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We spend a lot of time waiting on something or someone. My husband waits for me to get ready to go somewhere. Sometimes that role is reversed.

I spend quite a bit of time waiting for a stop light to change to green or for oncoming traffic to clear out so I can make my turn.

Recently, we waited for the mail to bring us copies of photos taken by our son when he was camping. The mailer arrived wrapped in plastic. It had gotten damaged in transit, taking extra time to make it to our door.

Expectant parents wait for the blessed event when they get to hold their precious little one for the first time. Our wait was a little bit longer; our son was two weeks late.

Right now, half of our home state is under a ‘do not burn’ order due to our lack of rain. Each time a system comes in from the west, the rain goes to the north and west of us and seems to drench that part of our state. So, we wait for the next weather front.

Children wait for their birthdays and Christmas. A woman I rode to work with had a son whose birthday came the same week as Christmas. He would make himself physically ill with excitement as the days drew closer.

As children of God, we read words of the risen Christ tell his followers, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4b-5, NIV)

Why do we have to wait?

We have to wait because the time is not right for us to receive that which we ask. Sarah got impatient with her wait and ‘took matters into her own hands.’ The world still deals with the animosity between the descendants of the son of her maid servant and those of the child God called the child of promise. Even Jesus’ most loving act for mankind happened when the time was right. (Romans 5:6)

What causes our uneasiness as we wait?

Sometimes we don’t understand the circumstance. We don’t always see the full picture; we see a very minute slice of it. God tells us that His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8)

One of my friends has a son who has special needs. This summer she applied for him to attend a camp that specialized in children with his need. He wasn’t accepted. She didn’t understand. As I type this the temperature for our city reached 105 degrees. She posted a message on Facebook that she was glad her son wasn’t at that camp. He couldn’t have taken the heat.

What can we do as we wait for answers/action from the Lord?

We can pray for others. We can pray for guidance for ourselves.

We can read our Bibles with an eye out for specific passages to help us understand why we need Him to work on our request.

We can ask a trusted friend to pray for us and possibly pray with us. Sometimes I when I am on the phone with a Christian friend and they have a need, I ask if I can pray for them right then. I have had times when a friend will ask me if he or she can pray for me right at the time we are talking.

Dear Lord Jesus:

When we have to wait for your answer to our request, please allow our hearts to remain tender and let us see the underlying message that we are to learn.

Guide us as we wait to receive Your answer for our need. Prepare us as we commune with You through Your Word. Hear us as we petition You for others. We will give You the praise. In the name of Jesus, we pray. AMEN.

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Mercy and not Sacrifice (Sept. 30, 2010)