Life often seems so much about doing, doesn’t it?
We make our To Do lists, either before we go to bed at night or first thing in the morning. Maybe you like S.M.A.R.T. goals or a bullet planner or a yellow legal pad to organize all that you have to accomplish.
Then there are the seasons of waiting.
Waiting for something as simple as an email. A package to be delivered. Or something more significant like waiting for a diagnosis — one that allows a sigh of relief or one that prompts the question, “What do we do next?”
We’re not always waiting on someone else’s action.
Sometimes we’re waiting on ourselves.
I’m in such a season right now. I have a decision to make, but it’s the kind of decision that can’t be rushed.
On the surface, the situation I’m facing seems to require a simple yes or no answer from me.
But there are too many questions that have to be answered before I can determine my answer. There are other people besides me who will be affected by my answer.
I’m sifting the situation through my values – thank you, Wise Guy – because whatever I choose has to align with what I believe in. Things like honesty and family and trust. I also never rush a decision if there’s no clear direction forward.
I’ve come to realize that waiting isn’t inaction.
Have you ever seen chess players study their chess pieces during a game? They’re not only pondering their next move, but also considering possible future moves, as well as their opponent’s moves. Of course, they can’t know with certainty what the person sitting across from them might choose to do. But they wait. Consider. Weigh their options. And make the wisest choice they can.
Pivotal life decisions are certainly more important than moves on a chess board. It’s true we can’t know how someone else will react to our choices, our actions. All the more reason to be confident in our decisions.
Waiting – prayerfully, patiently – is sometimes the wisest of options.
Choosing to Embrace a Season of Waiting https://bit.ly/33CnGBW #encouragement #hope Click To Tweet 'Waiting does not mean doing nothing. Waiting is a time of listening.' Quote by author Lisa Clements. https://bit.ly/33CnGBW #waiting #perspective Click To Tweet
Comments 6
Waiting on the devil’s dance,
waiting in the rain,
waiting for another chance,
waiting for the train
that will take me far beyond
where I may be now,
but I’d cover lots more ground
riding on a cow,
and still that doesn’t obviate
this sad old waiting season,
and in my thoughts so profligate
I can’t yet see the reason
that I’m waiting in this place
for my God to show His face.
Author
Good morning, my friend.
I see a reason for your waiting: You’ve encouraged many people during this time — me included. You’ve been a friend to many — including me. And I am thankful.
Praying for you today.
Waiting also usually means maturing. I see blossoms now and will soon see young apples on trees but a lot of waiting and sunshine and rain make them swell and redden and develop delicious qualities worth waiting for. Good post, Beth.
Author
Such a good point, Dee. May we not waste the waiting seasons.
Waiting is hard, but it can be a blessing, too.
Author
Denise: The challenge is finding the blessings in the waiting …