I like to think that I’m good at waiting. Good things happen to those that wait, right? This year I was able to attend a leap year birthday. The celebrant said she was celebrating her 16th birthday. She wore a crown on her head and greeted everyone there.
There was a video of her last birthday celebration. I only saw a small part of the video where the celebrant welcomed everyone as they walked into the community center for the party. The people looked familiar but much younger. The video was paused for live entertainment. On the screen was my dad smiling and standing without the help of a cane. My parents didn’t feel comfortable attending the party because they weren’t familiar with the community center. So having my parents in the video was almost like they were at the party, too.
As I looked back on that day, I thought about waiting. It’s a part of life to have to wait. We have to wait a whole year for our birthday but there are some special people who have to wait four years! Of course, they could celebrate their birthday on March 1st when there’s no February 29 but it’s not the same as celebrating on the day of their birth..
Waiting isn’t so bad for me if there is an end date. If the wait is longer than expected, then I may not handle the wait so well. I would think negative thoughts or would try to think of something to ‘help’ God make the waiting time shorter. I’m reminded of Abraham and Sarah waiting for their first born and Sarah helping God by giving her maid to Abraham. That solution didn’t turn out as she expected.
So I remind myself of Joseph and his time in jail. He could have gotten out earlier if the chief cupbearer remembered to tell Pharaoh about him. But Joseph waited for two more years before the cupbearer remembered to tell Pharaoh about him and was freed.
While waiting in jail, Joseph was being prepared to carry out God’s plan. The prison warden put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners and everything that goes on in prison. Everything he did succeeded.
It would be great if everything I did succeeded but I will settle with the fact that God is with me during the waiting and His timing is always the best. So, I’m learning to be patient while waiting because God is good and He knows what is best for me. Instead of waiting by doing nothing but complain or be frustrated, I’ll grow my spiritual muscles and personal development.
Prayer
Dear God in heaven,
Thank you for being with us while we are waiting. Help us to be patient while we wait for your perfect timing. You are a wonderful God who wants the best for us. May we be obedient to the work you planned for us.
In Your Son’s name, Amen
Verses
Genesis 15:2-5; 16:1-9; 39:19-41:36
Song
“Turn! Turn! Turn!” By The Byrds
Call to action
If you have already prayed, read the verses, and listened to the suggested song, then write down at least three moments in the past that God answered your prayers in just the right time. How many could you think of in just 10 minutes?