“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5

Recently getting home I could tell Katie was already there. The kitchen light was on and her purse was on the table. I hollered out, “I’m HOOOOOOOOOME!” She was either busy or didn’t hear me. But no matter, I had to run outside again anyway. After coming back in, I asked her a question…and got no answer! Then I started to get nervous!

I searched the house, only to find she wasn’t inside. Silly me, she was probably out back! So I went looking. Nothin’! The last place I looked was in the garage, since that isn’t her usually domain anyway. When I opened the door, I saw that her car was gone! My keen awareness and deductive skills led me to figure she went somewhere, without her purse!! So I started thinking some more! While I did…I waited!

Trying to write today is really frustrating. My computer froze… AGAIN… and I am now WAY behind! I spent ALL those minutes… WAITING! By this time in my life, I should be good at it. But I’m not! In fact, I seem to be less patient as time goes by. Losing time on a writing deadline is 1 thing. Losing and having to wait for my wife…or my God… that’s a WHOLE OTHER THING!

Over the years I’ve pondered the subject of absence and waiting. Does “Absence make the heart grow fonder?” Or is “out of sight out of mind,” more true? I’ve learned that the answer lies in how important that missing something really IS, to me. As time ticked by, my head did some weird things. “Did she leave me? Has she been kidnapped? Has she been in an accident? How will I find out?” It’s even MORE serious with God!

I think concern and worry are step cousins. BOTH start off with FEAR as their battery! After a while, anger starts to fuel the fire as I wonder how they could just LEAVE ME without ANY NOTICE! I calm down when I remember that God… ESPECIALLY GOD…wanders away ON PURPOSE!!! Just to see what I will do! So I did what I have learned actually WORKS! I spend time remembering the promises!

I was there when Katie said “I do!” She has never given me reason to doubt her. After many years of reading God’s Word, I have learned that HE often said, “I will!” Then I relax from the inside out and simply talk to Him, recalling His promised words to me. And like a quiet wisp of air…there He is! Just then, I just heard the garage door open! And all is well!

How well do YOU wait?

P.S. A thought just hit me and I feel foolish. I am reminded that some people won’t ever hear that sound of the garage door again. I don’t know NEARLY as much about waiting on God as YOU do. Though I know enough to know that HE is always there! Ya know? I’ll think I’ll shut up now!