Saturday, February 6, 2010

The Waiting

In the words of that famous theologian, Tom Petty, "The waiting is the hardest part." I couldn't help but think of those lyrics today as my husband and about 20 others waited all day in the Miami airport. They were waiting for a plane to come to Miami from the frozen tundra up north, so that they could fly to Port-a-Prince,Haiti. All day long we texted and called him. "Any news about the plane yet?" "Are you still in Miami?" The plane didn't make it. "Hopefully tomorrow", they were told. Anxious to get to their destination, they left the airport to spend another night in a hotel in Miami, instead of a tent in Haiti.
I started thinking about how much of our lives are spent waiting. Waiting in lines, waiting in traffic, waiting for our kids to hurry up, waiting for someone to arrive or leave, waiting for good news...or bad, waiting, waiting, waiting.
So what do we do with all that time we spend waiting? Maybe God has a purpose for us during that time. Maybe He wants us to speak to that lady in front of us in line, maybe He wants us to speak to Him while we wait in traffic, maybe He just wants to slow us down so we don't speed through life and forget to notice some of it's greatest blessings.
Perhaps our lives are not so much about the destination, as the journey. So next time you're stuck somewhere waiting, instead of getting frustrated and anxious, stop and look around. Maybe God has something to show you. Maybe the waiting will be the best part!

3 comments:

  1. I couldn't agree more Cathy - your post brought these lyrics to mind: "I will serve You while I'm waiting; I will worship while I'm waiting." He has us waiting for a purpose. Praying for Eric, Josh and the others as they travel to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a people in need.

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  2. I needed to read this today. God led me to your post... that's for certain.

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  3. Cathy,
    I so love the whole concept of "worship while I'm waiting". It is so hard to do sometimes and we get caught up in what we want for God to do during those "quiet" times. But it is a wonderful reminder. Thank you. I am praying for Eric to return soon.
    I love you.

    Renee

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