I Hate Waiting…Unless It’s for Pie!

Waiting doesn’t come easily.  I’d say it’s one of humanity’s greatest weaknesses.  No one has to teach us to be impatient, and we practice it from birth.  Just ask a new mother about how frustrating it is when her newborn child cries (or screams) to be fed — without any consideration for anyone else…  Or speak with a child a few days before Christmas and ask her what she’s waiting for.   Sixteen year olds can’t wait until they can get their driver’s license; eighteen year olds count the days before high school graduation; couples anticipate their wedding ceremony after announcing their engagement; and expectant mothers know exactly how many days before their child’s due date.   These are all “normal” times of waiting for wonderful events in life, but not all waiting seems positive.

Parents wait for their child to come home safely after a long night out, or from a combat deployment, and a spouse waits for the surgeon to exit the operating room with good news.  When we don’t know the outcome of a situation, we worry and the waiting process is painful.

Scripture is chock full of examples of men and women who had to wait.  Some were expectantly awaiting God to fulfill His promises, like Abraham and Sarah.  Others were dreading what they knew to be in the future, like Noah and many of the prophets.

How are you at waiting?

Is it a “four letter word” you’re okay with, or not?  For me it depends on the circumstances.  I’m pretty patient when I’m waiting in traffic or in a line at the store.  But when I am forced to wait on God to answer a prayer, I am less patient.  The frustration sets in because of my lack of control over my circumstances.  My body might be waiting, but my heart is far from it!

We want what we want when we want it.

I ask myself, “Becky, are you waiting to see how you can make things go the way you want, or awaiting God’s powerful resolution and perfect timing?

Over the years I’ve seen my “waiting” take on different forms, and recently ran across an example in my Bible.   I keep notes and dates next to verses that have meant a great deal, and I’d like to share a particularly personal one with you now in regards to waiting.

 

 

 

 

King David recorded in Psalm 27:14- “Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.” (Amplified)

I call it a “favorite” because I am drawn back to it for encouragement again and again.  The verb David used here means not only to wait, but also:  eagerly look for, hope, expect, trust, and await.  The implication is that we remain strong in the waiting.

It’s all about the attitude while we wait.

On three occasions I dated and made notes by this verse, all in regards to our daughter.  As I read back over them I can see God’s hand as I waited on Him each time:

When she was an adolescent, I wrote her name by this verse as I was praying ABOUT how I could be the Momma she needed in a particular situation.  Sometimes we have to wait regarding a circumstance in which we want to see change.  We may not be satisfied and know we have no control, but must wait on God’s hand to move.

When she was in college, I wrote her name by this verse as I was praying FOR her health and safety.  Sometimes we wait on behalf of someone who needs God’s direction, comfort, or provision.  Again, we can’t make any changes for him or her, but we can pray and leave our requests with God for His intervention.

When she was out on her own, I wrote her name a third time by this verse as I was praying WITH her concerning her career and future.  Thirdly, we can wait with someone.  When a loved one is seeking an answer of some kind, we can consider it a privilege to join with them in the waiting.  It becomes a sweet time of support that grows our relationship.  And when the answer comes, we, too, are blessed by witnessing God’s response.

I suggest we change our attitude toward the concept of waiting.  We know God is always at work; let’s support each other to be strong and expectant.  And then we can gratefully anticipate His perfect timing and provision.

“I rely on the Lord, I rely on him with my whole being; I wait for his assuring word.  I yearn for the Lord, more than watchmen do for the morning, yes, more than watchmen do for the morning.” – Psalm 130:5-6 (NET)

So, what’s his have to do with waiting for pie, you ask?   Well, as I finish this post there is a scrumptious pie in our oven making the entire house smell amazing!

Anyone for Sour Cream Pear Pie??  Follow the link for the recipe and make one yourself while our local Lake County pears are in season.  If you don’t live in this area, check the little sticker on the ones you find in your grocery store; I bet they’re from here!

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

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