Retrospective Lily

Patience is a virtue – and waiting is easier said than done.

This week, we looked at a passage in Sunday School from the Book of Acts focused on some of the early believers ministering to Gentiles. The scripture mentions in passing that Paul and Barnabas went to visit Antioch and wound up staying for one year. (Acts 11)

It’s easy to blow right past that sentence while reading. But after processing it for the first time, I couldn’t help feeling amazed. The dedication and effort they put in is admirable – one whole year of spreading the Gospel message, one whole year of making connections and building relationships.

I wonder if they questioned themselves and their calling a few times while they were there; did they start to feel skeptical, impatient? Is this REALLY where I’m supposed to be? I bet they did because they were just people like us. Nonetheless, they persevered.

We’re always in a rush.

We pressure God to hurry up and perform miracles in our personal lives, in our churches or communities, in the world, etc. A lot of it boils down to fear – fear of failure, fear that we made the wrong choices and took the wrong life paths, fear of mediocrity.

We must learn to wait – wait and meditate. Wait for the answered prayer; meditate on God’s goodness.

Looking back on things I used to hope for that never happened – wants and needs that came to fruition after a long time – seasons when I was being prepared for something, and now, finally, I understand it –

I have come to trust God’s timing.

As I type this, my ankle is still in the healing process. I’m truly thankful to God for slow but sure improvements. I saw the doctor again yesterday, and though the originally-prescribed six weeks of clunky-boot-wearing has ended, I’ll be in a brace for a while still. [I got a custom brace this week, and it’s more comfortable than the boot, hallelujah!]

I could dwell in discouragement, wondering why things are taking so long.

Instead, I’m trying to be patient. I must allow myself time to properly heal, however long it takes. I must free myself from the expectation that it SHOULD be all better by now.

I only have one left ankle. It has served me almost 30 years and will continue to serve me once it finally bounces back. I must cherish it and treat it with the utmost kindness and respect.