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Waiting

This past week my wife had a medical procedure.  Don't worry. Everything is fine.  However, the day was an interesting test of patience.

We arrived for check in at her scheduled time of 11:00 am.  After three hours of waiting they finally brought her back to do pre-op procedures.  I was not permitted to join her because of COVID precautions.  We then waited another three hours. After six hours of waiting she was finally getting the procedure we went in for. Of course, the procedure only took minutes to perform. 

As the day and waiting dragged on, I grew frustrated and impatient. Minutes seemed like hours and hours like days. As frustration turned to irritation, I could feel it filling my heart with a feeling I didn't like.  Do these people have no respect for my time?  Do they just not care about other people's schedules? I have kids who need their parents to pick them up. I'm hungry. I have things I want to do. Instead of doing these things we are here stuck, waiting.

Then, as I am wallowing in my self-righteousness, Julie shares that all of the waiting was a result of  busy emergency procedures that kept coming in. Julie was not a high risk case, so each time a life threatening patient came in, she got delayed. How selfish of me.  These doctors are saving lives and I'm worried about waiting. 

Do I get the same way with God?  I'm so self-centered that I fail to see the people around me. I want what I want and I don't want to wait. That's alot of "I"s. Too many "I"'s to even be able to begin to focus on God's people, let alone love them. Meanwhile, God is busy working on me and others in the waiting. Unfortunately, I'm so self absorbed I can't see it. 

God likes to do His work in the waiting. As Moses wandered the desert waiting to enter the promised land, God was busy preparing Joshua to lead His people. Moses did alot of waiting (40 years). He wanted to go to the promised land, but that's not what God had in store for him.  In his waiting, a man would be molded to be the leader who would deliver His people to the promised land. 

While we were at the hospital for Julie to get treated, God was certainly at work through the doctors and nurses.  He was also busy working on me.  A callused heart was softened as my eyes were opened to the world around.  God has a way of working in the waiting.

God is always at work.  In my impatience, He is working. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Our simple minds focus on us and our current situation. God is working in everything for all of His people.  

If God has you in a period of waiting and you are growing impatient, rest easy. Remain calm. God is at work. Look for the good all around you and you will see His purpose. 

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,

Matt




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