As a child I have fond memories of family get togethers especially when something exciting was planned for after the meal. Sometimes it was playing a game or going for a swim. Even just going to sit under the shade trees after Sunday lunch at my grandmother’s to snap beans and hear her stories of when she grew up was something I always looked forward to. Getting to the games, stories, swimming at the lake or whatever fun we were planning to do was extremely hard for me. I wanted to rush through the meal and get to the fun. My patience was thin and waiting was hard. From squirming in my seat through the second helpings of others to asking over and over if we were all done yet making my dad madder and madder, I would become so hyper focused on getting on with it I invariably got in trouble more than I was allowed to enjoy the fun. It was as if I thought if I could distract everyone from that second piece of pie they would give in and away we would go into the fun zone. It never worked. While we can most certainly will ourselves to be patient for a time, it is how we live, think, converse, care for ourselves during it all that counts. Make it a time worth reflecting on by remembering God’s timing cannot be rushed. Seize this time with a determined attitude to embrace the positive and find yourself at peace abiding in Him and not your circumstance
As I reflect on this time in my life, I often wonder what I missed in the way of conversations, stories, news just because I wanted to get to the next thing. I didn’t even take the time to enjoy my favorite foods at the time. What I would give to have another Sunday meal at my grandmother’s eating her fried chicken, but she has been gone a long time. Wish I had savored those moments more, listened more, and, in my waiting for fun, enjoyed the time well spent more with an attitude of Patience and Thanksgiving. Let us always remember our current situations too shall pass. Seasons of difficulty don’t last forever. There is always something thankful, hopeful, and praise worthy in even the most unfair circumstances. We must be willing to set ourselves aside and make room for the patience as it always never comes easy. See the waiting as an opportunity to learn something about yourself that you can change, make better, adjust to, and find the positive to focus on with calm presence. Don’t miss your opportunity to grow in faith, as a person, and seek guidance during the waiting season by moving beyond it in thought to future plans. Pray for help in having and maintaining a good attitude in the midst of troubled times.
“Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” Roman’s 12:12