Waiting

The average American spends dozens of hours every year waiting…in lines, in traffic, on hold, for appointments, for internet connections, and much more. By the time we reach senior status, lifetime figures set the number at one entire year or more of our life on earth spent just waiting.

And what do we do during our wait times? Frequently for me, that time is spent complaining, fidgeting, pacing, screen scrolling news and messages, making lists. Maybe not a total waste of time, but not really well-spent either.

To wait sounds passive, like something imposed on you that you have little to no control over. But waiting is what we make of it. It can be an active choice on our part, a useful and positive force in our lives. When we are in waiting mode, we can and should be multi-tasking, whether in thought or deed: preparing, forgiving, loving, healing, pondering, hoping, sharing, empathizing, expecting, listening, receiving, praying.

Waiting needs patience on our part. Waiting is another name for the virtue known as patience. Patiently waiting allows us to be present in the moment—not anticipating our next words or actions, not looking back in regret—but a source of rest, refreshment, and hope.

How can we most productively use our waiting time, not just during these final days of Advent, but every season, every day? Why not invite the Holy Awaited One into our waiting. This is what He is waiting for. God is always patiently waiting for us to answer his knock and invite him in, today and every day.

May you wait with purpose, expectation, and anticipation what God has in store for you. 

Praying for peace and joy in your waiting hearts.

Merry Christmas!