiting for Christmas day to arrive so we could dive into those package that were accumulating under the tree was torture.
As teenagers, waiting to take that driver’s test to see if we’d pass and get our license was another form of torture.
As adults, we have to wait on things all the time.
We wait for a job offer after an interview.
We wait to know the ultrasound results to know if we’re having a little girl or a little boy.
We wait for our kids to call us once in a while to let us know they’re doing alright.
Today, David and I are waiting.
We are waiting to hear the test results from his pathology tests.
Last week, David had another surgery to patch up a wound that was created back in August that hasn’t healed.
Because David’s legs were burned so badly, from his original accident, his right leg has always given us a bit of trouble. But after his cancer diagnosis a couple of years ago, whenever he has an open wound for very long, we worry that there might be more cancer lurking so his doctors like to schedule surgery to clean up the area and send it off to be tested by the pathology department.
I like the idea of being pro-active in the fight against cancer, but David is a little more hesitant to go back in for surgery. Ultimately, though, we both like to err on the side of caution.
So, the past week, we’ve been sticking close to home. David’s been spending most of his days, in his recliner with his legs elevated and he uses his wheelchair to get back to our room at bedtime. Can you say, “STIR CRAZY?”
For those of you who know David very well, you know he doesn’t sit still very well. He likes to be busy. But this week, we’ve lazily camped out in our family room, switching between watching a Rocky Movie Marathon and chick flicks, the Food Network and HGTV.
And we’ve waited.
Isaiah 40:31 says
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Waiting isn’t always an easy task. I don’t know about you but I like answers and I like them now, especially when it comes to the health of a loved one. But I’ve come to realize that I have an opportunity to rely on God more when I’m forced to wait.
Here are five benefits of waiting on God:
- When I’m waiting, I’m forced to slow down a bit and I tend to turn to God more.
- I listen for Him more when I’m waiting.
- I ask Him for help more often when I’m waiting, because waiting is not in my DNA.
- I thank Him for all He’s done for me when I’m waiting.
- I trust God more when I’m waiting because I realize He’s the one in ultimate control, not me.
What are you waiting on today? What do you do when you’re forced to wait?
I am in that waiting place right now. Your words encouraged me, particularly the thankfulness point. There is so much to be grateful for!
Mary- It’s not always easy to remember to focus on all we have been blessed with in the midst of the waiting game, when life is so uncertain. I continue to pray that this particular season of waiting ends soon for you and your family.