The waiting game

Patience.  The word itself makes me start to squirm. I, like a lot of people, hate to wait.  I realized recently that the main reason that I often cut it too close for appointments or meetings and end up being late is because I hate the idea of getting somewhere early and having to wait. 

Several years back I needed to find a full-time job. I heard through the grape vine that that there was a possibility that the Production Director at the church that I was attending was leaving and his job would soon be available.  It was a great solution for me since I already spent a lot of time volunteering in that department.  I was excited but weeks and weeks went by and the church administration had not posted the job and there was no indication of when it might happen. I was feeling the pressure to find something quickly and my husband was encouraging me to look elsewhere.  I knew that the production job was the job for me.  I remember being so upset with God because I could see the perfect fit but He was not moving fast enough for me.  Ever been there?

I distinctly remember the day that I said to myself, "Fine, obviously this is not going to happen anytime soon so I will just go find a job myself." I was definitely hoping that God would overhear me. I thought to myself that I would show God and my husband that I was fully capable of finding something on my own it and making it happen all by myself.

Caution: I do not recommend taking matters into your own hands and/or thinking that you can "show" God anything. 

I did go out and find a job in a call center of a uniform company but it was the most miserable two working weeks of my life!  It was the only time I have left a job without notice.  I'm not proud of that, but it was that bad!

The day I quit, I went home and dissolved into tears apologizing to God and surrendering my plans to Him.  It was such a huge lesson to me.  Two days later the job at the church came through.

Even though that experience was a little blip on the map of my life it was a lesson I tucked away in my heart and when I feel anxious and tempted to settle for less than what I know God has promised for me I remember those long two weeks in that dingy call center and the lesson I learned about waiting on Him.

So many times in life we quit believing or holding out for the best just shy of it coming to pass.  Don't be tempted to settle for less.  Hang on and hold out for the best!

Psalm 27:13-14   

I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart be strong. Yes, wait for the Lord. New Life Version (NLV)