I hate waiting. I’ve always been somewhat of an impatient person and, while age has mellowed me a little, I’d much rather spend my time doing what I want rather than waiting on something/someone. I remember the year I turned 16. In the week’s leading up to that birthday, I reminded my Dad frequently I was ready to get my learner’s permit and begin driving. A few days after my birthday, he walked through the front door of our home and tossed me a driving manual from our local DMV. I could have burst from the excitement! I quickly set about studying. Within a day or two, I informed him I was ready and pushed him to allow me to take the test. Knowing I wasn’t ready, he told me to go study more. I studied another two days and returned to him. I received the same answer as he stressed to me the importance of studying and learning the manual to the best of my abilities. I took another few days and studied longer and harder. When I returned the third time he sat me down and began grilling me with questions at our kitchen table. Thankfully, I got most of the questions correct and he felt I was ready. I went and took the test and passed. Had he allowed me, I would have taken the test much earlier and failed it. He knew I wasn’t ready and required me to wait, study, and prepare.

We love to rush our lives along so we can get to the parts we’re excited about but sometimes, things just take time. Broken bones take time to heal. Trust that has been lost takes time to restore. Broken relationships aren’t easily mended. If you rush any of the aforementioned processes, you’ll end up in a mess.  Years ago, Heinz ketchup presented a commercial I’ve never forgotten. In the commercial, a young guy enters a restaurant and places his usual order. While he waits, he holds a ketchup bottle in the air leaned to the side in anticipations of his food. Everyone knows the ketchup will soon drop out of the bottle and they wait to see if the cook will get his food to him before the red mixture ends up on the table surface. The food reaches him just as the first drop pours out and lands on his burger. Everyone laughs as the narrator of the commercial states, “Heinz. The best things come to those who wait.” James is speaking on the subject of faith and endurance (waiting) when he states in chapter 1 verse 12, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” Waiting isn’t a bad thing. While frustrating, it’s also necessary. You’ll always benefit from waiting.

Closing remarks and encouragement: While it may seem a nuisance, some things in our lives will take time– and there’s nothing we can do to rush the process. If you’re in a waiting season, stop and enjoy the scenery. Whining accomplishes nothing. I assure you, there are valuable ways you can spend your time and valuable lessons that can still be learned. Chances are, your Dad is requiring you to study more because He knows you’re not ready for the test yet. As Heinz so graciously reminded us in the 80’s, “The best things come to those who wait.”

Have a blessed week, my friends!

Photo by Charisse Kenion on Unsplash