Enjoy this fun music video by MercyMe – Hurry Up and Wait, I laugh every time I watch! Clever and relatable.

Waiting is hard. As I write this, a dear friend is in surgery and has been waiting for over a year for this day. Not something she planned, but still is eager to begin a necessary journey. One form of waiting is over however, a new type of waiting is on the horizon, healing. Will you pray for her!

You grow in grace while you wait. Maybe not right away, after many years of practicing it might come easier? Not necessarily. Do we try to win at waiting? Get there first, arrive before anyone and, wait. Once arrived at the place of waiting, we wonder why we rushed to get there in the first place!

This growing in grace mindset requires foresight and patience. Knowing we need grace before we can grow leads us in a wise direction. Many of my rushing-to-wait moments have taken me on a humble ride that came to an abrupt halt of reflection. Pre-pandemic it seems that rushing was the norm. Today, I think we are catching up with ourselves unexpectedly, that’s a good thing.

One particular occasion before quarantine became a common term, I found myself rushing-to-wait with my eldest daughter. We needed photo updates and renewals of health cards at the local government office. I rushed to pick her up at school, rushed into the parking lot with hopes of a spot tailored for a quick in and out all so I could rush us inside to get her back for the next class, phew. I can picture you shaking your head! We scored a spot at the front, closer to the goal of being first in line to avoid waiting and waiting. As we mildly jogged (laughing at myself) toward the door we noticed an elderly couple very calmly and slowly opening the door before us. I knew where they were going, I could see the documents in hand and immediately thought about getting in line first. This is embarrassing, I will continue. They went to the elevator, we took the stairs. They won, exited the elevator first, grabbed a ticket first, sat down first and we were a distant second. Along with everyone else in the waiting room, we sat and waited. I rushed to sit and wait.

I laughed to myself as I watched them quietly settle in and wait for their number to be called. They had no idea the secret race to renew our cards that was taking place. Getting my daughter back to school and me back to my teaching was priority. I didn’t have time to wait. This was a shake-my-head, realign-your-heart moment. We completed our task. I checked my phone and noticed we might have time for a quick coffee before heading back to school. As we walked out of the office, there they were, this precious couple making their way to the elevator. Yes, in answer to your question we took the stairs (confession, and much to the annoyance of my kids, I prefer the stairs over elevators). The doors to the elevator opened, they walked out and we were all in the foyer again and this time I wanted to congratulate them on their ‘win’ and apologize for rushing.

I did not win at the waiting game. Coffee in hand, daughter back in class I was thankful for the reminder that waiting is a part of God’s grace in my life. Rushing-to-wait mentality won’t provide me with the thought space to stillness. I love this verse in 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (ESV). I need to grow in grace by rushing to wait on the Lord! I was running on my strength that day, a little bit of me, me, me. Anyone relate?

This life-giving verse is one I must turn to often,

“Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
 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. Isaiah 40:30-31

Waiting is hard. My dear friend will be recovering in the hospital for at least a few weeks, will not be rushing. She will be patiently recovering and healing. There is no rush here. When she is able to come home, to her own bed, her loves will be there for her, every step of the journey. That includes me and others that will do what we can to serve her while she waits. Oh, how painful waiting can be for all. Let’s wait on the Lord to renew our strength, today.

2 responses to “Growing in grace while you wait.”

1. Perfect, timely reminder for every reader. I’m one?

   Reply

   • Yes, we all need to grow!! I learned patience from you xox

     Reply