I’m doing some Christmas shopping at Fig Garden Village in Fresno. My daughter listed some Bath & Body items on her wish list that are on sale today. About eight customers and I wait in line. Waiting for the one clerk to purchase our items.
Two ladies are requiring far more time with their purchases than seems reasonable. The customers behind them are getting restless and anxious. They probably are thinking along the same line as me. “Only one clerk with a month until Christmas?”
When the two ladies are finally finished, one turns towards those still waiting in line and says, “Thanks for waiting.”
“No problem,” I reply.
“Like we had a choice,” the lady behind me grumbles.
I turn and around slowly and gently say, “We do have a choice in how we wait.”
Waiting. I didn’t enjoy waiting in line, but it is expected during the Christmas season.
But waiting isn’t always expected.
Waiting is difficult and challenging.
Waiting. I thought of other things I’ve waited for.
- Waiting for a new job.
- Waiting for school sites to select their Restorative Practices site
teams. - Waiting eight years for sciatica pain surgery.
- Waiting over a year to see what ministry the Lord has for my husband, Rick, after being fired from Youth for Christ due to Covid-19.
- Waiting for school sites I work with to implement restorative practices with fidelity.
- Waiting for 15 months for another health diagnosis.
- Waiting to see a surgeon next week.
I rely on the Lord who directs my path. Even waiting for His leading is difficult. Frustrating. Complicated. Challenging. Exhausting.
Waiting. I recall my words. “We do have a choice in how we wait.”
From waiting at a stoplight to a major life change. Waiting for the Lord’s leading, I can choose how I will wait.
I can wait on the Lord and answer, “No problem,” or I can grumble, “Like I have a choice.”
Waiting. What are you waiting for?
Waiting. How will you wait?
Just waiting.
Sources
Image source: Waiting…-Poetry-Book-1-2015121508 [freesvg.org].