Why We Wait

I answered the ringing phone. My son called from the hospital to inform us  his wife was in labor. He promised to keep us informed of developments. My husband and I smiled, expecting to hear good news later that day. Throughout the day, we thought of them, but we heard nothing further. Then at night we placed a phone by our bed to answer their call. Silence.

The next morning, my son called to tell us that the baby still hadn’t arrived. Although we were disappointed, we weren’t alarmed. However, when he called later that day to tell us the doctor would deliver the baby by Caesarean, we prayed earnestly for God’s help. Finally, six hours later, we heard the good news that mother and baby were doing fine! We were greatly relieved and, of course, jubilant.

Why the wait?

After this nerve-wracking day of waiting, we wondered if God might have had a purpose in it. After all, everyone has to wait at times.  Delays are a normal part of life. Could God orchestrate them to teach us and shape us?

Looking back, we know the experience definitely stretched our patience a bit. Most of all, we were reminded that God is in control, and He brings results in His own time. The perfect time.

Sometimes the delay in our path is for our own safety.

I’m reminded of an incident that happened decades ago when I was driving my car. My child in the back seat started screaming and wouldn’t stop. A sniff soon told me he needed a diaper change. Therefore, I pulled off the road and changed him. This whole procedure took ten minutes to complete after I strapped him back into his car seat. I regretted being late for a meeting until I came to a certain intersection in town. Only moments before, a  terrible accident had  occurred there. My mouth gaped when I realized that, had I not been held up, I surely would have been in that accident! That ten minute delay saved my life.

Waiting produces character.

At other times, God uses those periods of waiting to develop more perseverance,  endurance, or patience in us. When I stand in a long line, I realize that God may be using this situation to sculpt me into a person more like Jesus. However, my plans run into snags quite often.  (Apparently, God has a lot more work to do in my life.)

Waiting can be a blessing.

Those snags can prove to be a good thing, however. For example, if you lose a bid on a house, maybe it’s because God doesn’t want you to have that place. Perhaps He has a better one in mind for you. This was the case when I searched online for comforters. The one I wanted was out of stock. However, I’m glad I had to wait! I found a better one later at a cheaper price.

Waiting brings a promise.

When we wait, we can trust God to be faithful. In fact, He gives those who wait a promise. In Isaiah 40:31 He says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”