When your wait is over, will you be ready to roll?

 I’m tired of waiting.

I recently had foot surgery, so I’m hobbling around in a boot waiting for my foot to heal.

My son moved 7 hrs from home and we can’t schedule a visit until March.

We need some repair work done around the house, but we can’t start until (1) we have the funds, and (2) the weather breaks.

I find myself thinking, “I can’t wait until…”

Woman on dock at lake (iStockphoto)

It’s hard for me to accomplish things in the present when my mind meanders in the future. I catch my thoughts drifting to the time when today’s problems are solved and my life is trouble-free life. (Ha!) When I snap out of my daydream and see at what’s in front of me, I sulk.

Do you ever find yourself there?

Waiting is a fact of life. Always has been. I think it’s harder for our generation, we who have instant access to so many things. Waiting can feel like an imposition, holding us back from the things (we think) we want. That childish mindset is fertile soil where seeds of discontent can take root.

The Israelites know a thing or two about discontentment and waiting. For 40 years they wandered and waited. For 40 years they whined and complained to anyone who would listen. For 40 years they frittered away their days.

I don’t want to be like them. I want to be like faithful Caleb, patiently waiting and trusting God. Caleb didn’t fritter away his 40 years in the wilderness.

So here I am today, eighty-five years old!
I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out;
I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.
Joshua 14:10b-11 (niv)

For 40 long years, Caleb waited. I’m sure there were many discouraging days. If he’s anything like me, he probably had times he felt unjustly punished. But he didn’t let that distract him. Caleb faithfully attended to the affairs of each day and directed his heart and mind toward God. When the wait was over, he was ready to roll!

Caleb’s testimony challenges me to snap out of my sulk. I still look expectantly to the future, but faithfully attend to today. When my times of waiting are over, I want to be ready to roll.

Galatians 6:9 (nlt)

What about you? Which verse or Bible hero inspires you when you have to wait?

10 Responses to When your wait is over, will you be ready to roll?
  1. Mary
    January 29, 2014 | 7:29 am

    I love this Susan!! (And you too!) I am terrible at waiting, yet, when I look back it was often those times of waiting when the Lord met me in spectacular ways. I want to be patient and wait…

    Great post friend!

  2. Anna Popescu
    January 29, 2014 | 9:39 am

    Yes, another great post, Susan! My “waiting” verse is Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in you.” This is what I hang onto the most these days, because that word “stayed” tells me to patiently wait on the Lord to move in certain situations.

    Love & blessings!
    ~Anna

    • Anna Popescu
      January 29, 2014 | 9:42 am

      Forgot to say that of course as soon as I read the title of this post, I started singing like Rich Mullins… well, um, not so much like him but my rendition of “Elijah” anyway! 😉

      BTW, I love your new blog design!

      ~Anna

  3. Jeanne Rumbley
    January 29, 2014 | 8:26 pm

    Soooo glad that you are back; I have missed your posts. Since I just finished reading Max Lucado’s, you’ll get through this, I’d have to say the verse that has really stuck with me is Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” I know that God has brought me through so many events and circumstances-good and bad- in my 63 years of life. This verse reassures me that He is in control of my life-has been from the beginning- and He still has me here so I can continue to TRY to be the best example for my family and esp. my 3 precious grandchildren. I wasn’t as close to the Lord when I was a mom, so God is giving me the opportunity to “save the lives of many people” by sharing Him in a mighty way. Whatever and how ever long my future is, I feel He has intended it for good.
    Hop around carefully,
    Mema Jeanne

  4. Debbie
    January 30, 2014 | 8:25 am

    Waiting is so very hard for me too Susan! However, as I look back over my life I can see God at work even when I thought He was silent. He works on the hearts of people which is where it begins. I’m still waiting on many things that I’m praying for but I will be patient as I learn to trust His perfect timing. I love the Scripture you included. I also love Isaiah 41:10 which I have laminated and sitting prominently next to my computer for a reminder.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

  5. Cathy Baker
    January 30, 2014 | 3:13 pm

    Have you been reading my journal, Susan? Sigh! I needed this reminder from Caleb’s story. Thank you for sharing so openly with us. Your transparency blesses us all. 🙂

  6. Kathleen Caron
    January 31, 2014 | 9:39 pm

    I get really anxious when I’m waiting for something big to begin, or end, and when I’m anxious my life falls into disarray. I need to learn how to wait productively.

  7. Beth
    February 5, 2014 | 4:00 pm

    I couldn’t help but to think of my current season of waiting. The way you ended your post said it so well… “Caleb’s testimony challenges me to snap out of my sulk. I still look expectantly to the future, but faithfully attend to today. When my times of waiting are over, I want to be ready to roll.”
    I think this is why God gave me the word Joy for the year. To faithfully attend to today. And I will be ready to roll when my hubby returns!!
    Hope you are recovering well my friend.

  8. Dave Arnold
    February 6, 2014 | 12:47 pm

    Good post! I struggle with waiting – but, honestly, it’s God’s way of telling me I’m not in control 🙂

  9. Karin Madden
    February 14, 2014 | 3:23 pm

    This is a beautiful reminder, Susan. Thank you. This is the second time in 2 days that I have stumbled across Galatians 6:9… no coincidence, I know. Waiting… Love this, my friend.