Waiting

I don’t know about you, but I’m not good at waiting, particularly like waiting in line.  Every person in front of you and every person in back of you is wondering how long this is going to take. In the grocery line, does that checker have to be so nice to every person?  If he or she could be a little less friendly, and pay attention to the task at hand, maybe we could get through this line.  You know at this point if you decide to change to the next line over, that you will be the last person out the door.

There are other kinds of waiting. Waiting for Christmas. Waiting for your birthday. Although, the higher the number the less exciting it is.  Recently we invited the Liberty Quartet to our church in Grand Coulee. This has been exciting. The anticipation started long before the day arrived. The excitement started in February when we received a text and a date. The closer the date the more excited everyone was.  The day before, some wanted to be there before the bus showed up.

I have to admit that at 4:00pm when that big bus pulled up to the upper parking lot in Grand Coulee, it was exciting. Last year they came early, and we took them on the Grand Coulee Dam Tour. It was fun for them and for us. This year we are simply having the concert and going out to eat with them afterwards. The restaurant stays open for us because in little towns you don’t have many options to eat out.

The concert was fabulous.  The newest member is a 22-year-old from Florida. He is amazing!  He sings Tenor and my can he belt those high notes.   I love them all and have known most of them for years.  This is 3^rd year for us!  We are blessed.  We all go out to eat together.  What fun we had.  I set my phone down on the table to take care of business.  When I came back to the table, Doran Ritchey picked up my phone and took 3 pictures of himself, making faces.  I pick up my phone and find those pictures, and it makes me laugh.  Now the wait is back on.

There are other kinds of waiting. Waiting to be ordained.  I was all done with the classes and passed the interview for ordination, then COVID-19 hit, and we had to wait a whole year.  I uninvited my family, but some friends came anyway.

There is another kind of waiting that seems to take forever.  Waiting on God. This requires a Spiritual discipline that involves trusting God’s timing, and God’s strength.   Active waiting is characterized by faith, patience and hope.  Waiting for God is actively seeking God through prayer and Scripture while continuing to be faithful and obedient. Ask God for wisdom and guidance. Continue to live a faithful life while serving others in love.  Waiting is hard work.

Psalms 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.  My favorite verse is Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.

Next time you are waiting, remember these verses.  They give you strength for the journey so that you can look back and see where the Lord has held you up.

Blessings,

Pastor Wanda